MOVING FORWARD: HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY DRIVES SUCCESS IN COORDINATED STROKE CARE

Introduction. Physiotherapy within coordinated rehabilitation is a critical component for improving the functional status of stroke patients and facilitating their successful reintegration into everyday life. Effective collaboration between specialists and individualized treatment plans significantly enhances rehabilitation outcomes and promotes patient independence. Aim. To investigate how physiotherapy within coordinated care can be implemented before, during, and after hospital discharge for stroke patients. The study focuses on identifying factors contributing to successful rehabilitation and barriers that hinder optimal recovery. Materials and methods. This qualitative study included semi-structured interviews with 21 physiotherapists from rehabilitation departments in two hospitals. The interviews explored their professional experiences, applied assessment tools (FIM, Barthel Index, TUG test), therapeutic techniques, and challenges faced in coordinated rehabilitation. Data analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti software, with anonymized codes for participant confidentiality. Results. The study highlights the crucial role of physiotherapists in restoring mobility, muscle strength, coordination, and balance in stroke patients. Individualized rehabilitation plans were found to be more effective than universal approaches. Key challenges included time constraints, limited equipment, and inadequate follow-up care post-discharge. Physiotherapists emphasized that early initiation and regular rehabilitation sessions lead to better recovery outcomes. Interprofessional collaboration with physicians, occupational therapists, and speech therapists was identified as essential for comprehensive care. However, poor communication and systemic barriers hindered this collaboration. Conclusions. Coordinated rehabilitation involving personalized care, early intervention, and effective interprofessional collaboration is vital for the successful reintegration of stroke patients into daily life. Addressing systemic challenges, such as time limitations, resource shortages, and lack of post-discharge follow-up, is critical for enhancing rehabilitation services. Technological solutions like telerehabilitation and post-discharge monitoring programs can improve care continuity and patient outcomes.