Challenging the Politics of Evidence-Based Practice: Exploring the Testimony of Stroke Survivors in the Community, 2007-2008

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.This is a qualitative data collection. This study explored the oral history of people who had experienced a recent stroke and sought their testimony about their lives during the first year following the stroke event. It described the journey of adjustment of four stroke 'survivors' and their families over a period of eight months. Their lived experience focused not only on being a survivor of the stroke itself but also the healthcare ‘system’, particularly their stay in hospital. The person living with a stroke also identified themselves as 'survivors' at home as they struggled on a day-to-day basis to adjust to a changed relationship with their bodies, families and sought to make sense of the stroke event and its impact based on a review of their life history as a couple or family. The testimony emphasised a journey that requires greater psychological support and the importance of life history work in chronic illness. The data collection includes interviews with four different stroke 'survivors' who were all interviewed on three different occasions. The characteristics of the sample represented a diverse range of disabling effects following stroke, including difficulties with ambulation, speech and completing some activities of daily living. The interviews were conducted in their own homes and completed with the person with a stroke and their partner/family member. Main Topics:The interviews covered the following broad areas:life history (life before the stroke, when the stroke occurred, experience in hospital) day-to-day life post-stroke (care, adaptations, aids, routines) additional issues raised by the stroke 'survivors' and their families