STOP TOOLKIT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and refinement of a STroke friendly Oral health Promoting (STOP) toolkit to improve oral self-care practices after discharge from hospital stroke services
IRAS ID
212710
Contact name
Craig Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Many people with a stroke have existing tooth decay and gum disease. Oral care is important to stroke survivors, but we know very little about how life after stroke influences people’s ability to care for their mouths and access dental services. The aim of this research is to better understand the oral care needs and experiences of stroke survivors, and use this information in partnership with stroke survivors and healthcare professionals to develop an intervention (STOP toolkit) to improve tooth and gum health in stroke survivors after discharge from hospital. Patient and public involvement (PPI) will be an essential part of the process, with stroke survivors being part of the research team and informing the development of the STOP toolkit at each step.
First, stroke survivors living at home, along with their carers, will be invited to participate in video-recorded interviews to see what problems are encountered with oral self-care. We will also speak with healthcare professionals involved in oral care about their experiences with stroke survivors. We will then develop the STOP toolkit, using an approach that puts stroke survivors at the centre of the design process, whilst ensuring the toolkit is also informed by theory and evidence. This process will be driven by stroke survivors and is aimed at meeting their particular needs. To do this, the video-recorded interviews will be used to identify areas where stroke survivors think care could be improved. We will then hold a series of workshops with stroke survivors, their carers and healthcare professionals to develop the content and format of the STOP toolkit. At the end of the research we will be ready to test the feasibility of the new STOP toolkit, before testing whether it can improve outcomes for stroke survivors in a full clinical trial.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0335
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion