Experiences, Needs, and Barriers in Stroke Recovery among Working-Age Patients and Their Caregivers: A Transition from Hospital to Home

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences, needs, and barriers in stroke recovery among working-age patients and their caregivers during the transition from hospital to home. Interpretive phenomenology was employed as the methodological framework, guided by the Transitional Care Model. Participants were purposively selected, comprised 13 working-age stroke survivors and 13 primary caregivers. Data were collected through two-phase of in-depth interviews: Before discharge and home visits two to four weeks post-discharge. Data analysis followed Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña's content analysis approach. Three major themes emerged. First, transitional adjustment experiences were characterized by a profound identity crisis linked to occupational role loss and significant emotional burden among unprepared caregivers. Second, participants reported unmet supportive needs, including tailored information and self-management skills, return-to-work support, and accessible psychosocial assistance. Third, barriers to rehabilitation included post-stroke depression, economic and environmental constraints, and critical gaps in information transfer between hospital and community health teams. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop transitional care programs specifically responsive to the unique needs of working-age stroke survivors within the Thai healthcare context.