Investigation on current status of stroke care continuity in China: results and analysis of focus group interview

Objective To investigate the current status and existing problems in the implementation of stroke care continuity in China, and to collect relevant suggestions for solving these problems. Methods Focus group interviews were used, to survey thirty-six nursing managers and senior nurses in neurology departments or rehabilitation programs in 24 cities of 13 provinces. The interview team members presided over the meetings, with full-time staff taking notes and recordings, and the results of the interviews were summarized and organized in a timely manner after the interview. Results At present, most of the general hospitals surveyed are doing their best to continue supporting nursing care for patients discharged from hospitals in different forms following their rescue of the acute phase. However, they are faced with such challenges as insufficient nursing manpower, and discontinuity between different medical institutions, which result in oversimplified nursing care and fragmented care. Conclusions Stroke nursing practitioners are working on continuous nursing care, with quite some challenges as well. Nursing care continuity is an important step towards establishing and improving a scientific and rational grading nursing care system. Key words: Stroke; Focus groups; Nursing care continuity; Qualitative research