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We aimed to explore stroke rehabilitation professionals' understanding and representations of peer support; the benefits they anticipated for patients; and the levers and barriers they perceived to implement the intervention in their practice. This qualitative study comprised four focus groups with 21 rehabilitation professionals and four semi-structured interviews. It was held in a French hospital. Interpretation was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Although professionals had poor knowledge on peer support, they identified many unmet needs of stroke survivors that peer support could meet such as social, emotional and informational support. Main barriers were the lack of human and financial resources, and of linkage between hospital and community professionals, and the fear that peer support would give false hope to survivors if not delivered properly. They showed ambivalence towards patient engagement, acknowledging its importance, but demonstrating top-down attitudes. They also identified potential avenues for the implementation of peer support for stroke survivors. Our study supports the necessity to involve professionals in the construction of peer-support interventions and to sensitise them to provide patient-centred care. It delivers insights on effective implementation strategies to develop peer support interventions for stroke survivors reintegrating the community. Stroke survivors experience many difficulties especially when transitioning from hospital to home, in which peer-support could be helpful. Success of peer-support interventions rely on the collaboration of healthcare professionals with peer supporters. Individual peer-support might be useful for stroke survivors in the following key dimensions: healthcare pathway orientation, social/administrative procedures, emotional support, informational support, informal caregivers support. Rehabilitation departments planning to implement individual peer-support, should consider supporting and training both the team and the peer-supporters to work together and adopt partnership postures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency Departments (ED) have seen an increasing number of older patients who are mostly referred following a call to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Long waiting times in settings, which are not designed to meet older patients' needs, may increase the risk of hospital‐acquired complications. Unnecessary visits should therefore be avoided as much as possible. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether a program to provide geriatric knowledge and tools to the dispatching physicians of the EMS could decrease ED referrals of older patients. Methods: Design: Before‐and‐after study with two 6‐month periods before and after intervention. Participants: All calls received by a dispatching physician of the Rhône EMS from 8 am to 6 pm concerning patients aged 75 years or above during the study period. Intervention: A program consisting of training dispatching physicians in the specific care of older patients and the developing, with a multidisciplinary team, of specific tools for dispatching physicians. Outcome: Proportion of ED referrals of patients aged 75 years or above after a call to the EMS. Results: A total of 2671 calls to the Rhône EMS were included corresponding to 1307 and 1364 patients in the pre‐and post‐intervention phases, respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of referrals to the ED between the pre‐intervention (61.7%) and the post‐intervention (62.8%) phases (p = 0.57). Contact of the patients with their General Practitioner (GP) in the month preceding the call was associated with a 22% reduced probability of being referred to an ED. Conclusions: No beneficial effect of the intervention was demonstrated. This strategy of intervention is probably not effective enough in such time‐constraint environment. Other strategies with a specific parallel dispatching of geriatric calls by geriatricians should be tested to avoid these unnecessary ED referrals. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials NCT02712450. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assess the changes in anxiety, depression, and stress levels over time and identify risk factors among healthcare workers in French emergency departments (EDs) during the first COVID-19 outbreak. A prospective, multicenter study was conducted in 4 EDs and an emergency medical service (SAMU). During 3 months, participants completed fortnightly questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression, and stress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression and the Chamoux-Simard scale. The changes in anxiety, depression, and stress levels over time were modelled by a linear mixed model including a period effect and a continuous time effect within periods. A total of 211 respondents (43.5 %) completed the survey at inclusion. There was a decrease in mean anxiety (from 7.33 to 5.05, p < 0.001), mean depression (from 4.16 to 3.05, p = 0.009), mean stress at work (from 41.2 to 30.2, p = 0.008), and mean stress at home (from 33.0 to 26.0, p = 0.031) at the beginning of each period. The mean anxiety level was higher for administrative staff (+0.53) and lower for paramedics (−0.61, p = 0.047) compared to physicians. The anxiety level increased with the number of day and night shifts (0.13/day, p < 0.001, 0.12/night, p = 0.025) as did stress at work (1.6/day, p < 0.001, 1.1/night, p = 0.007). Reassigned healthcare workers were at higher risk of stress particularly compared to SAMU workers (stress at work: p = 0.015, at home: p = 0.021, in life in general: p = 0.018). Although anxiety, depression, and stress decreased over time, anxiety was higher among physicians and administrative staff. Reassignment and working hours were identified as potential risk factors for mental health distress in EDs. • During the first COVID-19 outbreak, levels of anxiety, depression, and stress decreased over time among healthcare workers. • The levels of anxiety, remained higher for physicians and administrative staff than for paramedics. • Reassignment and working hours were identified as potential risk factors for mental health distress in EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timely recognition and management of transient ischemic attack (TIA) offer the greatest opportunity to prevent subsequent stroke. But variability of TIA management quality exists across hospitals. Under the impetus of national plans, measures were adopted to improve TIA management, including a structured local pathway. Our objective was to compare TIA management between two periods over 10 years, before and after the implementation of these measures. Methods: A before-and-after study was conducted with two identical population-based cohort studies in 2006–2007 (AVC69) and 2015–2016 (STROKE69) including all patients with TIA diagnosis over a 7-month period in six public and private hospitals in the Rhône county in France. The primary outcome was the adequate TIA management defined as brain and vessel imaging within 24 h of admission and the prescription of antithrombotic treatment at discharge. Results: We identified 109 patients TIA patients in 2006–2007, and 458 over the same period in 2015–2016. A higher proportion of patients were adequately managed in 2015–2016 compared to 2006–2007 (14/96 [15%] in 2006–2007 vs. 306/452 [68%] in 2015–2016, p < 0.001). This difference was mainly driven by a marked increase of vessel imaging performed within 24 h of admission, most often by computed tomography angiography. Furthermore, patients called more often emergency medical dispatch before admission, were admitted with a shorter delay after symptom onset, and were more likely discharged to home in 2015–2016 compared to 2006–2007. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated an increasing rate of adequate TIA management, mainly driven by a marked increase of vessel imaging within 24 h of admission, over a 10-year period in the Rhône county in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: L'unité mobile extrahospitalière de gériatrie de Lyon-Sud propose une expertise gériatrique pluridisciplinaire au domicile des patients. Elle émet des recommandations pour rationaliser le parcours du sujet âgé en fonction de ses problématiques. L'objectif principal était de déterminer le taux de suivi à 2 mois des recommandations, et l'objectif secondaire de décrire le profil des patients suivis. Cette étude a inclus 500 patients sur 2 ans et a analysé 1 677 recommandations. Le taux de suivi global était de 65,1 %. Les patients avaient un âge médian de 83,5 ans, 61 % étaient des femmes et 88 % avaient un GIR ≤ 4. L'application des recommandations permet une diminution des hospitalisations non programmées. L'implication de l'équipe à l'issue de la visite optimise la mi%se en œuvre de ces recommandations. Le grand effectif de cette étude permet de mieux décrire les patients vus à domicile : une population vulnérable présentant une polypathologie, dépendance, associés à un contexte socio-familial instable. Ce travail montre que les recommandations doivent être appliquées pour limiter les hospitalisations et que l'implication de l'équipe permet d'améliorer le suivi des préconisations. Mobile geriatric team making home visit (MGT) were created to reinforce the link between home and hospital. Frail elderly patients can benefit from a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) by a geriatric mobile team during a home visit. MGT at the hospital center of Lyon Sud presents recommendations after a CGA to better adjust healthcare to patients' needs. There are few studies that have analysed the MGT who treat patients at home. Objectives: The goal of the study was to determine adherence rate at 2 months and examines the socio-demographic profile of patients assessed by the MGT. We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study in single center, with 500 patients during 2 years (2016-2017). Results: The mean adherence rate was 65,1%. The highest rate concerned recommendations on the future orientation. The lower rate concerned recommendations on lifestyle and environment. Mean age of the 500 patients was 83.5 years, 61% were women. The patients included in this study take an average of seven prescription medications (whitout psychotropic medications). The majority of the patients was GIR 3 and achieved an average score of 3 on ADL scale and 2 of IADL scale. Ninety-six per cent of the patients had a caregiver. It has been proven statistically that, adherence rate of recommendations (more than 65%), reduce unplanned hospitalizations. Conclusion: This study with a large sample of patients allows to better describe patients seen at home. It is a vulnerable population presenting a polypathology, dependence, associated