Abstract

Objectives: To identify the occupational therapist’s role in stroke unities, within a multidisciplinary team, clarifying what are the advantages of having this professional in the team. 

Methods: We have used a qualitative approach, using a semi structured interview script with 39 health professionals considering 4 different aspects: The adult’s description, their opinion on the process used in the Stroke Unity, the contribution of each professional within the Stroke Unit, and the development and progress.

Results: The themed analysis of each interview lead to the conclusion that the majority of the professionals that participated in this study recognize the role of the occupational therapist in a Stroke Unity, as well as its value. However, the professionals from the Faro Unity showed a greater knowledge of the role of this professional within the referred context. 

Discussion: The relations proposed by the authors were confirmed by data analysis, considering that the majority of the professionals that participated in this study recognize the role of the occupational therapist in a Stroke Unity, as well as its value. 

Conclusions: The results show the importance of these professionals as members of the multidisciplinary team, since the majority of the people surveyed consider that their presence is an advantage to the patients in a severe phase in their rehabilitation.

Keywords

stroke unities, health professionals, early rehabilitation, occupational therapy