Discrepancy between theoretical knowledge and real action in acute stroke: self-assessment as an important predictor of time to admission.
BACKGROUND
Poor knowledge of stroke symptoms within the general population might be responsible for significant delay between symptom onset and hospital admission in most stroke patients.


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated whether theoretical knowledge about stroke influenced time to admission among 102 consecutive acute stroke patients using standardized questionnaires. We assessed in multiple logistic regression models the influence of theoretical knowledge (knowledge about stroke symptoms and knowledge about the appropriate actions to be taken in the case of a stroke) on the real actions taken in the acute situation. Predictors of a delayed hospital admission greater than 2 hours after stroke onset were determined. Models were adjusted for age, gender, level of education, stroke severity, previous history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and being alone at symptom onset.


RESULTS
Patients arrived significantly later, if the patients themselves were the managers of the emergency situation [odds ratio (OR): 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5-140.8]. Symptom knowledge and action knowledge were not found to be significantly associated with shorter pre-hospital times, whereas the correct diagnosis of stroke by the manager (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4) and calling the emergency medical system (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7) independently led to a higher likelihood to arrive at a hospital within 2 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study underscores that good theoretical knowledge about stroke does not imply appropriate management in the emergency situation. Educational efforts need to incorporate more practical aspects in order to translate theoretical knowledge into concrete action.
Ritter
Martin A
MA
Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. ritterm@uni-muenster.de
Brach
Stefan
S
Rogalewski
Andreas
A
Dittrich
Ralf
R
Dziewas
Rainer
R
Weltermann
Birgitta
B
Heuschmann
Peter U
PU
Nabavi
Darius G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors