Experiences of stroke survivors with aphasia and their significant others during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Date
2023-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Background and Aim: Stroke, a neurological condition, can lead to communication impairments, including aphasia, and has been associated with increased burden of care for significant others. With changes in stroke care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered essential to explore the perspectives of stroke survivors and their significant others. This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of individuals diagnosed with stroke and aphasia during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their significant others, within the South African context.
Methodology: Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, this study utilised homogenous purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven stroke survivors with aphasia and their significant others. Interviews were conducted individually or as a unit, depending on participant preference. Data analysis followed an inductive thematic approach, with interpretation guided by the biopsychosocialtech model.
Findings: The study's findings reveal challenges faced by participants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges encompass difficulties related to facility admission, interactions with healthcare workers, loss of autonomy, limited communicative abilities, reduced social networks and engagement in pre-stroke activities, struggles with re-entering the work environment, changes within family dynamics and interpersonal relationships, as well as evidence of burden of care for significant others. While technology was acknowledged as a potential valuable resource and telerehabilitation a possible successful intervention approach, their effective use posed challenges and limitations. Although rehabilitation was deemed beneficial, the need for potential transformation within the field of aphasia rehabilitation is outlined, particularly with respect to the active involvement of persons with aphasia and their significant others as well as the use of technology in a South African context.
Implications and Conclusion: This study contributes to the understanding of the lived experiences of persons with aphasia and their significant others within the South African context during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings have the potential to inform policy and practice by emphasising the importance of addressing client needs based on their lived experiences. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of active family involvement in treatment and highlights the need to investigate barriers to implementation in this regard. The findings further emphasise the necessity of developing policies that outline the use of technology in rehabilitation and call for improved considerations in healthcare workers' interactions with individuals with aphasia.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Speech Pathology in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, School of Human Community Development, Faculty of Humanities,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, Stroke, Aphasia, Third party disability, Family dynamics, Technology, Telerehabilitation, South Africa, Policy, Biopsychosocialtech, UCTD
Citation
Kathrada, Nabeelah Ebrahim. (2023). Experiences of stroke survivors with aphasia and their significant others during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/40075