The importance of the patient's subjective experience in stroke rehabilitation

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Kaufman's observation that the patients' reactions to their impairments and disabilities need to be addressed in stroke rehabilitation has been shown to be an accurate and perceptive statement. In this article, 3 levels of stroke rehabilitation are outlined, and the importance of focusing on the third level (the level of subjective experience) is emphasized. Identifi cation of the patients' subjective experience allows one to understand what is most frustrating to them. After addressing those frustrations, patients are more eager to engage the rehabilitation process. Within the context of this rehabilitation process, helping patients clarify what their subjective or phenomenological state is as it relates to their stroke is crucial in having them not only engage the rehabilitation process, but ultimately fi nd meaning in life in the face of their stroke. This can be a diffi cult task because patients often do not have the words to clarify what their inner psychological experiences are following a stroke. Helping to provide guidelines for this can result in a meaningful experience for both the patient and the therapists involved in their care. © 2011 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc..

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Publication Title

Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation

ISSN

10749357

E-ISSN

19455119

Volume

18

Issue

1

First Page

30

Last Page

34

PubMed ID

21371977

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1310/tsr1801-30

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