RESUMO
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.
