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Persson H.1, Törnbom K.1, Stibrant Sunnerhagen K.1, Törnbom M.1
1University of Gotbenburg, Clinical Neuroscience, Gothenburg, Sweden
Background: Less than 5% of all stroke is a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). After surgical treatment of the SAH several persons notice consequences in their daily life. There is a lack of knowledge regarding experienced long-term consequences after a SAH.
Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experiences of the care pathway, long-term consequences after SAH and strategies that were used to cope with everyday life.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted, using individual interviews with open ended questions, and an interview guide was used. Sixteen upper middle aged participants (8 men and 8 women) who had had SAH 5-7 years ago, were interviewed. Data were analyzed according to a descriptive thematic analysis, with themes that emerged inductively.
Results: Most participants were satisfied and grateful about the medical care in general. Participants who were discharged directly from emergency ward to their home felt omitted and left alone. In contrary, participants who had been discharged to a rehabilitation clinic instead felt both informed and confirmed about their symptoms. Cognitive problems, such as impaired memory, brain fatigue, difficulties to concentrate, and hard to get going were still current six years post SAH. Strategies used to handle these situations were to receive support from spouses, societal institutions or/and technical support, but also unmet needs were described. Participants had either experienced a changed or an unchanged work situation. They also felt that life was not the same as before SAH, but most had accepted their current situation along with its consequences. However, most missed their earlier perceived cognitive ability. Some participants described that they masked their symptoms in front of employers and friends, and tried to continue doing tasks in the same manner as before the SAH.
Conclusion(s): Participants reported several consequences that impacted their daily lives, six years post SAH. Participants used different coping strategies to handle problematic situations, and masked their problems in everyday life. Participants also reported lack of knowledge regarding possible consequences of a SAH.
Implications: This study identified a need of improved information of both physical and cognitive symptoms prior to discharge from emergency ward. As the hospital stay after a SAH is short, patients need written information of possible consequences, specially about the cognitive symptoms before leaving hospital. Referring to a homepage, handling brochures about consequences post SAH, or a follow-up visit at hospital could help these patients in their new life situation.
Funding acknowledgements: The foundations of Norrbacka Eugenia, the Swedish National Stroke Association, Greta and Einar Asker's and Hjalmar Svensson's Research.
Topic: Neurology: stroke
Ethics approval: This study has ethical approval from the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg, the 3 of June 2013, number 400-13.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
