Evaluation of a post-discharge education and support package for stroke clients and their carers: Randomised control trial (Does providing information after stroke help?)

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The provision of information is recognised as a key component of post-stroke management for clients, their carers and their families and can improve client and carer knowledge, reduce client depression and increase some aspects of client satisfaction. Clients with stroke and their families need, and want, information about stroke, across a broad content range and there is evidence that their education and support needs are not met by current practice. Current recommendations for effective information provision include providing a combining verbal and written information, using an interactive teaching style and repetition or reinforcement of information. Preliminary research conducted by this team sought stroke clients’ and carers’ content, format, teaching style and timing preferences regarding stroke educational support. Although this data is as yet unpublished, it confirms support for the aforementioned recommendations (combination of written and verbal information, an interactive style and reinforcement). It was further established that a combination of face-to-face and telephone contact is acceptable to clients with stroke and their carers. As a result, an education and support package was developed, consisting of a previously trialled Australian tailored written education booklet, supplemented by verbal reinforcement and repetition of the information contained therein. This study will evaluate the impact of this education and support package through a single-blind randomised control trial, by comparing the health and psychosocial outcomes of participants in the intervention group with those of participants in the control group, who will receive usual care. Outcome measures will be administered prior to hospital discharge and again at three months post discharge.