with an unstable socio-family context. This work shows that the recommendations must be applied to limit hospitalizations and that the involvement of the team makes it possible to improve the follow-up of the recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Adherence to post‐stroke secondary prevention medications mitigates recurrence risk. This study aimed to measure adherence to secondary prevention medications during 3 years post‐ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, using prescription and dispensing data, and identify factors associated with suboptimal adherence.This multicenter, prospective, cohort study involved patients from the STROKE 69 cohort, which included all consecutive patients with suspected acute stroke admitted between November 2015 and December 2016 to any emergency department or stroke center in the Rhône area in France. Prescription data for antihypertensive agents, antidiabetic agents, lipid‐lowering drugs, and antithrombotics were collected. Dispensing data were provided by the French regional reimbursement database. Adherence was calculated using the continuous medication acquisition index. Associations between suboptimal adherence and potential influencing factors across the World Health Organization's five dimensions were explored through univariate and multivariate analyses.From 1512 eligible patients, 365 were included. Optimal adherence to overall treatment (≥90%) was observed in 61%, 62%, and 65% of patients in the first, second, and third years, respectively. Education level (high school diploma or higher: OR = 3.24, 95% CI [1.49; 7.36]) and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Depression scores 8–10: OR = 1.90, 95% CI [1.05; 3.44]) were significantly associated with suboptimal adherence.Overall adherence to secondary prevention medications was fairly good. Having an initial diagnosis of transient ischemic attack, a high level of education, or depression was associated with increased odds of suboptimal adherence, while having a history of heart rhythm disorder was associated with lower odds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a patient's perspective, participation is a major determinant of quality of life. We aimed to review contextual factors, both personal and environmental, potentially associated with post-stroke participation. PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched for original quantitative and qualitative studies that investigated contextual factors of post-stroke participation, measured participation as the primary outcome, and met inclusion criteria. Socio-demographic determinants were mostly unrelated with participation or showed discordant and inconclusive results. Although less investigated, psychosocial/psychological factors, particularly self-esteem and acceptance, were associated with participation in most studies. Motivation was found in qualitative studies, but discordant in quantitative ones. Environmental factors were even less investigated and mainly in qualitative studies among patients with communication disabilities. Among these, social support and attitude of others appeared to be major determinants of participation as well as physical environment and societal environment (services and polices). Personal factors, particularly psychological and psychosocial factors, were identified as positively associated with post-stroke participation. Environmental factors such as support, relationships, and positive attitudes towards patients were major facilitators of participation as well as physical environment and accessibility to appropriate services. Most of these factors are modifiable and should be addressed to improve patient participation. Psychosocial factors (motivational aspects, acceptance of a new condition, self-esteem) and environmental factors (social support, attitudes towards the patient, physical environment, access to health, social services and policies) were identified as determinants of post-stroke participation. A structured evaluation of determinants of participation may be used in clinical practice to propose appropriate support and then improve patients' recovery Programs to improve patients' psychosocial skills such as self-esteem, acceptance, motivation should be tested and implemented, and policies to develop appropriate services accessibility should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Secondary prevention medications (SPM) reduce the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) recurrence. However, approximately one-third of patients are estimated to be non-adherent. This qualitative study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to adherence to SPM after IS or TIA. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 TIA patients and 22 IS patients who self-administered their treatment 12 months after IS/TIA. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: Major facilitators to good adherence to SPM were the fear of stroke recurrence and the high level of trust in the prescribing physician. Barriers included a perceived lack and/or inappropriate timing of information about SPM, practical difficulties of taking some SPM (eg, inadequate packaging) and of implementing routines into their daily life. Conclusion: Information on SPM is inadequate in terms of quantity and timing both during the acute IS/TIA period and over the long term. Providing more tailor-made information at an opportune moment, in particular by promoting discussion with their general practitioner (GP) throughout the course of illness and recovery, is essential to ensure that patients are not left alone in the decision-making process regarding adherence to SPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients with suspected stroke, brain imaging is recommended in the acute phase for appropriate management and treatment. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are considered reasonable choices for initial brain imaging. When both techniques are available, choosing one or the other might be associated with specific factors related either to patients, stroke symptoms, and severity or management organization. Methods: The study was performed within the STROKE 69 database, a population-based cohort of all adult patients with suspected stroke admitted in one of the emergency departments (ED), primary stroke center, or stroke center of the Rhône County, from November 2015 to December 2016. Patients were included if they were admitted within 24 h following either symptom onset or last known normal. To identify factors potentially associated with the choice of initial brain imaging, a multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results: Among the 3,244 patients with suspected stroke enrolled in the STROKE69 cohort, 3,107 (95.8%) underwent brain imaging within the first 24 h after admission. Among those 74.6% underwent CT as initial imaging while 25.4% had an MRI. In multivariate analyses, several factors were associated with a lower probability of having an MRI as initial brain imaging versus CT. These were either patient characteristics: older age (>80 years old, OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.28–0.54]), preexisting disability (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.36–0.84]), use of anticoagulants (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.33–0.81]), stroke characteristics: stroke of unknown onset (OR 0.42 [95% CI 0.31–0.58]) or factors associated with overall management: onset-to-door time (>6 h, OR 0.38 [95% CI 0.23–0.60]), initial admission to ED (OR 0.02 [95% CI 0.02–0.04]) or intensive care unit (OR 0.01 [95% CI 0.001–0.08]), personal transport (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.45–0.96]), and admission during working hours (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.51–0.84]). Conclusions: Besides CT or MRI availability, a number of other parameters could influence the choice of first imaging in case of stroke suspicion. These are related to patient characteristics, type of stroke symptoms, and type of organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As acute stroke services improve, more persons experience mild stroke and need to cope daily with hidden disabilities, which may be influenced by how they perceive stroke, cognitively and emotionally. To investigate cognitive illness beliefs and emotional responses in persons with mild stroke and their possible influences on daily coping. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 persons with mild stroke, on average 7.5 months (±0.89) after stroke occurrence. A thematic analysis on verbatim transcripts was guided by the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. All participants experienced difficulties constructing an illness identity at both acute and chronic phase. Behavioral risk factors were less accepted as causes of stroke. Lack (or inappropriate timing) of information from healthcare providers led to limited medication knowledge and low perceived control of stroke recurrence which generated anxiety, fear, and low involvement in coping. Participants who considered stroke a chronic condition experienced more difficulties. Perceived support from relatives and healthcare providers was beneficial for participation in recovery and health behaviour change. Despite having mildly disabilities, participants reported difficulties developing illness beliefs conducive to coping, and dealing with their emotional responses. These elements should be considered in tailored programs to improve coping with hidden disabilities post-stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secondary prevention is inadequate in the first 2 years after stroke but what happens after that is less documented. The aim of this study was to assess the use and the adherence to preventive drugs 3 and 6 years after experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or an ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: The population study was from the AVC69 cohort (IS or TIA admitted in an emergency or stroke unit in the Rhône area, France, for an IS or a TIA during a 7-month period). Medication use was defined as ≥1 purchase during the studied year and adherence as Continuous Measure of Medication Acquisition ≥0.8 using the French medical insurance health care funding database. Results: The study population consisted of 210 patients at 3 years and 163 patients at 6 years. Medication use at 3 and 6 years was, respectively, 80.9 and 79.8% for antithrombotics, 69.1 and 66.3% for antihypertensives, 60.5 and 55.2% for statins and 48.6 and 46.6% for optimal treatment defined as the treatment achieved by the use of the 3 drugs. Adherence to each class was good at 3 years and tends to decrease at 6 years. Conclusions: More than one patient out of 2 do not use the optimal preventive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]