Healthcare providers’ perspectives and experiences with self-management support practices for discharged stroke patients in a district hospital in Ghana using a qualitative approach

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with substantial physical, psychological, and economic impacts. Self-management support (SMS), a core component of the Chronic Care Model (CCM), can help patients manage chronic conditions and improve quality of life. In Ghana, culturally tailored post-discharge SMS guidelines for stroke survivors are lacking, resulting in fragmented and inconsistent care. This study explored healthcare providers’ experiences with post-discharge SMS, including barriers, perceived impacts on patient outcomes, and satisfaction with current practices. Using Thorne’s interpretive description approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 healthcare providers and 3 administrators. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Thorne’s three-phase thematic framework, guided by the CCM and evidence-based SMS attributes. Three themes emerged: (1) current healthcare practices to assist home-based stroke self-management, (2) barriers to providing SMS, and (3) impact of current SMS and providers' satisfaction. Pre-discharge support included education on medications, lifestyle changes, and caregiver training. Post-discharge support was limited, with minimal follow-up, home visits, or ongoing guidance. Essential SMS elements such as collaborative goal setting, comprehensive education, emotional support, and sexual health guidance were largely absent. Barriers included a lack of formal guidelines, staff shortages, heavy workloads, low literacy, cultural and religious beliefs, limited family involvement, and communication challenges. Providers expressed mixed satisfaction with pre-discharge care but widespread dissatisfaction with post-discharge support. Providers face significant challenges delivering effective SMS, limiting stroke survivors’ home-based disease management. Current practices focus on information delivery rather than proactive, culturally sensitive, and collaborative support, undermining patients’ confidence and ability to manage their conditions independently.