title: Family stroke education.
abstract: To increase families' involvement in rehabilitation, an informational session called Family Stroke Education Class was implemented at a 305 bed medical center serving disabled veterans and their families. After a year, a study of questionnaires completed by family and patients at the meetings showed that anxiety level about their illness had decreased significantly. Twenty-six (86.7 percent) of thirty participants felt more comfortable about approaching team members with questions in the future, and 76.7 percent felt more informed as a result of taking the class. Knowledge scores improved significantly on the post tests. Thus it appears that the educational format is a practical way of including the needs and soliciting participation of families as well as a means for providing basic information to patients on stroke rehabilitation.
authors: Social Worker, Rehabilitation Medicine Service, VA Medical Center, Seattle; and Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington.
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Evans
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Held
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Kleinman
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Halar