Background: Administration of thrombolytics after ischemic stroke remains an underutilized intervention since qualifying patients do not reach a treatment center within the narrow therapeutic window. One means of decreasing time to treatment is teaching the public to recognize the signs of stroke for emergency response to these symptoms. Secondly, stroke is one of the most preventable catastrophic diseases yet primary prevention techniques are rarely incorporated to modern models of health education. Methods: We developed an educational poster, which presented the risk factors for stroke, primary prevention health care techniques, signs of stroke, and the need for emergency response should they occur. The stroke poster was reviewed and approved by 5 stroke specialists including stroke neurologists and nurse practitioners. A questionnaire was then developed for use in this study. Copies of the poster were displayed in the waiting area of a primary care practice. 100 patients and family members were asked to complete the questionnaire, both at the time of exposure to the poster and 30-days following exposure. Mean scores were compared with those of a control group. Eighty-nine people were contacted 30 days later, with 11 subjects lost to follow-up. Fifty control surveys were collected. Results: Subjects who viewed the poster had a higher mean score than the control group (3.1 vs 2.38 [p=0.003]). The 30-day follow-up score of the group exposed to the poster (2.87) was higher than the control group's score (2.38) (p=0.051). The mean scores of the subjects immediately after viewing the poster and at 30-day follow-up were not significantly different (3.1 vs 2.865 [p=0.0927]). Conclusion: An educational poster placed in the waiting area of a primary care practice improves patients' understanding of stroke. Thirty days after exposure, the information is retained adequately. These findings provide evidence supporting efforts to increase stroke related education in similar environments.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003