Abstract
Objective To assess outcome at six months post stroke and the unmet needs and adherence to the secondary prevention advice among survivors living at home. Setting Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (SRU), Hairmyres Hospital and patients homes. Subjects Survivors living at home who had been managed in the SRU. Results Of 572 consecutive patients with confirmed acute stroke, 301 were managed in the SRU and 179 of these were reviewed at home between 6 and 9 months post acute stroke incident. One hundred and thirty seven (76%) survivors at home were living with a carer. Sixty-eight (38%) had had no personal contact with their General Practitioner since discharge from hospital, although 83 (46%) had attended or were attending day hospital. Thirty-two individuals (18%) had resumed smoking. One hundred and forty nine survivors (83%) still required assistance with daily living tasks. One hundred and fifteen patients (64%) required medication advice. One hundred and forty one (79%) had health concerns. Eight subjects had returned to paid employment. Issues raised by survivors included a feeling of being abandoned by the healthcare system, poor access to professional psychological support and a fear of further stroke. Conclusion There is a need for continuing patient education, improved support for stroke survivors and more active involvement of Primary Care Services in the care of stroke patients following hospital discharge.
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