The acceptability of being trained to deliver online, group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to stroke survivors: the experience of third-sector practitioners

PurposeThe Wellbeing After Stroke study (WAterS) co-developed a nine-week, online, group-based intervention for stroke survivors, informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to be delivered by third sector practitioners. This study explored practitioners perceptions of the acceptability of the training and their views on delivering the intervention. Materials and methodsSemi-structured interviews completed with practitioners after training, but before intervention delivery had begun. Interview schedule guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Template Analysis used to inductively and deductively interpret the data. ResultsAll eight WAterS-trained practitioners were interviewed. Five main themes were generated. Practitioners were motivated to deliver a stroke-specific therapy. Practitioners reported that training was understandable and that experiencing ACT during training benefitted practitioners own wellbeing and increased their preparedness for intervention delivery. Previous experience affected their confidence to deliver. Practitioners expected the therapy to be acceptable to many stroke survivors. The online group context was expected to be beneficial, although they foresaw challenges in remotely facilitating groups with diverse accessibility needs. ConclusionIt is acceptable to upskill a third-sector workforce to deliver a protocolised ACT-informed intervention to stroke survivors, potentially enabling greater reach of much needed psychological support.