Oral Presentation Smart Strokes Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Codesigning the ‘Adherence Counselling Toolkit’ (ACT now) to promote recovery after stroke: knowledge, attitudes and needs of stroke survivors, carers, and health professionals regarding exercise adherence. (106483)

Tamina Levy 1 2 , Elizabeth Lynch 1 , Lucy Lewis 3 , Kelly Huxley 3 , Saran Chamberlain 3
  1. Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Division of Rehabilitation and Palliative Services, Flinders Medical Centre, adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Flinders University, adelaide, SA, Australia

Introduction: To benefit from physical activity and exercise following stroke, adherence to prescribed exercise programs is important. The World Health Organisation recommend the development of ‘adherence counselling toolkits’ to support health professionals assist clients to self-manage chronic conditions. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and needs of survivors of stroke, carers, and health professionals regarding exercise adherence, and co-design the ACT now Toolkit for health professionals working with survivors of stroke.

Methods: The study was completed in two stages. First, surveys were disseminated to health professionals, survivors of stroke and carers. Then, focus groups were completed with all stakeholders, and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework domains and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour model.

Results: 164 participants completed surveys and 29 participated in seven focus groups. Key adherence barriers identified in surveys were lack of health professional time and survivor of stroke capability. From the focus groups, five key themes were identified for consideration during the toolkit development process; key issues impact adherence at an individual survivor of stroke level, there are key barriers to adherence, the toolkit should include resources that promote adherence, there are skills and knowledge required by the health professional, and there are key areas of content that should be included.

Conclusion: Strategies to address the barriers impacting the development, delivery and adherence of physical activity and exercise programs were integrated into the ACT now Toolkit. The ACT now Toolkit will now be evaluated in a Hybrid Type 2 implementation-effectiveness study.

Relevance to clinical practice or patient experience: The Act now Toolkit has been developed using a co-design process, incorporating the experiences of health professionals and people with lived experience of stroke. The use of the ACT now Toolkit will promote long-term adherence, increased activity levels and health outcomes for survivors of stroke.