Framework conditions and content-related aspects of a regional pilot program of stroke patients in the context of stroke aftercare

• Conditions: I63; G45; Cerebral infarction; Transient cerebral ischaemic attacks and related syndromes

• Registration Number: DRKS00030540
• Lead Sponsor: niversitätsklinikum bzw. Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie

Brief Summary

By understanding stroke as a chronic disease, aftercare becomes increasingly important. For developing aftercare programs, the patients’ perspective regarding, for example, stroke-related symptoms and interactions with the healthcare system is necessary. Records from a local stroke pilot program were used to extract relevant topics from the patients’ perspective, as mentioned during a phone call two months after hospital discharge. Data from 157 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were included. “Rehabilitation” was mentioned by 67.5% of patients, followed by “specialist physician”, “symptoms”, and “medication”. Compared with severely disabled patients, those with no relevant disability at hospital discharge mentioned “symptoms” significantly more often. Regarding rehabilitation, “outpatient care” was mentioned more often by patients in an inpatient setting, and 11.8% without rehabilitation mentioned “depression”. Patients in single-compared to multi-person households differed, for example, in the frequency of mentioning “specialist physicians” and gradually “outpatient care”. A multivariate model yielded associations between the disability at discharge and the probability of mentioning relevant topics afterward. This study provided insights into the patients’ perspective and identified topics that need attention while accompanying stroke and TIA patients after discharge. Further, the degree of disability at discharge might be helpful for planning individual aftercare.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Completion: 2022-10-17
• Study Start: 2022-10-18
• Results First Posted: 2022-11-29
• Last Update Posted: 19 August 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Complete
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 157

Inclusion Criteria

Patients with cerebral infarction (ICD I63.*), TIA (ICD G45.*) or cerebral hemorrhage (ICD I61.*) who contacted druing stroke follow-up care by stroke pilots at Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurology at the University Hospital Leipzig and who have given their consent to participate in the stroke aftercare program.

Exclusion Criteria

stroke mimics (patients whose diagnosis of cerebral infarction or TIA was not confirmed) during the stay or was changed after discharge; Patients who, due to stroke-related or other limitations, cannot contact stroke pilots by telephone; Patients residing outside of Saxony

Study & Design

• Study Type: observational
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Frequency and content of telephone contacts with patients

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Relation of contacts to clinical patient data (severity of the limitations caused by the stroke at the time of admission and discharge, length of stay) and social anamnestic characteristics (marital status, educational qualifications); Differences between defined patient groups