patient experience of cognitive and mood assessment in stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do patients experience cognitive and mood assessment on admission for stroke: a qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
198517
Contact name
Diane Dixon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
People who survive stroke often experience problems with their cognition and mood. As a consequence, national and international guidelines recommend cognitive and mood screening, but give little guidance on which measures to use or when the assessments should occur. Patients are usually screened early after admission and may be screened on multiple occasions during their hospital stay. Early screening has intuitive appeal, but it is not based on a robust evidence base; the natural history of early cognitive and mood problems in stroke is yet to be established. Not only do we not yet understand how best to assess cognitive function and mood post-stroke, we have very little understanding of how these assessments are experienced by stroke patients and their families. Early assessment may not be a completely benign intervention. There is risk of misdiagnosis and the associated emotional impact and potential stigma associated with diagnostic labels should not be underestimated. There is a large and consistent literature describing the stigma and negative impact on self-identity and social relationships associated with receipt of a mental health or dementia diagnosis. Stroke itself has a significant disruptive impact on an individual’s sense of identity and their ability to perform valued social roles. Consequently, the receipt of an additional diagnosis of cognitive impairment or mood disorder might be especially problematic for stroke patients, particularly at a time when patients and their carers are having to come to terms with the primary diagnosis of stroke.
This study will use qualitative interviews with stroke patients to capture their experience of cognitive and mood assessment post-stroke.REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0178
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion