Stroke can strike at any time. There is something more bothersome than the condition – a study has found that many stroke patients cannot even identify their primary physician.
Stroke patients during their recovery period were part of the study that found that about 60% of them could not recognize their doctor. The study included 55 stroke patients under treatment and 91 patients with general neurology or neurosurgery patients.
About 38% of the non-stroke patients too could not identify their physicians.
Stroke patients who do not understand medication are worrisome
The doctors attending to the stroke patients were more worried about the fact that such patients would not be able to understand their own care plan and medication. And the study found exactly that.
Among the stroke patients who could not identify their physician, 70% could not understand their care plan and medication as well. Meanwhile, about 40% of the non-stroke patients too could not understand their medication.
Researchers from Northwell Health in Manhasset, N.Y. said in a news release, that this called for the patient being clearly informed about their physician and the doctors on their part needed to be more careful in informing the patients about their care plan and medication.
Study co-author Dr. Jeffrey Katz explained, “Patients who do not know their medications well show an increased risk for subsequent strokes, and dissatisfaction with their care. This is, in essence, a patient satisfaction study telling us what we can do to increase patient satisfaction and compliance.”
Deliberating on the issue, study co-author Dr. Paul Wright pointed out that in present times several specialists and sub-specialists attend to a patient. So, it is important that the patient is specifically told about his primary physician.
“Just because we do certain things every single day doesn’t mean they’re second nature to the patients or staff members around us,” Wright explained. “Being more mindful of that will help patient satisfaction and medication compliance, which is what we want for all our patients.”
The findings of the study are due for presentation coming Wednesday, February 24 at American Stroke Association, Los Angeles.
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