Abstract
Background
A demographic shift in the UK population has significantly changed the burden of disease. Coupled with staff shortages in allied health professions within the National Health Service, the introduction of assistant roles aimed at freeing up qualified therapists has modernised the professions and challenged traditional practices.
Methods
To understand the lived experiences of speech and language therapists in a Community Stroke Team in Northern Ireland who work with rehabilitation assistants, an exploratory qualitative study design was chosen, conducting semi-structured interviews with three participants.
Results
Participants valued the role of rehabilitation assistants as it allows for a higher frequency of therapy for stroke patients, appreciating their holistic approach to home rehabilitation. However, they described the planning process for assistant-led therapy sessions as time-consuming and challenging due to the diverse needs of clients, as well as logistical and geographical considerations. Interviewees supported the expansion of support staff roles and endeavored to assist rehabilitation assistants in improving retention, recognizing the importance of these roles for both service users and the interprofessional team.
Conclusion
The study’s findings relate to home rehabilitation, addressing a complex clientele and questions regarding the provision of sufficient speech and language therapy input. These insights can enhance stroke care services in the UK, uncover new research avenues, and highlight opportunities for workforce modernisation in other European healthcare systems.