Speakers - 2026

Title: To investigate the need for palliative care in cerebrovascular accident (stroke) patients at ladysmith regional hospital

Abstract

This research study explores the need for palliative care by the patients who are recovering from stroke after an acute event. Stroke survivors need comprehensive care for their physical, psychosocial, spiritual well-being and additional support. The comprehensive total care in all aspect of physical, social and spiritual well-being can only be offered by the holistic approach of palliative care focusing, as it does, on the rehabilitation for stroke survivors to improve their quality of life. A literature review was conducted to investigate how palliative care can help to change the quality of life for stroke survivors. There has been little research on the topic of providing palliative care to stroke patients in South Africa. This research study explores the need and understanding of palliative care management for a stroke survival. This research work is a cross sectional study using mixed methods-both quantitative and qualitative-interviewing patients, and family members of patients, who had suffered from a cerebrovascular accident. Stroke patients admitted to medical wards, and who had attended the MOPD (Medical Outpatient Department) at Ladysmith Regional Hospital over 4-month period from the month of April to July 2013, and the members from family who were involved in their care at home.