Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Newcastle University Institute of Ageing, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Fam Pract. 2019 Jul 31;36(4):506-510. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmy109.
Memory and cognitive deficits post stroke are common and associated with increased risk of future dementia. Rehabilitation tends to focus on physical recovery; however, once in the community, it is unclear what happens in the longer term to the stroke-survivor with new memory difficulties.
The aim of this qualitative study was to examine in stroke-survivors what factors influence contact with health professionals.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stroke-survivors and their family carers where memory difficulties were reported at 6 months post stroke. A topic guide was used which sought to critically examine participants care experience following their stroke diagnosis. All participants were interviewed at baseline (around 6 months post stroke) and offered an interview at around 12 months post stroke. All interviews were conducted in the North East of England. All transcripts were coded and thematically analysed.
Ten stroke-survivors (age range 72-84 years) were interviewed alongside five carers at baseline; eight stroke-survivors and four carers agreed to a follow-up interview. Three main barriers were identified: (i) fear of a dementia diagnosis; (ii) denial or minimization of symptoms leading to adaptation and (iii) obstacles to seeking help in the community.
With an ageing population and increase in stroke-survival, the burden of post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia will only increase. Stroke-survivors and their family carers in this study have identified issues that may hinder their presentation to health care professionals at a personal and organizational level. Health professionals need to be aware of these potential issues when planning services for stroke-survivors.
脑卒中后记忆和认知功能障碍较为常见，且与未来痴呆风险增加相关。康复治疗通常侧重于身体恢复；然而，一旦患者回到社区，对于有新的记忆障碍的脑卒中幸存者，他们在长期内会发生什么情况尚不清楚。
本定性研究旨在探讨脑卒中幸存者中有哪些因素会影响他们与卫生专业人员的接触。
对有记忆障碍的脑卒中幸存者及其家属在脑卒中后 6 个月时进行半结构化访谈。使用主题指南对参与者的护理经历进行批判性检查，该指南旨在探讨参与者在脑卒中诊断后的护理经历。所有参与者均在基线时（脑卒中后约 6 个月）接受访谈，并在脑卒中后约 12 个月时提供访谈。所有访谈均在英格兰东北部进行。所有访谈记录均进行编码并进行主题分析。
共对 10 名脑卒中幸存者（年龄 72-84 岁）及其 5 名家属进行了基线访谈；8 名脑卒中幸存者及其 4 名家属同意进行随访访谈。确定了三个主要障碍：（i）害怕被诊断为痴呆；（ii）否认或最小化症状导致适应性变化；（iii）在社区寻求帮助的障碍。
随着人口老龄化和脑卒中存活率的提高，脑卒中后认知障碍和痴呆的负担只会增加。本研究中的脑卒中幸存者及其家属已经确定了一些可能会影响他们在个人和组织层面上向医疗保健专业人员就诊的问题。在为脑卒中幸存者规划服务时，卫生专业人员需要意识到这些潜在问题。
