Implementation of evidence-based interventions according to the Swedish National Guidelines for Strokecare: a nationwide survey among physiotherapists.

Objective: To investigate (i) to what extent physiotherapists (PTs) working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the stroke care chain have implemented interventions according to the national guidelines for stroke (NGS), (ii) facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation, and (iii) differences between various care settings.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Subjects: 148 PTs working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the care chain in Sweden.

Methods: Data were collected by a web-based survey.

Results: Task-specific training for walking (80-98%), impaired motor function (64-100%) and fall prevention (73-92%) were most implemented. Factors that facilitated implementation were: important to comply with the NGS, that PTs had confidence to perform the interventions, and that interventions were clearly described. Limited time, lack of resources, no clear goals or routines at the workplace hindered the implementation. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the settings existed. Municipal and primary care reported most challenges in implementing the NGS and providing evidence-based interventions.

Conclusion: Most interventions, with high priority according to NGS, are provided by PTs working in stroke rehabilitation, although differences in various parts of the care chain exist. Knowledge, time, education and supportive management are important factors when implementing evidence-based interventions.