PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jenni Murray
AU  - John Young
AU  - Anne Forster
AU  - Gill Herbert
AU  - Robert Ashworth
TI  - Feasibility study of a primary care-based model for stroke aftercare
DP  - 2006 Oct 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 775--780
VI  - 56
IP  - 531
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/56/531/775.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/56/531/775.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2006 Oct 01; 56
AB  - Background A new primary care model for stroke aftercare has been developed to address the longer-term needs of patients who have had a stroke and their families.Aim To test the feasibility and acceptability of the new model on patients who have had a stroke and their carers.Design of study An observational feasibility study.Setting Patient and carer assessments and interviews conducted in patients&#039; homes.Method Patients who have had a stroke and their carers were assessed using a purposely developed primary care stroke model. Qualified health- and social-care professionals acted as stroke care coordinators and carried out the assessments. Four evaluations were undertaken as part of the study: analysis of care plans, a survey of unmet needs, focus group sessions for staff, and patient/carer interviews.Results Forty-seven patients and 21 carers were recruited to the study. Analysis of care plans indicated that the assessment process was successful in identifying patient and carer problems (n = 219). Actions were instigated against 190 of these problems and, at 3 months after the assessment, 75% of the problems had been resolved. Patients/carers thought that the review process would be more valuable if conducted sooner after hospital discharge.Conclusion The model was acceptable to professionals, encouraging them to work in a manner more consistent with the expressed needs of patients and carers who were adjusting to the longer-term impact of stroke. Essential aspects informing the care process were also identified. Further work is now required to investigate the effects of the intervention on patient and carer outcomes.