Stroke Survivors, Caregivers Feel Unsupported by Healthcare System

A review of qualitative studies published in PLOS One found stroke survivors and their caregivers often feel ignored by primary care and community healthcare services, frustrated by little follow-up, and not ready to manage recovery by themselves, reports Cardiovascular Business . The researchers analyzed responses from 51 studies from the U.K., North America, Australia, Scandinavia, and Iran that included 168 stroke survivors and 328 informal caregivers. Grievances the authors cited included long wait time for rehabilitation and difficulty to access credible, appropriate information regarding stroke self-care. Emotional support was found to be vital to both survivors and caregivers, with the latter feeling particularly unprepared and pressured to "become experts" in stroke care. "The need for training was repeatedly emphasized," the researchers said. "Caregivers wanted insights into how to cope, how to get organized, and establish a routine after discharge. Many also wanted back-up and respite services. Lack of support was highlighted as a barrier to undertaking and/or continuing the caregiving role." Study co-author Lisa Lim at the University of Cambridge stressed a need for "mechanisms to encourage better communication and collaboration between generalist services, which tend to provide the longer-term care after stroke, and specialist services, which provide the care in the immediate phase post-stroke."