Table 2 Perceptions of stroke dyads for participating in the FDPEI programme

Positive attitudes towards the intervention

Helpful for stroke recovery and care

S3: ‘It’s definitely helpful. Especially, I read the booklet from time to time.’

S6: ‘What I learn from you is indeed what I need after I have a stroke.’

C2: ‘Of course, I think it is helpful for his recovery…sometimes, we read the information booklet as a reference for his recovery.’

C5: ‘Even though I cannot comprehensively tell you the details of what I’ve learned from the intervention at this moment, I can recall something relevant when I encounter a specific issue in my daily life.’

Practical for improving post-stroke daily life

S6: ‘I use those relaxation techniques a lot. You know, I had a bad temper. Now, I know I need to control my emotions. So when I encounter something unpleasant, I use these techniques to relax and adjust myself, like deep breathing.’

C10: ‘To be honest, I’m not interested in the written materials with many words, so did my grandma [stroke survivors]. I think … I just want to know how I can do straightforwardly … now, it [information booklet] is good, since it contains many pictures for demonstration.’

C5: ‘… I prefer to interact with you. I can ask some issues I encountered and discuss with you. And then, I can know more about what we need. I think it’s much better than words on the ward [health education posters in the ward]. You know, each patient has different symptoms, so they have their own specific needs.’

Perceived benefits

Increased knowledge on stroke recovery and care

S1: ‘Now, I realise that I cannot be completely cured at once, and the rehabilitation is a slow process … as said in the hospital slogan “healing” in life, living in healing (在生活中康復, 在康復中生活)”.’

S9: ‘I think I know more knowledge about what I can do for recovery and prevention of stroke in the future.’

C5: ‘After he was diagnosed with stroke, I search many information online. But lots of them were neither comprehensive nor reliable … I think you are a professional. I feel that I’ve mastered many key points on how to care for him [survivor], like modifying unhealthy lifestyles, regulating our stress and emotions.’

Enhanced coping ability for recovery/caring

S6: ‘Sometimes, I’m lazy to exercise my impaired body at home … after we discussed last time, I set a small goal for myself and complete it every day. I think it’s effective.’

C11: ‘Sometimes, I check the information booklet when I encounter a problem, and then, I probably know how to cope with it.’

Emotional support

S6: ‘At our age [60 +], the opportunities to contact others, even relatives or friends, become less and less … you are just a stranger; you call me often and are concerned for me. I feel so happy.’

C8: ‘It warms my heart that you care for us even after we left the hospital.’

Improved communication and interpersonal relationship

S9: ‘I try to communicate with her [family caregiver] and tell her more about my thoughts … I know she is also stressed. I try to be cheerful in case she worries about me.’

C6: ‘At first, I’m struggling on how to help him recover and what I can do for him … I’ve changed my mind now. I prefer to discuss with him and involve him in the decision of his own life.’

More focus on self-care (for caregivers just)

C6: ‘I have to focus on my own health as well … I try to modify my own lifestyle, such as doing some exercise, reading … I have to become stronger so that our home will not fall apart.’

Suggestions for improvements

Longer time intervals between education sessions

S6: ‘For the education frequency, the present frequency is ok for me. But I think twice a week might be more acceptable.’

C7: ‘I think the frequency of education in hospital is high, so I felt a little burdened. Maybe once a week is greater.’

More home-based rehabilitation strategies

S9: ‘I think more details about rehabilitation strategies could be included in the intervention, especially about those we can do at home.’

C6: ‘For now, most of us are still focused on his physical recovery. Yes, the psychological adjustment is also important, but since he has a chance to recover better, I hope to know more specific and effective strategies to help him in rehabilitation at home.’