Description of research
Following a stroke, patients and their relatives describe dissatisfaction with the information they receive about the patient’s outlook for recovery. This includes how much recovery might take place and when it might be expected. Information about a patient’s recovery is extremely important to them and their families, because it helps them make decisions about their lives after stroke and future care.
These issues often arise during a patient’s rehabilitation on a stroke unit. However, research suggests that stroke unit staff lack the confidence and necessary skills to adequately discuss recovery.
The outcome of this work should form an intervention for stroke unit staff. It will include guidance on assessing when and whether individual patients and their families want information about their expected recovery and how to establish the best format for this information.