Thesis (MPhil (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Current emphasis for rehabilitation in South Africa remains on individual intervention within the
move towards primary health care. Primary health care is the strategy that has been adopted by the
South African department of health to bring access and equity in health care services. Even so, the
burden of providing effective rehabilitative services with limited resources requires innovative
strategies, such as the use of therapeutic groups, to address certain aspects of rehabilitation. These
strategies must be proven effective. There is a paucity of literature detailing the uses of group
therapy in physical rehabilitation, and particularly the use of interdisciplinary group work in stroke
rehabilitation. Furthermore, evidence shows that stroke survivors feel ill equipped to return to their
communities despite rehabilitation. Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in South Africa,
and is a condition shown to benefit from rehabilitation. These factors led to the selection of the
Bishop Lavis Rehabilitation Centre stroke group as the setting for this study, which aims to describe
the range of experiences relating to attendance or non-attendance of those referred to this
programme.
This descriptive study, employing quantitative means (to describe the demographic details of the
participants) and qualitative means (to describe the experiences of participants), was conducted with
twenty participants. Data was collected by means of an administered questionnaire. Following that,
a focus group discussion involving six participants was used to gather in-depth information.
Quantitative data was analysed with the assistance of a statistician, utilising the computer program,
Statistica. The Chi-Squared, Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests were used, with p>0.05 showing
statistical significance. Qualitative data was thematically analysed, whereby data was categorised
by means of an inductive approach.
The study population consisted of 20 participants, with an average age of 59 years, of whom 15
were female and five male. The stroke group provided meaning to participants on two levels. On a
psychosocial level, the phenomena of universality (identifying with others in a similar position),
development of socialising techniques, imparting information and cohesiveness emerged strongly. On the level of meaning related to stroke recovery, improvement in ability to execute activities of
daily living, mobility and strength were most frequently mentioned. Transportation issues were
most commonly mentioned as factors negatively influencing attendance. Staff attitude and
activities of the programme were most often cited as positive factors.
Given the positive response of study participants, and the programme’s ability to sustain
intervention with limited resources, it was concluded that this programme has a valid place within
stroke rehabilitation in Bishop Lavis.
Recommendations in terms of the group programme included investigating methods of providing
transportation, providing childcare facilities and expanding the content of educational sessions.
Further recommendations were to maintain the positive attitude of staff and the current activities of
the programme. Frequency of group outings should also be increased and compensatory strategies
for inclement weather must be explored.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1695 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | De la Cornillere, Wendy-Lynne |
| Contributors | Visagie, Surona, Gcaza, Siphokazi, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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