Assessment of the needs of the young stroke survivor

The authors thank Dr. Allen Heinemann, Director, Rehabilitation Services Evaluation Unit, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and Dr. Frederick I. Kviz, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Illinois-Chicago, for reviewing an early draft of this article.

Abstract

As part of program planning efforts by the RIC Stroke Team, convenience samples of 100 young (<60 years old) stroke survivors and 65 referring physicians were surveyed to determine the unique needs ofthis patient group. The correlation between survivors' and physicians' rankings of programs/activities value was not significant. Survivors ranked exercise/fitness, education/information, individual counseling, stress management, and recreation/social programs as the five most valuable programs. Physicians ranked education/ information, individual counseling, sexual, vocational, and family adjustment programs as the five most valuable. Other comparisons and program planning implications are analyzed and discussed.

Key words:

• stroke
• needs assessment
• young stroke

Notes

The authors thank Dr. Allen Heinemann, Director, Rehabilitation Services Evaluation Unit, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and Dr. Frederick I. Kviz, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Illinois-Chicago, for reviewing an early draft of this article.