An Association between Communication from Health-care Providers and Prevalence of Medical Complications in Post-stroke Patients: A Questionnaire Based Observational Study on Effectiveness of Practice

Abstract

Background: Most medical complications after stroke are potentially preventable and treatable if recognized early through effective health education to health-care providers, this education would make patient care-givers more vigilant in recognizing, preventing complications and help initiate treatment early. Aim: To assess the impact of effective communication from healthcare providers and recovery and rehabilitation in stroke patients in a tertiary hospital. Methodology: Questionnaire-based observational study done on 50 patients through Non-purposive convenience sampling. Study subjects were recruited from General Medicine and Neurology departments presenting within a year after stroke in an outpatient/inpatient setting. Patient's caretaker as well as the person attending the hospital with the patient were made to answer a questionnaire. Data was analysed using Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS-23 statistical software was used to analyse the data collected. Results: Based on the questionnaire, 46% of the care providers have reported that the health care providers had effectively educated them regarding post- stroke care and rehabilitation, whereas 19% had reported ineffective communication and the remaining 35% had partial understanding of the same. Infections such as Urinary Tract Infection and aspiration pneumonia were seen in 44% and 24 % of the patients respectively, out of which 9% (p= 0.41) and 8.3%(p=0.394) of them reported inadequate communication on care of catheter and Ryle’s tube. Conclusion: A difference in knowledge, attitude & practice (KAP) of healthcare providers is a common problem noted in many tertiary healthcare centres. Proper communication from healthcare providers is ideal in all stroke patients to reduce prevalence of complications, thereby improving outcomes and reducing costs. It is hoped that these measures will eventually translate into better care for patients and reduce stroke-related morbidity.