Evaluating current practice in the provision of written information to stroke patients and their carers

This study aimed to determine current practice in the provision of written information to 57 stroke patients and their carers. It also explored their informational needs while in hospital and 6 months later and examined the suitability of the written materials received, comparing readability levels to participants’ general reading ability. While in hospital, 22.8% of patients and 41.7% of carers received written information, yet 91.2% of patients and 100% of carers wanted information. More than half of the participants wanted information on preventing strokes, causes and risk factors of stroke, recovery, what a stroke is, strokerelated medications and sources of further information. At 6 months after stroke, 75.5% of patients and all carers wanted further information. The mean SMOG readability level of the written materials received was equivalent to a grade 11 level of education, compared to the patients’ mean reading ability, which was equivalent to a 7th-8th grade reading level. The authors conclude that stroke patients and their carers want substantially more information than they are receiving, both while in hospital and 6 months later. The majority of written information that is distributed to these people is unsuitable in terms of readability levels and other factors.