STROKE: FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION AND CONTINUITY OF CARE

Abstract

Quality in healthcare services is essential to guarantee safe, effective, and humane care, especially given the increasing demand and complexity of conditions such as stroke, a major cause of death and disability. The resulting sequelae compromise autonomy and require qualified care. In this context, continuous professional development becomes indispensable, with Continuing Education in Health standing out as a strategy to integrate theory and practice. However, its implementation faces institutional and structural challenges. The lack of professional updating can compromise care. Thus, strengthening educational practices is fundamental to improving the quality of care and health outcomes. This systematic review analyzes functional rehabilitation and continuity of care in stroke, functional impacts, therapeutic strategies, and the importance of follow-up in recovery. It is a systematic review conducted using databases such as the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Google Scholar, and SciELO, analyzing articles in Portuguese and English published between 2021 and 2026 on stroke, functional rehabilitation, and continuity of care. The results show that stroke compromises functionality, cognition, and emotional aspects, reducing autonomy and quality of life. Multidisciplinary, early, and continuous rehabilitation promotes functional recovery. Continuity of care is essential to maintain therapeutic results; however, structural challenges still hinder comprehensive care and adequate follow-up of affected patients. It is concluded that stroke compromises multiple dimensions of life, impacting functionality, cognition, and emotional aspects. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, combined with continuity of care, is fundamental for recovery, autonomy, and quality of life, as well as promoting social reintegration and better clinical outcomes.