Faculty of Health

The Stroke Improvement programme of the Department of Health puts great emphasis on Stroke prevention and Life after Stroke. In addition to established cardiovascular heath screening detection and management of atrial fibrillation is now a key focus both in hospital and the community.   Stroke patients and their carers have consistently voiced their concerns about being abandoned after discharge form hospital with a stroke. The Department of Health has taken this as a lead to improve long term community services for stroke patients. Access to specialist long-term follow up is mandated in the stroke improvement programme.  There is a great need for developing specialist skills for stroke care in the community.

This module, through a reflective portfolio of cases will enable students to develop as critical thinkers and use those skills to develop project proposals for changes to practice. Employers will see their staff develop the skills to research, argue for and develop projects that they can see will make a difference in the areas of stroke prevention and life after stroke. Students will learn the skills to turn their ideas into practice.

The module aims to enhance students’ evidence based knowledge and analytical skills in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care that current (life after
stroke) and potential (prevention) stroke patients in the community receive, taking into consideration views of service users and contemporary healthcare policy.

Undergraduate qualification or equivalent in a healthcare related discipline and actively involved in stroke care.

The module will cover the scientific basis and contemporary healthcare policy relating to 1. Primary and secondary stroke prevention, 2. Assessment of cognition, mood,
functional status, and disability, 3. Therapeutic interventions, 4. Physical, social, and psychological recovery form stroke, and 5. Return to normal work and leisure
activities.

Activities will include: self directed learning, interviews with stroke survivors and their carers, observation of the community stroke team, visits to stroke clubs and
stroke care facilities, small group work and presentations, case-based discussions and critical appraisal work on scientific and healthcare policy literature.

1. Portfolio of 1500 words critically analysing 5 clinical cases from practice illustrating aspects of stroke prevention and life after stroke (collective word count 1500).
2. Proposal for an approach to improve stroke prevention or an aspect of life after Stroke.  The proposal should include critical description of the evidence base, local and national guidance, justification for the proposed service improvement, description of the method of implementation, as well as an outline of the benefits to the patient and the health economy.