FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH REHABILITATION FOLLOWING STROKE

This study charted changes in patient satisfaction with their rehabili tative progress over time, and examined the relative contributions of several factors to satisfaction. Participants were assessed on admissi on to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and 12 months after d ischarge. The study was undertaken in the rehabilitation unit at Repat riation General Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia. Participants w ere 60 12-month stroke survivors who had undergone an inpatient rehabi litation programme. Satisfaction with progress in five areas of functi on was assessed using a five point rating scale. Functional outcome wa s assessed with the Australian ADL Index (competence and performance), lifestyle activities with the Frenchay Activities Index, knowledge of stroke with the Stroke Care Information Test, depression with the Zun g Self-Rating Depression Scale, family functioning with the McMaster F amily Assessment Device, and patients' expectations of rehabilitation by a qualitative assessment. Satisfaction with progress improved with time, particularly for dressing and washing, but for mobility declined after discharge. Satisfaction with progress was consistently influenc ed by the return to previous lifestyle activities, depression, family functioning, understanding of stroke, and clarity of expectations on a dmission to rehabilitation. It is important that the concept of succes sful rehabilitation acknowledges the perspective of the patient. (C) 1 998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.