JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Objective decision-making is crucial to ensure adequate rehabilitation after stroke with optimal use of healthcare resources. Establishing the factors associated with making decisions concerning rehabilitation is important to guide clinical staff for making person-centred decisions for rehabilitation after severe stroke. In order to further validate the factors that impact decision-making, this study aims to identify the most important factors and their relative weight for decision making for rehabilitation concerning severe stroke survivors, post hospital discharge Methods and analysis: In this study, we will conduct a best-worst scaling (BWS) experiment, specifically a BWS object case. Fractional, efficient designs will be applied regards the survey design. Key multidisciplinary staff regularly involved in making decisions for rehabilitation in a stroke unit will be recruited to participate in an online BWS survey. Hierarchical Bayes estimation will be used as the main analysis method, with the best-worst count analysis as a secondary analysis. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for the study will be obtained from the College Research Ethics Committee (CREC) at Brunel University London. All participants will be provided with a participant information sheet with online consent before undertaking the survey, and there will be no incentive payment of any form to participants. Participants will remain anonymous throughout. No funding has been received for this study. Findings of the study will be presented in local, national and international platforms and published in peer reviewed journals. Published results will also be shared though various clinical forums for multidisciplinary staff, such as CAPHR and NIHR-CLHARC.