Awareness of Multidisciplinary Team Approach Towards Stroke Rehabilitation in Final Year Students of Speech and Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, necessitating comprehensive rehabilitation delivered by multidisciplinary teams. Effective collaboration among Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT), and Physical Therapists (PT) is critical for optimizing functional recovery, yet gaps in awareness and interprofessional readiness may hinder patient outcomes. Objective: To assess the awareness and perceptions of multidisciplinary team approaches in stroke rehabilitation among final-year students of SLP, OT, and PT in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from February to August 2024 among 120 final-year students (40 per group) recruited from allied health programs using purposive sampling. Data was collected via a validated questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using SPSS v21, with group-wise comparisons and confidence intervals reported for key outcomes. Results: Most students (90.0%) endorsed the importance of multidisciplinary teams, with OTs demonstrating the highest teamwork perception scores (median 17, IQR: 15–19) and awareness indices (mean 14.3, 95% CI: 13.8–14.7), while PTs showed lower and more variable results (median 13, IQR: 10–15; mean awareness 11.1, 95% CI: 10.2–12.0). Significant differences emerged in perceptions of professional roles and exposure to stroke cases (p < 0.05). Communication problems, role ambiguity, and professional competition were frequently reported barriers. Conclusion: Although awareness of multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation is high, preparedness and interprofessional understanding vary significantly by discipline. Structured interprofessional education and clinical exposure are needed to address gaps and improve collaborative practice in stroke care.