Is primary care a neglected piece of the jigsaw in ensuring optimal stroke care? Results of a national study.
Background: Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity with potential for improved care and prevention through general practice. A national survey was undertaken to determine current resources and needs for optimal stroke prevention and care.
Methods: Postal survey of random sample of general practitioners undertaken (N = 204; 46% response). Topics included practice organisation, primary prevention, acute management, secondary prevention, long-term care and rehabilitation.
Results: Service organisation for both primary and secondary prevention was poor. Home management of acute stroke patients was used at some stage by 50% of responders, accounting for 7.3% of all stroke patients. Being in a structured cardiovascular management scheme, a training practice, a larger practice, or a practice employing a practice nurse were associated with structures and processes likely to support stroke prevention and care.
Conclusion: General practices were not fulfilling their potential to provide stroke prevention and long-term management. Systems of structured stroke management in general practice are essential to comprehensive national programmes of stroke care.
Funding
Irish Heart Foundation in association with the Department of Health and Children, Republic of Ireland.
History
Comments
This article is also available from http://www.biomedcentral.comPublished Citation
Whitford DL, Hickey A, Horgan F, O'Sullivan B, McGee H, O'Neill D. Is primary care a neglected piece of the jigsaw in ensuring optimal stroke care? Results of a national study. BMC Family Practice. 2009 Apr 29;10:27.Publication Date
29 April 2009External DOI
PubMed ID
19402908Department/Unit
- Health Psychology
- RCSI Bahrain
- School of Physiotherapy
Publisher
Biomed CentralVersion
- Published Version (Version of Record)