title: National survey of emergency physicians for transient ischemic attack (TIA) risk stratification consensus and appropriate treatment for a given level of risk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Five percent of transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients have a subsequent stroke within 7 days. The Canadian TIA Score uses clinical findings to calculate the subsequent stroke risk within 7 days. Our objectives were to assess 1) anticipated use; 2) component face validity; 3) risk strata for stroke within 7 days; and 4) actions required, for a given risk for subsequent stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a rigorous development process, a survey questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 300 emergency physicians selected from those registered in a national medical directory. The surveys were distributed using a modified Dillman technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total of 271 eligible surveys, we received 131 (48.3%) completed surveys; 96.2% of emergency physicians would use a validated Canadian TIA Score; 8 of 13 components comprising the Canadian TIA Score were rated as Very Important or Important by survey respondents. Risk categories for subsequent stroke were defined as minimal-risk: 10% risk of subsequent stroke within 7 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A validated Canadian TIA Score will likely be used by emergency physicians. Most components of the TIA Score have high face validity. Risk strata are definable, which may allow physicians to determine immediate actions, based on subsequent stroke risk, in the emergency department.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine,University of Ottawa,Ottawa,ON.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: †Clinical Epidemiology Program,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute,Ottawa,ON.
authors.forename: Justin H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Losier
authors.affiliation: *Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine,University of Ottawa,Ottawa,ON.
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Stiell
authors.affiliation: §Department of Neurology,McMaster University,Hamilton,ON.
authors.forename: Mukul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: *Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine,University of Ottawa,Ottawa,ON.
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abdulaziz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D032921:Consensus; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: clinical decision rules; stroke; transient ischemic attack