REHABILITATION SERVICES AMONG STROKE PATIENTS IN KOTA BHARU DISTRICT

Abstract

Background: Rehabilitation is a crucial component of the continuum of care, which ensures stroke patients have access to the most appropriate health services , when and where they need them. This study describe the different types of dependency levels and rehabilitation services received by stroke patients in after being discharged from hospitals. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 330 stroke patients admitted between January 2014 and December 2015. Patient information sheets were used to extract information on sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics and rehabilitation service received from patients’ medical record. Descriptive analysis was applied using R software. Result: Majority of stroke patients (79%) were referred to primary healthcare team for further rehabilitation at the community level. All bedridden stroke patients received home-based rehabilitation services. Seventy nine (23.9%) patients received domiciliary care services, whereas others received either nursing care visit 121 (36.7%) or outpatient service 130 (39%). Conclusion: All of the stroke patients were equitably managed considering the limitation in resources, practicability, and requirement based on the patients’ dependency levels. Further research is required to explore service outcome such as patients’ satisfaction towards those provided rehabilitation services in guiding the current service provision. Keywords: Rehabilitation, Post-stroke, Stroke, Post-stroke rehabilitation