Use of the Interdisciplinary Team Approach in the Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients in Swaziland

Research and clinical experience have shown the importance of using a team approach in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The interdisciplinary team approach is recommended in the managing or rehabilitation of such patients. This study sought to determine if the interdisciplinary team approach was utilized in the rehabilitation of stroke patients in two hospitals in Swaziland, Mbabane Government and the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial hospitals. Triangulation, involving a structured questionnaire for health professionals, a semi-structured interview for care givers of stroke patients and the patients, and a checklist tool for the review of stroke patient's charts was utilized to collect data. A convenient sample of health professionals (n=26), family care givers, stroke patients and their charts (n=5) was selected. Data was analyzed using the descriptive statistics and results interpreted using the interdisciplinary rehabilitation model. A major finding was that both hospital used a multidisciplinary team approach instead of an interdisciplinary team approach. UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol 3 (2) 2000: pp 16-2