Epidemiology of stroke in the Highlands
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The epidemiology of stroke patients and their primary care in the Highlands of Scotland
IRAS ID
156005
Contact name
Alasdair J Mort
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Research summary
The Highlands of Scotland represent considerable challenges to the deliver of fast and effective immediate care to stroke patients. Much of the Highlands is classified as ’Very Remote Rural’, defined as ’An area with a population of less than 3,000 people, and with a drive time of over 60 minutes to a settlement of 10,000 or more’ (Scottish Government 2010). Rural transportation networks tend to be poor, with many routes susceptible to closure. Air transport is also limited; there are only two Scottish Ambulance Service helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft serving the whole of Scotland. These factors very much limit the speed at which patients can be reached after they have suffered a stroke (eg by ambulance) and increase the time it takes to reach definitive care.
The aim of this study is to understand in detail the nature of stroke patients in the Highlands, focusing in particular on their route to receiving primary care, from the onset of symptoms and to whom the first call for help is made, to time to admission to a specialist stroke unit (ie definitive care) and identifying what type of stroke each patient suffered. This research will be addressed through accessing and analysing historical data (2010-2013) already collected from NHS groups within the Highland region; held by staff at the Stroke Unit at Raigmore Hospital. Descriptive statistics will be produced, followed by more sophisticated statistical analyses and association with urban/rural classification.
Care pathways developed for the more populated areas of Scotland are perhaps not appropriate for the less populated Highlands of Scotland, and as such a unique model of service delivery and evaluation could be pivotal to enhancing stroke outcome in rural areas. This research will assist in understanding and mapping the pathways experienced by stroke patients in remote and rural Scotland.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
14/NS/0092
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion