Rehabilitation services for inpatients with stroke in a provincial hospital in Papua New Guinea: a retrospective observational study
- Author:
Takashi Saito
;
Angelberth Bai
;
Nobuko Matsui
;
Kazuhiro P. Izawa
;
Shuichiro Watanabe
;
Alfred Malagisa
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Papua New Guinea medical journal
2019;62(3-4):155-163
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the largest of the Pacific Island countries that is facing challenges related to the burden of cerebrovascular disease. There are few reports on rehabilitation services for inpatients with cerebrovascular disease, including stroke. This study aimed to examine the provision of rehabilitation services, physical therapy (PT) and service outcomes in PNG.
Methods: A sub analysis of our previous retrospective observational study at a single provincial hospital in PNG was conducted in which patient records of all inpatients (Total group, n = 12,241) and those of inpatients receiving rehabilitation services (PT group, n = 350) were reviewed, and the records of inpatients with cerebrovascular disease were extracted for analysis. For descriptive purposes, demographic data, service provision statistics (length of hospital stay and duration and frequency of PT services provided) and gait function were summarized.
Results: The final analysis comprised 50 of 12,241 records in the Total group and 34 of 350 records in the PT group. All of these studied patients suffered a stroke. The dominant age in both groups was ≥40 years. The median length of stay in hospital was 9 days in the Total group. The median frequency and duration of PT services were 4 times and 8.5 days, respectively. Of the 34 inpatients in the PT group, 32 (94%) were discharged with poor gait function defined as ‘dependent or no walking function’. Conclusions: The results implied that stroke patients who were discharged with poor gait function and restarted their life in the community would confront significant barriers and challenges in PNG. This first report, to our knowledge, on rehabilitation services for stroke in PNG may provide a reference point for further clinical research.
