Effects of a physiotherapist-led stroke training programme for nurses

to assess the effects of a physiotherapist-led stroke training programme for nurses working in a rehabilitation ward on clinical practice and patient outcome.

before and after group comparison with outcome assessment by observational and quantitative methods. Non-participant observation before and after the 5-month training programme recorded patient position, transfers and contact with nursing staff. Quantitative assessments of disability, satisfaction and mood were made at baseline, discharge and 4 months after stroke onset. We also noted selected stroke complications, rehabilitation ward length of stay and discharge destination.

there was a significant improvement in the number of observed 'good' transfers of patients undertaken by nurses (chi2 = 9.13, df = 1, P = 0.003) but the training programme had no impact on the time the patients spent in 'poor' positions. There was no significant difference between the two groups for Barthel index scores at discharge and at 4 months. Neither was there any significant difference in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, occurrence of secondary complications, length of stay or the Patient and Carer Satisfaction Questionnaires.

within the limitations of the research design adopted, some improvements in clinical practice were reported but there were no significant differences in patient outcome. The training programme required no additional resources and should be replicable in most district general hospitals.