title: Efficacy and safety of a TIA/stroke electronic support tool (FASTEST) trial: study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strokes are a common cause of adult disability and mortality worldwide. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) are associated with a high risk of subsequent stroke, and rapid intervention has the potential to reduce stroke burden. This study will assess a novel electronic decision support (EDS) tool to allow general practitioners (GPs) to implement evidence-based care rapidly without full reliance on specialists.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cluster randomized controlled trial comparing TIA/stroke management of GPs with access to the EDS tool versus usual care. The intervention period is 12 months with a 3-month follow-up period for individual patients. Primary outcomes consist of stroke within 90 days of presenting event and adherence to the New Zealand national TIA guideline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive study will provide strong evidence for widespread implementation of this tool in practice and has the potential to improve key outcomes for patients and reduce the burden of stroke.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000792921.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, MidCentral Health, Private Bag 11036, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand. anna.ranta@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Annemarei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranta
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dovey
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weatherall
authors.forename: Dea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Dea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012449:Safety; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome