title: Actual and desired information provision after a stroke.
abstract: Stroke patients and caregivers have a substantial information need. The study investigates how information was actually provided to stroke patients and caregivers and how they prefer to be informed. The GP, neurologist and physiotherapist are both the actual and desired information providers. The actual and desired information correspond in terms of content, frequency, and method of presentation. However, patients and caregivers prefer to receive information within 24 h and to be informed about, and be given, relevant written information. The information given by the various professional stroke care-providers could be better co-ordinated. The role of the GP as an information provider lagged quite a long way behind. Recommendations for the provision of an improved information system is given. Most of the subjects are relatively young male patients with few disabilities and healthy caregivers. More attention should be paid to encouraging patients and caregivers to actively seek information to supplement the information given by professional stroke care-providers.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice of the University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. c.s.m.watchers-kaufmann@med.rug.nl
authors.forename: Cresje
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wachters-Kaufmann
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuling
authors.forename: Hauw
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: The
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyboom-de Jong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009426:Netherlands; D009462:Neurology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D024382:Professional Role; D013070:Speech Therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors