Service needs of stroke survivors and their informal carers: a pilot study

This pilot study prepares the way for a controlled evaluation of counselling of disabled stroke survivors and their carers. It assesses feasibility of methods and outcome measures potentially useful in the main study. The study elicited information about the psychological, physical, social and service needs, and the feelings of stroke survivors and their informal carers. Twenty patients and their carers were interviewed separately in their own homes. Results describe research tools which were refined, and demonstrate several unmet needs in the psychosocial domain. The main findings were a requirement for more information about stroke and for counselling in relation to 'care' problems arising out of the disability of stroke disease and the changes in dependency produced.