Comprehensive evaluation of telehealth outpatient stroke service in rural and remote Australia: A multicentre study protocol

We will be collecting data of consecutive patients reviewed at the Manning Base Hospital, Tamworth, Moree & Armidale Telestroke clinics run by the John Hunter Stroke Team. This study is a cohort study of the patients reviewed through these clinics. This study was reviewed by our ethics committee and considered low risk. Consent for inclusion is not required. Thus, this is not an interventional study, and every patient assessed through the clinic would be included into the study. Patients will be reviewed through the telestroke clinics closer to their home address. The interventions made in the clinic are related to standard of care stroke management: -We plan to observe the percentage of interventions required, including : changes in diagnosis, medication, complementary tests, referral to other specialists or referrals to clinical trials. - We have collected as well the recurrence of ischaemic events at 12 months (cerebrovascular and cardiovascular). This is done looking at the electronic medical records available in our local health district. -The only questionnaire for this study is a survey about the care provided. This is anonymous and not a mandatory requirement for patients attending the clinics. The survery contains a total of 21 questions, focused on the patient experience. The survey questions were created by a multidisciplinary team, including neurologists, allied health specialists and consumers. Telestroke clinic patients will be asked to complete the questionnaire following their initial clinic appointment. The following options for completion will be offered to those patients who wish to complete the questionnaire: 1. Immediately after the appointment either electronically or in paper form (the clinic coordinator will leave the room to avoid coercian). 2. At the patients home after the appointment. A link will be sent to the patients by email & text.