. 2024 May 7;24:600. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11043-7

Table 2.

Themes, subthemes and supporting quotes

Themes	Subthemes	Supporting quotes
Theme 1: Motives to join virtual CBO stroke programs	Subtheme 1a: Seeking peer connection Subtheme 1b: Gaining stroke-related knowledge and information	“I was feeling a little bit like out on my own kind of thing, but then like I’m not on my own because I have all these other people who are who have gone through stroke and are trying to get back on their feet” (PV8, age 50, 23 years post-stroke). “What you have a chance to do is listen to areas that you’re unaware of, and of course, everyone’s stroke is very different right so. So you glean what you can from it, but then they provide information to other sources of information that you can find more specific things about so, and it’s really across the board, they cover so much, which is really good, and you can pick and choose which ones, you want to be involved in which is, which is great. But then they send out all of the information and the email telling -talking about the next one, so you get everything anyway, which is really good” (PV7, age 69, 2 years post-stroke).
Theme 2: Perceived barriers to accessing and participating in virtual CBO stroke programs	Subtheme 2a: Technological inequities Subtheme 2b: Difficulties navigating technology Subtheme 2c: Impact of facilitator instruction	“I had all new equipment and had to get it hooked up” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke). “The first thing is like the technical glitches. It kind of throws you because, you know, sometimes the internet is slow, you lose the picture, the connection to the person, and I think those are distracting those things are distracting” (PV5, age 39, 2 years post-stroke). “After I got on, you know, got the Zoom setup and got the technical part. I guess you could say the technical part of it was challenging. But I don’t know how you could ever change it” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).
Theme 3: Perceived facilitators to accessing and participating in virtual CBO stroke programs	Subtheme 3a: Remote access to virtual CBO stroke programs Subtheme 3b: Enabling virtual platform features Subtheme 3c: Program leader characteristics	“I see huge benefits with the- with the online format, in that you get people from very diverse geographical areas participating” (PV3, age 64, 6 years post-stroke). “It also allows, you know, eliminates the need for transportation, so if, if you can’t drive I mean Zoom is amazing, you know it’s a great technology” (PV3, age 64, 6 years post-stroke). “[the program leader] has it in small groups so that you can actually leave your microphone on or you know turn it off and turn it on when necessary” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke). “ “I felt that he was a seasoned communicator and could deliver like he needed to deliver” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).
Theme 4: Unmet needs during virtual CBO stroke programs	Subtheme 4a: Unmet need for in-person connection Subtheme 4b Unmet need for individualized support	“And then and then taking the time, especially with stroke patients to stop in and check in during that program, how are we doing, what are the questions you might have, Is anybody- is anybody finding this to a high level, is anybody find - You know just checking in, because we’re all at different stages within the stroke process and, and all have had different types of strokes” (PV7, 69, 2 years post-stroke). “When you’re working in a group, you always work to the lowest common denominator. And with the stroke victims, you have every kind and every ability represented. I just feel that we’re doing the exercises, but all of us are doing them at our own ability. But there’s nobody pushing you like, great you leaned over half an inch now. Do you think you can go a little bit further? Good, you know, or something” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).
Theme 5: Suggestions and preferences for improving virtual CBO stroke programs	Subtheme 5a: Suggestions for effective facilitation of virtual programs Subtheme 5b: Virtual content preferences Subtheme 5c: Delivery format preferences	“I think when the online facilitator engages with all the people, one by one, each one individually, and they know that they counted [unintelligible] their product is meaningful to them so they know exactly what you need and so that that helps I think for the facilitator to know you more” (PV8, age 50, 23 years post-stroke). “Old fashioned compliments or encouragement. Myself, I know that encouragement is a really, really important part…” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke). “To find a group for a group of stroke survivors is very easy, but to find a group of stroke survivors that aren’t of the median age of 75 and up is very hard. My plate is different than their plate. My plate is to get back to work and have a semblance of a life again. Their plate is to be comfortable in their retirement” (PV10, age 40, 2 years post-stroke). “I would probably more lean towards the online just because it’s more convenient, especially, I have two young children” (PV10, age 40, 2 years post-stroke).

