The lived experiences of stroke survivor–caregiver dyads during transitional care from hospital to home with a teletraining and telesupport educational programme: a phenomenological study

AIMS: The transition from hospital to home is a critical phase for stroke survivors and their caregivers, often marked by complex and unmet needs due to fragmented care. Understanding how dyads experience this phase is essential to ensure continuity and quality of post-stroke care. Although various educational programmes have been studied, few have examined the lived experiences of dyads participating in an integrated teletraining and telesupport programme during transitional care. This qualitative study explores these experiences in the first month after discharge to inform improvements in transitional care and the development of tailored telehealth programmes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A phenomenological study was conducted using Cohen's methodology. Dyads received predischarge training through videos and nursing support. Open-ended interviews were conducted between October 2023 and June 2024. Data triangulation enhanced analytical rigour. Fourteen dyads were enrolled (mean age 62 years; 46% men, 54% women), including spouses, cohabiting partners, siblings, and adult children. Two overarching themes emerged: Transitional Care Impact on Dyads (three subthemes) and Meeting the Holistic Needs of the Dyad (five subthemes). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that teletraining and telesupport programmes may support post-stroke transitional care, fostering dyadic well-being and reducing anxiety and isolation. Given the qualitative design and small sample size, transferability is limited. Further research across diverse settings is needed to validate and extend these insights.