Accessibility of physiotherapy services post-hospital discharge after stroke in Blantyre, Malawi: The patient’ perspectives
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Date
2021-12-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of mortality and acquired disability in Malawi(1).Despite
challenges faced by people with disability, studies shows that physiotherapy treatment
improves the functional status of patients with stroke by minimising impairments hence
increasing their quality of life (2). However, anecdotal evidence shows that most Malawian
patients with stroke do not attend physiotherapy services after acute hospital discharge and
the underlying reasons for such a trend are not empirically established. Therefore, this study
aims at exploring the perspectives of people with stroke with regards to accessing and
utilising physiotherapy services post-hospital discharge at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
Blantyre Malawi.
Type of the study
This research will be a cross-sectional qualitative study
Problem Statement
The principal investigator has observed that there is an increase in the number of patients
diagnosed with a stroke at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and these patients do not
return for physiotherapy services after being discharged from the hospital after acute
medical care. There is no documented evidence to show why patients with stroke do not
attend physiotherapy treatment despite given an appointment date. This study aims at
exploring the perspectives of people with stroke with regards to accessing and utilising
physiotherapy services post-hospital discharge in Blantyre, Malawi.
Objectives
To explore the patient's perspectives and experiences with accessing physiotherapy
services post-hospital discharge.
To ascertain the patient's understanding of the benefits of utilising physiotherapy
services post-hospital discharge.
To investigate challenges faced by patients with stroke on accessing and utilising
physiotherapy services post-hospital discharge.
To obtain possible solutions from the patients with stroke for the challenges they face
on accessing and utilising physiotherapy services post-hospital discharge.
Methodology
Study place
The study will be conducted in patient’s homes residing in Blantyre within 70km of the
discharging hospital Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
Study population
Discharged patients with stroke from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital between 6 weeks to
12 months during the time of study
Study period
Three months from December 2021 to February 2022
Sample size
In qualitative research, 15 interviews are recommended to reach saturation (19,20)
Data collection
In-depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire will be used to collect data from
purposively recruited participants according to the inclusion criteria.
Data Management
The recorded interviews will be transcribed verbatim for analysis. All identifiable information
for the individual participant will be removed and replaced by study code and saved in a
password computer. The anonymised data will be analysed using a thematic content
approach using both deductive and inductive methods.
Expected Findings
Financial challenges, lack of mobility aids and inadequate information as being some of the
reasons for not accessing and utilising physiotherapy services.
Dissemination
A copy of the manuscript resulting from this study will be shared with COMREC Committee.
The results will also be presented and submitted to the School of Therapeutic Sciences at
The University of the Witwatersrand. Oral presentation to the QECH Research Committee
and Physiotherapy department respectively.
Description
Keywords
Accessibility of Physiotherapy session after hospitalization