Return to University After a Stroke: An Autoethnography

Authors

Rachel Sieber, George Washington University

Date of Award

Spring 2017

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctorate

Department

Occupational Therapy

Faculty Mentor

Leslie Davidson, PhD, OTR/L

Abstract

Background and Aims: Return to university presents a unique transition for the person with stroke who may demonstrate with impairments and may have difficulties while engaging in this change. This study will explore elements that comprise the needs and factors of the stroke survivor and supports or accommodations that may improve success of the student returning to university.

Methods: An autoethnography was used with narrative journals and poems dated June 2003 to October 2005, interviews with friends, family and professors and a literature review. Data analysis included an open-coding procedure to find themes from the journal entries, interviews and narrative poems.

Results: The participant was 24 years old at the time of the stroke and 18 months later started to engage in clinical rotations experiencing difficulties. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the narrative journal entries, poems and interviews: internal/external personal attributes evolve over time, shaping success or failure as the stroke survivor returns to university, internal/external perceptions of self evolve over time, shaping success or failure as the stroke survivor returns to university, emotional awareness shapes success or failure as the stroke survivor returns to university and the external environment shapes success or failure as the stroke survivor returns to university.

Discussion: The results demonstrate the process of change of the participant that was ongoing and dynamic throughout the journey and dependent upon the environment, perceptions of others, perceptions of self, personal attributes, and the emotions. The impact of time and experience are highlighted throughout the return to university. Recommendations for students and educators are provided.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Comments

© 2017 Rachel Sieber.

Recommended Citation

Sieber, Rachel, "Return to University After a Stroke: An Autoethnography" (2017). Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects. Paper 2.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/smhs_crl_capstones/2