Stop Stroke

Department of Public Health Sciences

Home of the
South LondonIStroke Register SLSR

Stop Stroke:
The South London Stroke Secondary Prevention Programme

Funded by:

The Stroke Association 1999-2004, MRC (Training Fellowship), PPP Foundation 2002-2005

Study team:

Ms Judith Redfern*

Prof Lalit Kalra

Dr Christopher McKevitt

Prof Hugh Markus

Dr Alan Maryon-Davis

Dr Anthony Rudd

Prof Jenny Wilson-Barnett

Prof Charles Wolfe*

Background:

Stroke patients have a 15-fold increased risk of stroke yet there are clear deficiencies in the current management of stroke risk factors. We will establish and evaluate a multifaceted approach to secondary prevention in South London where we have identified poor access to primary care and a high risk population. This programme will improve both patient-professional communication and the clinical management of risk factors.

Aims:

The long term aim is to improve the secondary prevention of stroke. The following steps are required to achieve this end.

What are stroke patients' and carers' attitudes towards lifestyle changes and current management of secondary prevention?
How appropriate is verbal communication of secondary prevention advice?
How appropriate is patient information literature on secondary prevention?
What are the appropriate interventions that should be evaluated?
How effective is the secondary prevention programme?

Design:

During phase 1 we will investigate patients' perspectives on secondary prevention using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In phase 2, these data will be used to develop a package of interventions to improve secondary prevention focusing on improving both the qualitiy of secondary prevention advice and management, together with improving the coordination of care.The programme will be evaluated over 3 years by cluster RCT funded by PPP.