Development of a coordinating model for home care of stroke patients by family and community care teams using the appreciation influence control technique

Abstract

Background: Stroke patients and their caregivers face huge challenges from patients’ health problems when they leave the hospital to rehabilitate at home. Objective: To develop a model for coordinating the participation of family and community care teams to support stroke patients at home. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study applying the Appreciation Influence Control technique. Purposive sampling was employed to select 120 key informants comprised of 50 family medicine members, 10 community leaders, 30 stroke patients, and 30 patient caregivers. Data collection consisted of interviews and focus group discussions. Patients and caregivers were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Data were analyzed by content analysis. Results: The coordinating model of the health care team provided standard guidelines for home care of stroke patients, improved the referral system from hospital to home, trained public health volunteers and caregivers about caring stroke patients at home, and organized community leaders to support patient equipment and rehabilitation facilities. The collaboration between the health care team and community leaders, as well as with patients and caregivers, improved the quality of life for stroke survivors.