Picture This

Abstract

An increasing number of high-functioning stroke survivors are present with minimal functional impairments and are often discharged with reduced access to community reintegration. Our objectives were to explore the lived experience of high-functioning stroke survivors and to identify gaps in community and rehabilitation services. Photovoice was used with five high-functioning stroke survivors to photo-document their experiences. A modified inductive thematic analysis was used, and meanings behind the photographs were elicited through four focus group sessions followed by photography exhibitions. Five themes emerged: lack of understanding and consideration for persons with disability, emotional and behavioral impacts after stroke, self-reliance and dependence on others, importance of appropriate and accessible services, and financial determinants of quality of life. By including service users' voices; investing in adapted, community-based programs; and providing educational programs for creating attitudinal change among service providers, the polarization between who can and cannot access services will be reduced.

Part 1: A review of using photovoice as a disability research method: Implications for eliciting the experiences of persons with disabilities on the Community Based Rehabilitation programme in Namibia

“…To orient the research team to a reflective and detailed analysis of each co-researcher’s life experience (Maratos et al 2016 ).…”

“My life after stroke through a camera lens”- A photovoice study on participation in Sweden

“…Stroke is one of the main causes of adult disability worldwide, with the greatest health consequences coming from a variety of physical, cognitive and emotional long-term impairments [1, 2]. Medically advanced acute care therapy [3] and modern rehabilitation after stroke [2] have increased the number of community dwelling persons with stroke [4], and in Sweden around 75% of stroke patients are discharged to their homes [5]. Stroke consequences are complex [6], and qualitative research has shown that in a long-term perspective, many individuals after stroke feel unsupported and abandoned [7, 8].…”

“…An increasing number of people living with stroke, means higher demands for appropriate long-term rehabilitation services, and community reintegration programs that are evidence based [17]. As research participants are the sole authorities of knowledge about their life, qualitative research becomes grounded in subjects that are meaningful to those it concerns [4, 12, 18]. Photovoice gives participants the opportunity to photograph their identified subjects or environments, and to further discuss them in a group [4].…”

“…As research participants are the sole authorities of knowledge about their life, qualitative research becomes grounded in subjects that are meaningful to those it concerns [4, 12, 18]. Photovoice gives participants the opportunity to photograph their identified subjects or environments, and to further discuss them in a group [4]. Choosing motifs that symbolizes what you really want others to know about life after stroke promotes reflection and an action oriented way of thinking about your life [13].…”

“…Although several studies have used photovoice in disability studies generally [16] very few have used it after stroke [4, 19–21]. To our knowledge, no photovoice study after stroke has been conducted with a Swedish study group before.…”