Themes

Subthemes

Supporting quotes

Theme 1: Motives to join virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 1a: Seeking peer connection

Subtheme 1b: Gaining stroke-related knowledge and information

“I was feeling a little bit like out on my own kind of thing, but then like I’m not on my own because I have all these other people who are who have gone through stroke and are trying to get back on their feet” (PV8, age 50, 23 years post-stroke).

“What you have a chance to do is listen to areas that you’re unaware of, and of course, everyone’s stroke is very different right so. So you glean what you can from it, but then they provide information to other sources of information that you can find more specific things about so, and it’s really across the board, they cover so much, which is really good, and you can pick and choose which ones, you want to be involved in which is, which is great. But then they send out all of the information and the email telling -talking about the next one, so you get everything anyway, which is really good” (PV7, age 69, 2 years post-stroke).

Theme 2: Perceived barriers to accessing and participating in virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 2a: Technological inequities

Subtheme 2b: Difficulties navigating technology

Subtheme 2c: Impact of facilitator instruction

“I had all new equipment and had to get it hooked up” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

“The first thing is like the technical glitches. It kind of throws you because, you know, sometimes the internet is slow, you lose the picture, the connection to the person, and I think those are distracting those things are distracting” (PV5, age 39, 2 years post-stroke).

“After I got on, you know, got the Zoom setup and got the technical part. I guess you could say the technical part of it was challenging. But I don’t know how you could ever change it” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

Theme 3: Perceived facilitators to accessing and participating in virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 3a: Remote access to virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 3b: Enabling virtual platform features

Subtheme 3c: Program leader characteristics

“I see huge benefits with the- with the online format, in that you get people from very diverse geographical areas participating” (PV3, age 64, 6 years post-stroke).

“It also allows, you know, eliminates the need for transportation, so if, if you can’t drive I mean Zoom is amazing, you know it’s a great technology” (PV3, age 64, 6 years post-stroke).

“[the program leader] has it in small groups so that you can actually leave your microphone on or you know turn it off and turn it on when necessary” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

“

“I felt that he was a seasoned communicator and could deliver like he needed to deliver” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

Theme 4: Unmet needs during virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 4a: Unmet need for in-person connection

Subtheme 4b Unmet need for individualized support

“And then and then taking the time, especially with stroke patients to stop in and check in during that program, how are we doing, what are the questions you might have, Is anybody- is anybody finding this to a high level, is anybody find - You know just checking in, because we’re all at different stages within the stroke process and, and all have had different types of strokes” (PV7, 69, 2 years post-stroke).

“When you’re working in a group, you always work to the lowest common denominator. And with the stroke victims, you have every kind and every ability represented. I just feel that we’re doing the exercises, but all of us are doing them at our own ability. But there’s nobody pushing you like, great you leaned over half an inch now. Do you think you can go a little bit further? Good, you know, or something” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

Theme 5: Suggestions and preferences for improving virtual CBO stroke programs

Subtheme 5a: Suggestions for effective facilitation of virtual programs

Subtheme 5b: Virtual content preferences

Subtheme 5c: Delivery format preferences

“I think when the online facilitator engages with all the people, one by one, each one individually, and they know that they counted [unintelligible] their product is meaningful to them so they know exactly what you need and so that that helps I think for the facilitator to know you more” (PV8, age 50, 23 years post-stroke).

“Old fashioned compliments or encouragement. Myself, I know that encouragement is a really, really important part…” (PV1, age 64, 3 years post-stroke).

“To find a group for a group of stroke survivors is very easy, but to find a group of stroke survivors that aren’t of the median age of 75 and up is very hard. My plate is different than their plate. My plate is to get back to work and have a semblance of a life again. Their plate is to be comfortable in their retirement” (PV10, age 40, 2 years post-stroke).

“I would probably more lean towards the online just because it’s more convenient, especially, I have two young children” (PV10, age 40, 2 years post-stroke).