Communicating Information to Stroke Survivors. A pilot study

This study explored current approaches to communicating information to stroke survivors and their relatives. The aim of this pilot project was to gain better understanding of information provision about stroke from health professionals by exploring the perspectives of the stroke survivors, their carers and professionals themselves. The study aimed to explore, through qualitative interviews, how such information is provided, what works well in information giving, what the barriers to good information provision are and how these arise. The research provided a step towards developing an information toolkit for service providers, stroke survivors and relatives to engage in effective person-centred communication. The study is based on interviews conducted with health professionals in acute, community and primary care settings in East Kent and with a small sample of stroke survivors and carers. We interviewed 19 stroke survivors, 6 relatives and 23 health professionals (11 individually and 12 in 2 focus groups) involved in their care and support. To protect individual identities, we have changed all names in our report.