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Informing Patients with Acute Stroke About their Risk of Dementia: A Survey of UK Healthcare Professionals

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eugene TangORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2022. Objectives: Cognitive problems following stroke are of key concern to stroke survivors. Discussing risk of dementia at the time of stroke could have implications for follow-up care. However, informing someone who has just had a stroke about risk of dementia could cause distress. This survey explored healthcare professionals’ views on discussing risk of post-stroke dementia at the time of stroke. Materials and methods: This online survey was aimed at all UK healthcare professionals who care for patients with stroke. The survey was distributed via the mailing lists of seven professional stroke-related organisations and Twitter. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise findings. Results: Sixty healthcare professionals completed the survey. Healthcare professionals were aware of the main risk factors associated with post-stroke dementia (e.g. previous stroke, age). Most respondents (N=34/60, 57%) thought that patients with acute stroke would benefit from knowing if they are at high risk of dementia, and 75% (N=45/60) agreed that carers would benefit. Despite this, the majority of healthcare professionals (N=47/53, 89%) who cared for patients with acute stroke in the past year said they rarely/never discussed dementia with their patients. Most respondents (N=46/60, 77%) thought risk of dementia should be discussed 1-6 months post-stroke. Conclusion: Although healthcare professionals felt it would be helpful to discuss risk of post-stroke dementia, in practice, most said that they rarely or never discussed this with their patients. Stroke survivors could benefit from a healthcare system that offers appropriate follow-up care and support to patients at high risk of dementia.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Ball EL, Mead GE, Tang EYH, Religa D, Quinn TJ, Shenkin SD

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Year: 2022

Volume: 31

Issue: 3

Print publication date: 01/03/2022

Online publication date: 13/01/2022

Acceptance date: 19/12/2021

Date deposited: 24/02/2022

ISSN (print): 1052-3057

ISSN (electronic): 1532-8511

Publisher: Elsevier Inc.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.106279

DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.106279

PubMed id: 35032758

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