Feasibility study of a primary care-based model for stroke aftercare.

Background: A new primary care model for stroke aftercare has been developed to address the longer-term needs of patients who have had a stroke and their families.

Aim: To test the feasibility and acceptability of the new model on patients who have had a stroke and their carers.

Design Of Study: An observational feasibility study.

A survey to investigate the role of the district nurse in stroke care.

The long-term needs of people who have had a stroke and their carers are not being adequately addressed. A stroke care coordinator based in primary care might improve service delivery: the district nurse has been suggested as a possible candidate. A postal survey was conducted with three primary care trusts in Bradford to investigate the current role of the district nurse in stroke care and to examine their potential as stroke care coordinator.

Developing a primary care-based stroke model: the prevalence of longer-term problems experienced by patients and carers.

Background: Over the last two decades, the need for a longer-term perspective to stroke management has become increasingly recognised. This paper reports a component of a larger project aimed at developing a systematic, primary care-based service for stroke aftercare.

Aim: To identify the types and prevalence of longer-term problems experienced by stroke patients and their carers in the United Kingdom (UK).

Developing a primary care-based stroke service: a review of the qualitative literature.

The aim of this review was to identify the most frequently encountered longer-term problems experienced by stroke patients and their informal carers. Systematically identified qualitative studies describing self-reported experiences of stroke-related long-term problems were independently reviewed and the findings analysed using a clustering technique. Twenty-three qualitative studies, which included approximately 500 patients and 180 carers, were identified by the search methods.

Primary care trusts. In the know.

PCTs allow a strategic approach to primary care research that supports collaboration between professionals and practices and reflects local and national priorities. The implementation of a research strategy in one PCT provides a useful working model.