Publication Date

5-5-2024

Document Type

Student Project

First Advisor

Sharp, Jennifer

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Department

School of Nursing

Abstract

It has been found across current studies and evaluations of stroke care and patient outcomes that there is a disparity in disability and mortality between male and female patients who have experienced stroke. The aforementioned studies did not identify the cause of this disparity, although a number of hypotheses for this phenomenon were provided. This study then conducted a preliminary survey of 130 participants, both men and women, aged 18-80 years old, to evaluate potential barriers to accessing stroke care and receiving treatment effectively. Preliminary survey data demonstrated consistent gaps in knowledge related to stroke risks, stroke symptoms, and when to seek care for a suspected stroke. Gaps in knowledge were greater when the symptoms and risks being evaluated were most common in women. Simplified patient education materials were then developed to address identified gaps in knowledge with education efficacy assessed through use of survey data collected before and after review of the educational material. Results revealed that the focused patient education materials were effective in addressing gaps in knowledge related to stroke, with significant improvement in knowledge specifically relating to female patients. Reported confidence in understanding of stroke also increased significantly after use of educational materials. Overall, this study demonstrated support for the hypotheses that there are gaps in knowledge among the general public relating to stroke, with more severe deficits in stroke knowledge specific to female patients and that these gaps may be effectively addressed through the use of focused, simplified patient education materials.

Additional Files
Annerino_Stroke Patient Education.pdf (186 kB)
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