Quasi-experimental evaluation of a home care model for patients with stroke in China.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified home care model in China.

Methods: First-time stroke survivors were recruited from a comprehensive teaching hospital in China. Subjects in the intervention group (n = 168) received modified home care involving detailed pre-discharge preparation and post-discharge follow-up lasting one month. The following outcomes were assessed at the end of follow-up: length of hospital stay, satisfaction with acute hospitalisation, medication compliance, complications and stroke-related re-hospitalisation. The outcomes were compared for the intervention group and a historical control group (n = 173) who received routine care.

Results: Modified home care was associated with shorter acute hospitalisation (11.29 ± 2.18 vs. 12.36 ± 4.33 d, p = 0.03), higher compliance [161 (95.83%) vs. 92 (53.18%), p = 0.004] and ability to perform daily activities (38.25 ± 10.22 vs. 32.08 ± 10.32, p = 0.03), and a lower rate of re-hospitalisation [2 (1.19%) vs. 11 (6.36%), p = 0.02].

Conclusions: Home care may be associated with higher quality of life and reduced dependency among stroke patients in China. Implications for Rehabilitation Home care can be effective method at improving the physical and psychological well-being of stroke survivors in China. The home care model in this study can improve health outcomes as well as reduce healthcare resources utilisation. Home care models for stroke survivors should be adapted to local healthcare policies and resources.