Perceptions of health professionals on structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in Ghana

Why would you ask stroke medical 'professionals'? Go to the experts(the survivors) and ask them how close they got to 100% recovery. This was a waste of time

 Perceptions of health professionals on structure and process of stroke
rehabilitation in Ghana

Authors:
Tawagidu Mohammed1,2
Gifty G. Nyante2
Joyce D. Mothabeng1
Affiliations:
1Department of
Physiotherapy, School of
Healthcare Sciences,
University of Pretoria,
Pretoria, South Africa
2Department of
Physiotherapy, School of
Biomedical and Allied Health
Sciences, University of
Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Corresponding author:
Tawagidu Mohammed,
mynder03@gmail.com

Background: Ensuring quality in the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation helps to
attain a good outcome. However, knowledge on this is limited in resource-constrained settings
such as Ghana.
Objectives:  

 

This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) views and
experiences of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in three selected hospitals in
Ghana.
 

Method:  

 

A qualitative study was carried out involving 26 HCPs directly involved in stroke
rehabilitation from three selected hospitals in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
representing the different levels of healthcare. Interviews were conducted using an
interview guide to understand participants’ views and experiences of the structure and
process of stroke rehabilitation. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic
analysis.
 

Results:  

 

HCPs reported limitations with the structure of stroke rehabilitation with regards to
the availability of rehabilitation units, bed capacity, approach to care, availability of protocol,
staff capacity development and payment systems. With respect to the process of rehabilitation,
the primary and secondary level hospitals were found not to have computed tomography (CT)
and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning equipment. Participants also reported
limitations with discharge planning, basis for discharge and post-discharge care across all
three hospitals.
 

Conclusion:  

 

This study found limitations in the current structure and process of
stroke rehabilitation, which when given some considerations for improvement, can
help improve the quality of care and thereby improve the outcome of stroke patients in
Ghana.
 

Contribution:  

 

This study provided data which helps to assess the quality of stroke rehabilitation
in Ghana.