Decision-Making on Referral to Primary Care Physiotherapy After Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation

ObjectiveThis study aimed to acquire insight into the decision-making processes of healthcare professionals concerning referral primary care physiotherapy at time discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation.DesignA generic qualitative using an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted following interview guide.SettingSecondary centers in Netherlands: neurology departments nine hospitals and (geriatric) rehabilitation centers.ParticipantsNineteen (physiotherapists, specialist geriatric medicine, physiatrist, physician assistant) participated study. All involved decision for physiotherapy.ResultsDuring period, gather information form a complete picture survivor as basis decision-making. The on is influenced by personal factors home environment survivor, organizational within setting, intuition feeling social responsibility individual professional.ConclusionsAfter rehabilitation, many elements are considered that may influence physiotherapy. Presently, there no consensus referrals. final depends physiotherapist setting. Healthcare mentioned importance movement behavior, although if secondary prevention task physiotherapist. More research needed identify risk functional decline order develop policy addresses right group survivors.