Evaluation of family stroke education.

To increase families' involvement in rehabilitation, a series of informational sessions called the Family Stroke Education Class was implemented at a 305 bed medical center serving disabled veterans and their families. Questionnaires completed by family and patients at the meetings showed that anxiety level decreased significantly. More than 90% of participants felt more comfortable about approaching team members with questions in the future, and 77% felt more informed as a result of taking the class. Knowledge scores improved significantly and sustained over a 3 month time period. The educational format was a practical way of including the needs and soliciting participation of the family as well as a means for providing basic information on stroke rehabilitation.