Background And Aims Recent research has contributed to an understanding of the ongoing changes to people’s lives that result after a mild stroke; however, research into health services that target this population remains scarce. The transition period is a particularly important time for this population as they begin to engage in complex activities and identify changes. This research aimed to identify the essence of the transition experience to home after acute hospital discharge for people with mild stroke and their key support people.

Methods A series of 4 qualitative studies were undertaken at 1-, 3-, 6- and/or 9-months post hospital discharge, using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed by two researchers. The combined findings of the qualitative studies were developed into a schematic representation of the mild stroke transition experience.

Results Five people with mild stroke and four key support people participated in the qualitative interviews, all aged between their 40s and 70s. The mild stroke transition experience appears to be the result of an interplay of: the direct effects of the stroke, health services provided, societal views of the stroke, the person’s past experiences and personal qualities, and relationship dynamics.

Conclusions A ’one size fits all’ approach will most likely not achieve optimal wellbeing and quality of life for people with mild stroke and this must be taken into consideration when designing and providing services for this population. It is important that any individualised approach extends beyond person-level factors and considers environmental factors, inclusive of societal influences.