The free post-stroke clinic: a successful teaching and learning model

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Healthcare students face challenges in understanding complex cerebrovascular accident (stroke) diagnosis and management.
• Traditional didactic methods are often insufficient for teaching effective stroke care due to diverse clinical presentations and sequelae.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a free post-stroke clinic model integrated into occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) curricula.
• To evaluate the clinic's effectiveness as a hands-on learning experience for students and a service for stroke survivors.
• To assess the clinic's role in facilitating university stroke research and student clinical readiness.

Main Methods:

• A free post-stroke clinic was established as part of OT and PT curricula.
• Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 119 students, faculty supervisors, and 78 participating stroke patients over one year.
• Student learning, preparedness for clinical rotations, patient functional progress, and patient satisfaction were assessed via questionnaires.

Main Results:

• 100% of students reported enhanced learning of stroke diagnosis.
• 98% of PT and 94% of OT students felt better prepared for clinical rotations.
• An average of 93% of patients reported functional progress, and 96% would recommend the clinic.
• Faculty noted the clinic's value in assessing student professional and clinical behavior.

Conclusions:

• The free post-stroke clinic serves as an effective model for interprofessional education in stroke care.
• The model benefits students through hands-on experience, patients through community service, and universities through research opportunities.
• This clinic provides a reliable method for assessing student readiness for clinical practice in stroke rehabilitation.