Table 4

Summary of emergent themes from the needs assessment

Interview Topics

Supporting Themes

Indy

N = 28

Houston

N = 19

Current Provider Roles

Current roles of the provider to prevent a second stroke

81%

94%

Working with or referring to other professionals or VA programs to prevent a second stroke

54%

66%

Working with the patient, family, or caregiver to prevent a second stroke

15%

22%

Barriers and Supports to Secondary Stroke Risk Factor Management

Patient adherence/motivation/or set in their ways

85%

83%

Provider lacks the knowledge or training to assist in secondary stroke risk factor management

8%

22%

Level of support from the administration (barrier/support)

65%/15%

22%/41%

Other: factors and characteristics such as poor adherence, decreased motivation, patients not wanting to change, and patients not taking responsibility for their self, depression, cognition, stroke severity, reading/education level, family relationships

42%

56%

Patient lacks the cognition, education, knowledge, training, comfort to assist with prevention of a second stroke

38%

39%

Patient transportation

0%

39%

Suggestions on how to Enhance Secondary Stroke Risk Factor Management Throughout the Continuum of Care

Desired resources: staff/provider education, handouts and pamphlets, standard training and discharge list, videos, support groups

93%

70%

Training about what resources are available in the VA system, how to refer

38%

41%

Timing of stroke risk factor management is important

30%

41%

Other: important aspects of care: empowerment and encouragement of the patient, blood pressure machines, increased time with patient specifically for secondary stroke prevention information and training, and time to work with the family.

38%

65%

Schmid et al. Implementation Science 2010 5:97   doi:10.1186/1748-5908-5-97