Background and aims. Following stroke, well-being can be critical to a person’s quality of life. However, it is commonly impacted by stroke and inconsistently addressed in stroke services. Our research programme examined people’s well-being needs, current service provision, and how supports could be improved. This paper identifies the components of quality well-being care in Aotearoa New Zealand
Method. Underpinned by Interpretive Description, we interviewed 24 people with stroke and 13 family members (17 of whom were Māori) and 34 practitioners. Using conventional content analysis and journey mapping, we identified characteristics of high-quality care.
Results. We have developed a quality framework for supporting well-being after stroke. High quality care that supports well-being after stroke in Aotearoa: supports people through uncertainty; fosters a sense of belonging; prioritises relationships and connecting ‘as people’; attends to the emotional aspects of stroke; centres people’s preferences and supports people to have choice and control; honours Māori knowledges and makes space for people to be Māori; responds to the strengths and needs of whānau and key support networks; and attends to people’s holistic long-term well-being. We detail how these can be enacted and describe the organisational and system supports needed to enable practitioners to embed well-being work in everyday practices.
Conclusion. By making well-being practices visible and identifying how these practices can be supported by healthcare organisations, this framework provides a tangible, evidence-based resource that can enhance practice, support equity in experience and outcome, inform education and policy, and support people's long-term well-being after stroke.