Young stroke survivors have a variety of unmet needs, many which are unique to their cohort and can not be met in the same ways as the needs of >65 year-olds, Australian research shows.
An online survey of more than 100 stroke survivors, 18-55 years-old and from five continents, identified unmet needs across body and mind, emotions, information, daily life, relationships and social domains.
Notably, issues around planning a family or raising children were more relevant in younger than older people who have survived a stroke.
The survey found patient characteristics were related to their preference for how to have their needs met.
For example, <35 year-olds were less likely to prefer seeing a healthcare professional but women and people with higher levels of disability were more likely to prefer a clinician visit.
Overall though, survivors much preferred to see a clinician than use telehealth.
Proposed methods of meeting their needs and the number of people who endorsed that methods were:
- List of tips from other young stroke survivors – 115
- Face to face visit with a clinician – 102
- Articles about other young stroke survivors experience – 98
- Access to peer support – 91
- Factsheet with graphics and easy to read information – 90
- Media (podcast or video) from survivors – 74
- Media (podcast or video) from researchers – 61
- Telehealth – 44
The study authors, led by Melbourne University researchers and published in Neurology, said young stroke survivors were a heterogeneous group of people.
“These findings suggest that a “one size fits all” approach to stroke care is inappropriate The heterogeneity of preferences indicates that stroke care organisations and health services should develop diverse resources and services to be agile in response to the needs of the individual patient.”
“We further suggest that alternative resources can supplement clinician visits, with the young stroke survivor deciding the appropriate time to incorporate them into self management of his or her needs.”
An accompanying editorial in the journal said the incidence of stroke was increasing in younger people.
“Young stroke patients suffer from neurological disability, at an age when they are consolidating their career and family, and often their family members depend on them.”
“This situation is thus more emotionally and physically disabling than that of an elderly stroke survivor, who may be more focused on gaining independence in activities of daily of living,” the editorial said.
It said the study’s finding underscores the need to employ individual, personalised approaches to improve long-term quality of life in young stroke survivors.