The unfortunate generation: stroke survivors in Riga, Latvia
Abstract The poor health status of citizens in post-Soviet states has been reported but few studies have investigated the illness experiences of people in those countries. This paper reports findings from an interview study conducted with stroke patients in Riga, Latvia, who were part of a cohort recruited over 1 year for a European study comparing the provision of care, outcomes and resource use. The interview study aimed to elicit stroke patients’ own perceptions of the impact of stroke 1 year after the event. Adopting a phenomenological perspective we illustrate how the particular social setting shapes stroke as an illness, its influences on access to health care and on consideration of …
Variations in acute stroke care and the impact of organised care on survival from a European perspective: the European Registers of Stroke (EROS) investigators
Background The need for stroke care is escalating with an ageing population, yet methods to estimate the delivery of effective care across countries are not standardised or robust. Associations between quality and intensity of care and stroke outcomes are often assumed but have not been clearly demonstrated. Objective To examine variations in acute care processes across six European populations and investigate associations between the delivery of care and survival. Methods Data were obtained from population-based stroke registers of six centres in France, Lithuania, UK, Spain, Poland and Italy between 2004 and 2006 with follow-up for 1 year. Variations in the delivery of care (stroke unit, …
Patient engagement with research:European population register study
Background Lay involvement in implementation of research evidence into practice may include using research findings to guide individual care, as well as involvement in research processes and policy development. Little is known about the conditions required for such involvement. Aim To assess stroke survivors’ research awareness, use of research evidence in their own care and readiness to be involved in research processes. Methods Cross sectional survey of stroke survivors participating in population-based stroke registers in six European centres. Results The response rate was 74% (481/647). Reasons for participation in register research included responding to clinician request (56%) and to …