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Qualitative study explores care provider experiences and needs in stroke rehabilitation, suggesting community-based solutions.
BACKGROUND: In the Philippines, rising stroke prevalence and healthcare inequalities present a concerning outlook. While acute stroke care is prioritised, rehabilitation remains undervalued. The experiences of healthcare providers who deliver stroke support are also under-researched. OBJECTIVE(S): Our study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of care providers across multiple regions of the Philippines to inform the development of stroke support initiatives and programmes. METHODS: Forming part of the Tulong, Ugnayan ng Lingap At gabaY (TULAY) project, a qualitative descriptive design involving semi-structured interviews was used. Care providers with professional or voluntary community healthcare service delivery roles were recruited. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen participants across five regions were interviewed between June and September 2024. Three high-level themes were constructed: 1) inequitable stroke care and rehabilitation services, 2) barriers to the provision and access of stroke services and 3) desires, needs and opportunities for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Traditionally multi-level (e.g. national, community) approaches offer solutions to enhancing stroke rehabilitation in the Philippines. However, due to the devolved healthcare system, community-based initiatives, cognisant of local contexts and built together with stroke survivors, offer a promising solution to improve the lives of Filipinos following stroke.
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Leggat et al. (2026) studied this question.
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