Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2025

What are the unmet stroke rehabilitation needs within priority populations in Australia? A qualitative study (121921)

Maddison C Smith 1 2 , Natasha A Lannin 3 4 , Erin Godecke 5 6 7 , Angela Dos Santos 2 8 9 , Sonia Robinson 10 11 , Kate Makroglou 1 12 , Kate Scrivener 13 , Christine T Shiner 1 2 14 , Kelvin Hill 15 , Mark W Parsons 2 8 16 , Lauren J Christie 1 12 17
  1. Allied Health Research Unit, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  2. Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Allied Health Directoriate, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  5. Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group , Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  6. Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  7. Perron Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  8. Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  9. Australian Stroke Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs Nurse Educator , St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  11. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs Nurse Educator , St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  12. Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
  13. Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  14. St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research and Health Equity Research Division, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  15. Stroke Foundation, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  16. Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  17. Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background: Almost half a million Australians live with the effects of stroke, yet there are significant inequities in rehabilitation provision. Stroke survivors from priority populations, such as people who are First Nations, culturally or linguistically diverse, younger or living regionally, have disproportionately less access to comprehensive rehabilitation and support in life after stroke. There is a significant knowledge gap in how these groups engage with stroke rehabilitation services. The aim of this study is to explore the unmet rehabilitation needs of stroke survivors in Australia to inform future equitable models of care.

Methods: Nineteen stroke survivors completed an online survey and shared their hospital experience after stroke and long-term unmet needs. Thirteen of these stroke survivors from priority populations were purposively selected for an interview.

Results: Preliminary themes identified unmet needs with respect to psychological support, rehabilitation access, accessing information, and overcoming geographical barriers. While most participants expressed gratitude for empathetic clinicians, unsuitable care was also reported particularly for those with aphasia. Little to no relevant information was provided about returning to work and caregiving, and regional survivors were minimally supported in accessing services after discharge. Accessing financial services was additionally described as “unpleasant” and “stressful.”

Conclusions: Recruitment is ongoing to ensure we capture the voices of priority populations. Further research is needed to ensure cultural safety, improved access, and provision of services which meet the needs of all Australians.