Delivery styles and formats for different stroke information topics: Patient and carer preferences

ObjectiveTo identify the preferences of patients with stroke and their carers for format and delivery style, of different categories of stroke information, and whether these preferences changed over time.MethodsA semi-structured questionnaire, designed to explore preferences for four topic categories was administered to 34 acute stroke unit patients and 18 carers prior to discharge and again, 3 months after discharge to 27 of these patients and 16 of these carers.ResultsOverall format preferences were a combination of face-to-face, written and telephone for both patients and carers prior to discharge. This combination continued for carers following discharge, while patients preferred face-to-face, written and alternative formats of online and audiovisual at this time. Patients and carers most frequently preferred delivery styles appeared to be a mix of active and passive delivery styles, across all topics. Access to a telephone hotline was a popular delivery style.ConclusionPatient and carer preferences varied, supporting the need to offer a variety of formats and delivery styles at each point of contact.Practice implicationsBy focusing on specific formats and delivery styles for different topics, health professionals may maximise the access to, and relevance of, stroke information for patients and their carers.