Abstract T P353: The Essence of Stroke Educators: Standardizing Stroke Education to Optimize Patient/Family Perceptions and Understanding of Stroke Information

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Providing stroke education to patient and family members is essential to optimize stroke recovery, maximize functional status, and prevent secondary cerebrovascular events. Due to complexity of cerebrovascular disease and potential cognitive deficits, the delivery of succinct, consistent, individualized, high-quality stroke education continues to be a challenge. Furthermore, incorporating patients’ perceptions of education needed vs. education received often is overlooked. The purpose of this study was to determine if the perceived quality and understanding of stroke education improved through the use of an interactive stroke education booklet compared to a printed packet of stroke information. Methods: A patient-report instrument was used to evaluate direct and indirect perceptions and understanding of the quality of stroke education needed and received. In total, 124 stroke patients were randomized to stroke booklet (n=73) or stroke packet (n=51). Independent samples t-tests were used to determine differences between the booklet and the packet on the total score of the patient-report instrument, and on separate subscales (education needed vs. received vs. delivered). A hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine if age, education level, number of hospital admissions, living arrangement, or length of stay would predict scores on the patient report instrument. Significant results were noted if p<0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences between booklet and packet were not found for the total score of the patient report tool (p=0.44), or on subscales education needed (p=0.95), received (p=0.14), and delivered (p=0.51). When type of education received was controlled, patient demographic characteristics were not statistically significant predictors of score. Conclusions: S tandardization of stroke education through dedicated stroke educators may be most beneficial in increasing the perception and understanding of stroke information. Further research is warranted to determine if there is a correlation between perception of understanding stroke education and stroke educators spending adequate time with patients/families displaying caring and compassion during education.