Table 2 Mentioned social network strategies
Strategies in use | Strategies that could be implemented or developed | Barriers (−) and facilitators (+) implementing strategies |
|---|---|---|
Theme 1: Strategies to identify and expand the social network | ||
To identify the network • Using a Ecomap (diagram of social and personal relationships) to visualize all members and discuss their potential. • Using the Mantelscan [in Dutch] (informal care-scan) to visualize the structure, organization and risk factors of a person’s network. • As an element of a ‘regular intake’. To expand the network • Encouraging people to reactivate former relationships. • Encouraging people to undertake (new) activities with others. | To identify the network • Using a questionnaire to screen the network for crucial signs of vulnerability before discharge. • Using a card system to pass on signals regarding the vulnerability of a social network. | ˗ Participants felt insecure about mapping the social network. ˗ Participants (inpatient and community settings) experience not enough time to identify the social network. + Participants from inpatient settings can screen the network for the most crucial signs of vulnerability. |
Theme 2: Strategies to inform the network | ||
• Organizing individual and group education sessions to provide information about stroke and its consequences. • Organizing follow-up care to stay in contact and inform the network after discharge. • Using an “I am changed document” consisting of information in layman’s terms regarding a person’s abilities and difficulties. • Using communication apps to share photos and information with network members. | • Developing and using e-health courses tailored to the specific information need(s) of the person post-stroke and their network. | + Social network members are interested in education after discharge. ˗ Contact with people post-stroke and their network can be easily lost. ˗ General practitioners and practice nurses do not (sufficiently) focus on the network. ˗ Privacy legislation hinders sharing patient-specific information with members of the network. + The availability of technological tools. |
Theme 3: Strategies to activate network support | ||
• Using exercise apps to facilitate network members in guiding the person post-stroke in performing their exercises. • Inviting social network members to practice with the person post-stroke and inform them, show them, and let them experience what the person is capable of. | • Providing a buddy who can give support through each phase after stroke, gather and process information and inform the rest of the network if necessary. | ˗ Participants from inpatient settings have limited options to work with members of the network. ˗ Privacy legislation hinders sharing patient-specific information with members of the network. ˗ People post-stroke are unaware of the needed support and therefore do not (want to) include network members. ˗ The division of tasks between professionals regarding working with the network is unclear. |