Improving the implementation of supported stroke self-management: what does it look like and whatmakes it ‘work’ in different contexts

Background: Supported self-management (SSM), for stroke survivors and their families, is effective for improving quality of life in managing the long-term consequences of stroke. SSM is not implemented consistently, however, across community-based stroke rehabilitation services meaning that stroke survivors and their families ‘on the ground’ derive few of the reported benefits of SSM. More research is needed to understand ‘how’ SSM is implemented and delivered in community-based stroke rehabilitation to ensure that the reported benefits of SSM are fully realised in
practice.
Aim: To identify the components and outcomes of SSM in stroke and the factors influencing how SSM ‘works’ in different geographical and organisational contexts of community-based stroke rehabilitation.
Methods: The study, underpinned by Realist Evaluation, will be undertaken across three workpackages comprising Q-methodology, qualitative approaches, and ‘transferability and impact’ workshops with stroke survivors, multidisciplinary community-based rehabilitation professionals and senior stakeholders in four comparable case study sites in NHS Scotland.
Expected outcomes: The study will describe what SSM in stroke is and what makes it work in different contexts of community-based stroke rehabilitation. The study will generate valuable findings that can inform the implementation and evaluation of SSM delivered across the UK, to maximise their long-term recovery.