Coping strategies used by hospitalized stroke patients: implications for continuity and management of care

This paper describes findings from an English study into the perceptions of multi-professional practice given by stroke patients, their informal carers and hospital staff. Unstructured interviews were conducted with nine stroke patients and eight informal carers. Case studies were developed from the interview data which formed the basis of a questionnaire designed to ascertain the aims of care for the case studies and the location of professional responsibility for meeting these aims. This was returned by 31 respondents from a range of professional backgrounds. The findings indicate that patients and carers sought out relationships with staff and other patients in order to gain information to help them understand their uncertain futures. Professional staff were reluctant to pass specific information on to patients as it might be misleading in each individual case. The uncertainty surrounding individual recovery means that supportive relationships initiated by patients and carers may need to be recognized and nurtured.