A study of Occupational Therapists' knowledge and awareness of Post Stroke Depression (PSD) and to what extent this is being addressed within stroke rehabilitation.

Stroke can have a huge impact on the lives of stroke survivors, often causing a multitude of disabilities. It is important that these disabilities are not restricted to physical aspects alone, as a stroke can also have a profound impact on the psychological and social aspects of health and wellbeing. Research indicates that an emotional disturbance is common following a stroke, where Post Stroke Depression (PSD) is described as being the most prevalent. PSD can have various negative consequences for stroke survivors, increasing mortality and hospital stays and more specifically inhibiting functional recovery, reducing quality of life (QOL) and engagement in meaningful occupations. Furthermore, contrasting and inconclusive literature exists regarding the most effective treatment modality used by clinicians to address PSD. The complexity of PSD often leads to under-reporting and recognition where, stroke survivors are not given the appropriate advice and support to deal with PSD throughout stroke rehabilitation. Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a significant role within stroke rehabilitation and aim to maximise the recovery of stroke survivors. OTs have the unique skills to address the physical, psychological and social issues all of which may present following a stroke. However, it has been found that research describing the role of OT within stroke rehabilitation places emphasis on the physical aspects of stroke recovery whereby, the psychological issues such as PSD are not given priority and are often overlooked. Currently there is limited literature highlighting the role of OT to address PSD, perhaps suggesting that this is not being given the importance by OTs that it deserves within stroke rehabilitation. A generic qualitative study is proposed to investigate this gap and aims to explore OTs' knowledge and awareness of PSD and to what extent PSD this is being addressed within stroke rehabilitation.bsc_occunpub1500_ethesesunpu