Perceived performance of activities of daily living by stroke patients: key in decision to call EMS and outcomes.

Background: Until recently, public education campaigns aimed at improving help-seeking behavior by acute stroke patients have achieved only limited or even no effects. Better understanding of psychological factors determining help-seeking behavior may be relevant in the design of more effective future campaigns.

Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we interviewed 669 acute stroke patients within 72 h after hospital admission.