Development of Home Health Care in Stroke Patients by Communication Map and Calendar with Health Partnership at Dongeijan Sub-District, Nonsuwan District, Buriram Province

Abstract

Home health care for stroke at Dongeijan sub-district Nonsuwan district, Buriram province was not effective enough to cover the problems of the patients, resulting in low quality of life among them. The purposes of this quasi-experimental research were to develop a comprehensive home health care program for stoke patients and compared the outcomes between before and after the implementation. It was conducted at Dongeijan Sub-District, Nonsuwan District, Buriram Province during October 2015 – March 2016. The study samples were stroke patients aged between 50-89 years old. The study tools include community mapping and activities calendar among local stakeholders. The study procedures include: (1) identification of stroke patients who met the inclusion criteria, (2) baseline home care assessment, (3) development of communication map and community calendar, (4) monthly home visits by the multidisciplinary health care team, (5) evaluation at 1 and 6 months of implementation. Data were collected by using questionnaire and Barthel activity of daily living index tool (Barthel ADL); and were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and paired T-test. There were altogether 40 patients. It was found that after 6 months of the program, all patients (100%) had received the home health care services, compared to 77.5% before the program. All patients (100.0%) were satisfied with the services (com-pared to 65.0% ). Pain reduction and lower compications were observed (17.5% and 22.5%, respectively, compared to 62.5% and 52.5% before the program). The Barthel ADL score significantly increased from 10.0 to 60.0, p<0.0001. The results of the study indicated that home health care for each stroke patient should be continued for 6 months in order to improve the quality of life of the patient. The authors recommended that further research be conducted to assess the specific aspects of the improvement. In addition, the study approach should be promoted in other communities in order to compare the effectiveness of the program.