The centrality of work in everyday life after stroke: A qualitative study of long-term stroke survivors

Abstract

Background: Work is an occupation of great concern for younger stroke survivors. Given the high rate of people not working after stroke, there is a need to explore work after stroke from a long-term perspective, including not just an initial return to work, but also the ability to retain employment and how this may affect everyday life after stroke. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore experiences relating to work and to work incapacity among long-term stroke survivors.

Method: This study used thematic analysis on data gathered through individual semi-structured interviews with long-term stroke survivors.

Results: The analysis resulted in four themes that together comprised the main theme 'The centrality of work in everyday life', containing descriptions of how everyday life was affected by aspects of work both for those who did work and those who did not return to work after stroke.

Conclusion and significance: The results highlight the importance of addressing return to work not just as an isolated outcome but as part of everyday life after stroke. The results indicate a need for a more flexible approach to supporting return to work that continues past the initial return.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular diseases; occupational therapy; qualitative research; return to work; stroke.