How primary care can help survivors of transient ischaemic attack and stroke return to work: focus groups with stakeholders from a UK community

This commendable study discussed some vexing practical challenges. Its helpful suggestions for improvement included a patient-held shared-care plan at discharge from stroke wards, such assessment to form part of the patient electronic records, and a GP practice nurse whose role assists patient employment through local knowledge of community and neurorehabilitation services.

 

Occupational health (OH) clinicians were not included in the study’s focus groups, which seemed a surprising omission given their role.¹ This letter briefly offers additional points from that perspective on this important topic.

 

Safe return home is a frequent rehabilitation goal of occupational therapists (OTs). Cerebrovascular conditions often impact on work capabilities, and must be taken into careful account at work, where OTs may rarely practise except in NHS settings. Reasonable adjustments need considering for disability, as the Equality Act requires. Access to Work is a helpful government agency whose Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) can help with compliant good practice return.²

 

Professional bodies, such as the College of Occupational Therapy, provide helpful guidance documents. I did not find one on the study topic, but their one on the prevention of falls was helpful, and is a condition with similar neurorehabilitation challenges. It advocated focus on the poten...