Patient and spouse perceptions of stroke and its rehabilitation

The object of the study was to determine, in stroke patients and their spou ses, changes in their perceptions of stroke, information received about it, its management, and its rehabilitation. There were assessments on acute ad mission, on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and twe lve months after discharge. Participants were 60 twelve month stroke surviv ors who had undergone an inpatient rehabilitation programme, and 46 spouses . Their perceptions of stroke, of medical information received, of the mana gement of stroke, and of rehabilitation were assessed in a structured inter view. Stroke was predominantly perceived by participants in terms of physio logical causes and disabling consequences. Its causes were poorly understoo d, as was the role of doctors and hospitals for people with strokes. The ro le of rehabilitation was better understood. Many participants felt they wer e told little about the illness during care. Stroke patients and their spou ses adapt with varying success to their changed circumstances. This adaptat ion will benefit from better communication between medical staff and famili es in the acute and rehabilitation settings.