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Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Can mass media influence emergency department visits for stroke?
Corinne Hodgson1, Patrice Lindsay, Frank Rubini
1CSH Associates, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. corinne@cshodgson.com
Stroke
|June 2, 2007
Summary
Public awareness of stroke warning signs increased with TV ads, leading to more emergency department visits. Continuous advertising may be needed to sustain this effect and improve stroke response.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Television advertising has demonstrably increased stroke warning sign awareness in Ontarians over 45.
- Limited data exists on the link between stroke warning sign knowledge and patient behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between public knowledge of stroke warning signs and emergency department (ED) presentation behavior.
- To assess the impact of a public health campaign on stroke ED visits and transient ischemic attack (TIA) presentations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Canadian Stroke Network Registry (mid-2003 to early 2006) for ED stroke presentations.
- Employed public opinion polling to track stroke warning sign awareness among Ontarians aged 45+.
Main Results:
- Stroke warning sign awareness rose from 2003-2005, declining in 2006 post-advertising cessation.
- A significant increase in mean ED stroke visits occurred during the study.
- The campaign demonstrated a positive effect on total presentations, and timely presentations (within 5 and 2.5 hours).
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) presentations showed a strong campaign effect without a yearly increase.
Conclusions:
- Sustained advertising may be crucial for maintaining public awareness of stroke warning signs.
- While multiple factors influence stroke presentation, awareness is a key component.
- A significant correlation exists between advertising campaigns and ED stroke presentations, especially for TIAs.
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