STROKE PATIENTS EXPERIENCES OF WEEKEND DAYS SPENT ON A STROKE UNIT: A DESCRIPTIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Background: Studies have suggested that stroke patients spend a significant portion of the weekend inactive. However, patients’ experiences of this weekend time had not previously been explored; information that would be... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Studies have suggested that stroke patients spend a significant portion of the weekend inactive. However, patients’ experiences of this weekend time had not previously been explored; information that would be valuable when designing patient-centred services. This study aimed to explore weekend days on a stroke unit from the patients’ perspective.
Method:
In-depth interviews were conducted with four stroke inpatients. A descriptive phenomenological approach was applied.
Results:
Although each patient’s experience was individual, some common themes occurred. The main theme among participants regarding their experiences of weekend days on the stroke unit was that of inactivity, which led to boredom and frustration. Individual coping strategies had a significant effect, suggesting that patients who are less able to manage their own time (e.g. due to concentration issues) may require more support at a weekend to improve their experiences. Other people, particularly other patients within a shared bay and visitors, had a surprisingly large impact on the informants’ experiences.
Conclusion:
Participants’ experience of weekend days on the stroke unit involved common themes regarding inactivity, boredom and frustration. Individual coping strategies and the influence of other patients and visitors had a significant effect on the participants’ perceptions of weekends.
Application to Practice:
Awareness of these factors could help ward staff identify patients who may benefit from additional support to improve their experiences.
Reference:
Hayden (Ker), R. (2013) Stroke patients experiences of weekend days spent on a stroke unit: a descriptive phenomenological analysis. Unpublished PhD thesis. Oxford Brookes University. Oxford.