Dorien Brouwer

40 Chapter 1.2 PART 1 ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to explore patients’ perspectives on health-related behavior change, support in this change and sustaining healthy behavior. Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study with in-depth, semi-structured interviews in eighteen patients with recent TIA or ischemic stroke. Interviews addressed barriers, facilitators, knowledge and support of health-related behavior change framed by the Protection Motivation Theory and Transtheoretical Model. All interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Results: Patients understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, but seem unable to adequately appraise their own health-related behavior. More than half of the patients were satisfied with their lifestyle and felt no urgency to change. Self-efficacy was the most important determinant for health-related behavior change and mentioned both as barrier and facilitator. Most of the patients did not need support or already received support in changing health behavior. Patients indicated knowledge, guidelines and social support as most needed to support behavior change and preserve a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with recent TIA or ischemic stroke do not have a proactive approach towards health-related behavior change. Practice implications : Increasing knowledge on lifestyle risk factors for ischemic stroke and improving self-efficacy may be important targets for lifestyle interventions after ischemic stroke. Submitted