Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors shaping the delivery of acute inpatient stroke
therapy (i.e. occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language
therapy). DATA SOURCES:
A systematic search using electronic databases: AMED, CINAHL, Medline, Web of Knowledge and EMBASE.
STUDY SELECTION: Qualitative
studies (n = 31) investigating delivery of inpatient stroke therapy, published
since 1998, were included.
DATA EXTRACTION: Narrative synthesis was used as the
review method. Textual descriptions, tabulation and thematic ana-lysis were used
to categorize findings and explore relationships between studies. DATA SYNTHESIS:
DATA SYNTHESIS generated the following themes: the need for a therapeutic
environment; power and decision-making; intensity, motivation and appropriateness
for active therapy; therapy behind the scenes; the role of teamwork in creating a
therapeutic environment. Delivery of therapy was influenced by conceptual,
individual and professional factors. CONCLUSION: Conceptual, individual and
professional factors impact on the delivery of rehabilitation. Further research
is needed to examine how therapists negotiate the sometimes conflicting factors
shaping delivery of therapy.

Langue : ANGLAIS