Table 6 Main findings from interviews

Advantages of unsupervised exercises

(Based on patient interviews codes 1 and 3 and staff interview code 1)

(1) Good, simple and motivating

(2) Help return to former level of function

(3) Physical advantages

(4) Good information

(5) Enough help and follow-up

(6) Flexible exercises (time of day)

(7) Simple exercise tools

(1) Promote patient autonomy and responsibility

(2) Increase communication about need of help in everyday activities

(3) No negative aspects

(4) Resource-light task

(5) Great potential: (i) can lead to physical gain for patients; (ii) initiation of rehabilitation plans post-hospitalization possibly unnecessary

(6) Flexible exercises (time of day)

Challenges of unsupervised exercises

(Based on patient interviews code 2 and staff interview codes 2 and 3)

(1) Tiredness, pain, lack of desire to exercise, mind set on other things

(2) Disturbances from staff, patients and relatives

(3) Indifferent about number of repetitions

(4) Need for the patient to independently mount the elastic band

(1) United responsibility among staff to keep focus on the performance of exercises

(2) Information specifically to all professions about: (i) execution of the elastic band exercises; (ii) optimal place of documentation

(3) Requirements for patients: (i) a certain cognitive level; (ii) motivation; (iii) ability to show initiative; (iv) quality in performance of exercises

(4) Organization of the daily schedule