Clients' subjective experience of their participation in rehabilitation at an out-patient community rehabilitation center

Abstract

Introduction: Rehabilitation services in South Africa are governed by various policies. It is important to evaluate these services to assess if the services are achieving their aims as set out in these policies. The evaluation should include the outcomes that clients achieve by participating in rehabilitation services.

Method: The findings presented were obtained as part of a larger mixed methods descriptive study and this paper will focus on clients' subjective experience of participating in rehabilitation. Convenience sampling was used to select 78 clients from the five most prevalent diagnostic groups seen at the centre. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed by means of basic content analysis.

Results: Clients commented on the emotional impact that participating in rehabilitation had had on them and on the physical changes it had brought about. Clients experienced a high level of satisfaction with the service and enjoyed participating in rehabilitation. The knowledge, skills and confidence that they gained enabled them to be more independent in Daily life activities and to share this knowledge with others in their community.

Conclusions: The results emphasise the importance of providing rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities that are based in their community. It will be useful in further service and policy planning for persons with disabilities.

Keywords: rehabilitation in community, outcomes, subjective experience