Silvio Simeone1, Marlene Z Coehn2, Serenella Savini3, Gianluca Pucciarelli4, Rosaria Alvaro5, Ercole Vellone6. 1. Department Activities Integrated Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Emergency cardiovascular - ICU Cardiac Surgery University Hospital Policlinico Federico II, Naples. Italy Correspondence: silviocecilia@libero.it. 2. Professor and Kenneth E. Morehead Endowed Chair in Nursing. Associate Dean for Research. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Nursing Science, Omaha, NE, USA. 3. School of Nursing, Sapienza University, Bracciano (RM), Italy. 4. Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 5. Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 6. Research Fellow, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: Caregiving of stroke patients has a long trajectory and the experiences of caregi- vers may change over time. Few studies have described the experience of stroke caregi- vers three months after discharge of patients from rehabilitation hospitals. This study describes the experience of stroke caregivers three months after patients are discharged home from a rehabilitation hospital. METHOD: phenomenological study RESULTS: Seven themes emerged from analysis: deeply-changed life; re-appreciation of the relationship with patient and family members; increased workload; difficulties in getting support from the national health-care system; lack of preparation for caregiving; difficulties in coordinating caregiving, family and personal life; relief after patient's recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive understanding of stroke caregivers' experience during the three months after patient discharge can support the development of educational interventions aimed at improving the caregiver preparation for the care of patients.
AIM: Caregiving of strokepatients has a long trajectory and the experiences of caregi- vers may change over time. Few studies have described the experience of stroke caregi- vers three months after discharge of patients from rehabilitation hospitals. This study describes the experience of stroke caregivers three months after patients are discharged home from a rehabilitation hospital. METHOD: phenomenological study RESULTS: Seven themes emerged from analysis: deeply-changed life; re-appreciation of the relationship with patient and family members; increased workload; difficulties in getting support from the national health-care system; lack of preparation for caregiving; difficulties in coordinating caregiving, family and personal life; relief after patient's recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive understanding of stroke caregivers' experience during the three months after patient discharge can support the development of educational interventions aimed at improving the caregiver preparation for the care of patients.