A Survey On The Needs Of Stroke Survivors And Caregivers

Background and purpose: Assistance and supports are needed in stroke survivors’ daily life.but unmet needs were reported in survivors and less is known about the comprehensive analysis of different parts of the patients’ needs.This survey aims to investigate the needs and effect factors in stroke survivors and caregivers in urban and rural,which could provide a reference for the improvement of clinical treatment and stroke-related health service system,providing the stroke survivor with the greatest chance of a good recovery and more productive and independent life.Methods-A survey was conducted using an online survey launched by the World Stroke Organization(WSO).The survey selected stroke patients and caregivers in 9 hospitals during January 2015 to December 2016.The questionnaire included demands of psychological support,treatment and care,social support,and information.According to residence of patients,survivors and caregivers were divided into urban and rural groups.The level of needs was compared between the 2 groups,Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlate factors affecting levels of needs.Results-(1)1396 stroke survivors completed the survey,including 697 urban survivors and 699 rural survivors.The participants reported the top three needs are “receive psychological and emotional support in a form that best meets my needs”(98.6%,the tenth question),“receive care that is well coordinated”(98.5%,the eighth question)and “Be provided with hope for the best possible recovery I can make now and into the future”(98.4%,the seventh question).(2)Excepting “Be supported to return to work and/or to other activities I may choose to participate in after my stroke”(the thirteenth question),other aspects of need was positively correlated with education level(P <0.05).Older stroke survivors were more except to receive normative treatment,considerate care and financial or otherwise support(P <0.05).(3)education level was higher in urban stroke survivors(P<0.05),while time since first stroke in rural survivors was shorter than that in urban stroke survivors,Total needs and every aspect of needs in stroke survivors in urban were greater than those in rural.(4)1394 stroke caregivers completed the survey,including 699 urban survivors and 695 rural survivors.From their point of view,they thought the top three needs are “Receive a rapid diagnosis so they can be treated quickly”(98.4%,the threeth question),“receive care that is well coordinated”(98.2%,the eighth question)and “Access treatment regardless of financial situation,gender,culture or place that they live”(97.8%,the seventh question).(5)The caregivers with high education level have higher need in all espects(P <0.05).(6)The numbers of caregivers below 40 in urban were more than those in rural(P<0.001),the time since first stroke in rural stroke survivors was shorter than that in urban stroke survivors(P=0.019),Total needs and every aspect of needs in caregivers in urban were greater than those in rural(P<0.05).Conclusion-High demands of psychological support,treatment and care,social support and information were reported by stroke survivors and their caregivers.Of the above,psychological supports were needed most in stroke survivors,followed by treatment and care,information,social support.while treatment and care needed most in caregivers,followed by psychological supports,information and social support.Every aspect of needs in urban stroke survivors and caregivers were greater than those in rural.According to the survey,some suggestions are reached.First,clinician should popularize stroke knowledge to survivors and caregivers regularly to improve there awareness of needs,especially to rural survivors.Second,not only give survivors treatment and rehabilitation assist,but also psychological and emotional support.