The regional development and implementation of home-based stroke rehabilitation using participatory action research.

This study aims to overcome the challenges experienced in the regional development and implementation of home-based stroke rehabilitation (HBSR) and to understand the change process needed. Using participatory action research (PAR), participants and researchers collaboratively produced knowledge and took action to improve the offered HBSR. Different methods for data generation and analysis were used, depending on the aim of the PAR phase and the participants' stages of change. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to select implementation strategies and to evaluate the implementation process. Developing and implementing HBSR resulted in multiple products that promoted the implementation of a regional stroke network and affiliated work arrangements. Work arrangements were embodied in a stroke care pathway, follow-up tool, and expertise requirements. Evaluating the PAR process identified participants being able to take the lead, being facilitated by others, and making progress visible, as implementation facilitators. Collaborating within a primary care project can be challenging but is considered essential and has a positive impact on multiple levels. Also, the implementation of HBSR calls for multiple implementation strategies reflecting multiple CFIR constructs. This study highlights the complexity and achievements of developing and implementing HBSR using PAR. When developing home-based stroke rehabilitation, important topics concern: interprofessional collaboration, follow-up care, professional expertise, attention to the social network and “invisible consequences” of stroke, case management, and supporting self-management.When developing a regional stroke network, viewpoints and work arrangements should be documented, for example through a stroke care pathway, and a tool for follow-up care. This can overcome the challenges experienced regarding interprofessional collaboration while delivering home-based stroke rehabilitation.When implementing a complex intervention such as home-based stroke rehabilitation, participatory action research can be used to empower professionals and to facilitate the development of practical solutions to experienced implementation problems in the community.When developing home-based stroke rehabilitation and/or executing participatory action research, facilitation by a person with an overview of the project is important to guide the knowledge transformation process.