EXPLORING BARRIERS OF REHABILITATION CARE IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background & Aims: Due to the increasing proliferation, high costs and numerous physical and psychological disabilities of multiple sclerosis (MS), efficient rehabilitation care is important. Studies show that high quality rehabilitation care to MS patients currently is not provided. This study aimed to explore the barriers of rehabilitation care in MS patients. Materials &Methods: A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the gathered data. The study participants were 35 (15 patients, 5 nurses, 6 family members, 2 physiotherapists, 2 doctors, 2 occupational therapists, 2 psychologist and the director of MS Society) that were chosen by purposeful sampling from MS associations of Isfahan and Tehran (Iran). Data was gathered through non structured interviews. Result:The analysis led to five themes as the barriers of rehabilitation care in MS patients.The five themes introduced under the headings: lack of information, lack of achieve to adaptation, poor context for utilization, poor performance and poor patient characteristics. These are explained in the text. Conclusion:These themes can lead to increased information of the government, community, families, and health care authorities about barriers to appropriate rehabilitation care to MS patients. This will help to develop better plan and support for MS patients, and it will reduce the possibility of adverse mental and physical disabilities in MS patient.