Identification of need in severe stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the needs of a stroke survivor with a high level of disability on discharge from hospital?
IRAS ID
243711
Contact name
Rebecca Fisher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 24 days
Research summary
Stroke is the single largest cause of adult disability in the UK and as a result, 300,000 people in England live with moderate to severe disability. In 1999, the average length of hospital admission following stroke was 34 days compared with 17 in 2013. Patients are being discharged earlier, potentially more disabled and therefore with greater levels of need. This group is relatively new, as previously they would have remained in hospital for rehabilitation, and their needs are therefore not fully understood.
In the context of an aging population and increasing stroke survival, the NHS and social-care costs of stroke are approximately £1.7 billion annually in the UK.This study aims to investigate different perspectives, patient, carer and multidisciplinary team (MDT), to explore the needs of a severely disabled stroke survivor on discharge from hospital. For the purpose of this study, a severe stroke is defined using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of 21-42. A severely disabled stroke survivor would commonly be unable to stand unaided and have problems in a number of areas such as thinking skills and communication in addition to physical disability.
A single severely disabled stroke survivor and their friend / family member will be interviewed regarding their perception of the needs of the stroke survivor. This will take place in their home (including care home), 3-4 weeks after discharge from hospital.
A focus group will be undertaken around the time of discharge from hospital, with 6 members of the inpatient MDT involved in the stroke survivors care, to discuss their perception of the individuals need.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EM/0101
Date of REC Opinion
18 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion