This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.
Purpose: The utility of self-management with people from minority ethnic backgrounds has
been questioned, resulting in the development of culturally specific tools. Yet, the use of stroke
specific self-management programmes is underexplored in these high risk groups. This article
presents the experience of stroke therapists in using a stroke specific self-management
programme with stroke survivors from minority ethnic backgrounds. Methods: 26 stroke
therapists with experience of using the self-management programme with stroke survivors
from minority ethnic backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews. These were audio
recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Three themes were
identified. One questioned perceived differences in stroke survivors interaction with
self-management based on ethnicity. The other themes contrasted with this view demonstrating
two areas in which ethnic and cultural attributes were deemed to influence the
self-management process both positively and negatively. Aspects of knowledge of health,
illness and recovery, religion, family and the professionals themselves are highlighted.
Conclusions: This study indicates that ethnicity should not be considered a limitation to the use
of an individualized stroke specific self-management programme. However, it highlights
potential facilitators and barriers, many of which relate to the capacity of the professional to
effectively navigate cultural and ethnic differences.