The development and implementation of the structured training programme for caregivers of inpatients after stroke (TRACS) intervention: the London Stroke Carers Training Course.

Objective: To describe the content and delivery of the adapted London Stroke Carers Training Course intervention evaluated in the Training Caregivers after Stroke (TRACS) trial.

Setting: The London Stroke Carers Training Course is a structured training programme for caregivers of inpatients who are likely to return home after their stroke. The course was delivered by members of the multidisciplinary team while the patient was in the stroke unit with one recommended 'follow through' session after discharge home.

Training carers of stroke patients: randomised controlled trial.

Background: Informal care givers support disabled stroke patients at home but receive little training for the caregiving role.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of training care givers in reducing burden of stroke in patients and their care givers.

Design: A single, blind, randomised controlled trial.

Integrated care pathways and quality of life on a stroke rehabilitation unit.

Background And Purpose: Integrated care pathways (ICP) may not reduce disability, institutionalization, or duration of hospitalization compared with conventional multidisciplinary team (MDT) care in organized stroke rehabilitation. Their potential to improve patient heath status or satisfaction with care is not known.

Methods: A comparison of quality of life, caregiver strain, and patient/caregiver satisfaction at 6 months after stroke was undertaken in 152 stroke patients randomized to receive ICP or MDT care.

Does an integrated care pathway improve processes of care in stroke rehabilitation? A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: to evaluate whether integrated care pathways improve the processes of care in stroke rehabilitation.

Design: comparison of processes of care data collected in a randomized controlled trial.

Participants: acute stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation randomized to receive integrated care pathways management (n=76) or conventional multidisciplinary care (n=76).

Can differences in management processes explain different outcomes between stroke unit and stroke-team care?

Background: Stroke units reduce mortality and dependence, but the reasons are unclear. We have compared differences in management and complications of patients with acute stroke who were admitted to a stroke unit or to a general ward as part of a previously reported randomised trial.

Methods: 304 patients had been randomly assigned to stroke units (n=152) or to general wards supported by a specialist stroke team (152).