Health policy for telestroke in France: A retrospective description from 2003 to 2016

Stroke is a public health priority in France. The use of telemedicine for stroke known as telestroke, is a safe and effective practice improving access to acute stroke care including thrombolysis. Telestroke is currently being implemented in France. The objective was to describe the public health policy supporting telestroke implementation in France.

An external ex-post evaluation of telestroke policy in France was conducted through a retrospective descriptive study from 2003 to 31^st December 2016. Process, content, and actors of the health policy were described at a national level. The logical framework of the telestroke policy was described. The stages model of public policy from the 'Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec' was used.

Agenda setting was produced from 2003 to 2007. Policy formulation lasted from 2008 to 2009 with official reports on telemedicine, telehealth and stroke. The decision-making stage included the national stroke plan, the national telemedicine implementation strategy and an administrative document in 2012 that described the organization of telestroke implementation. Implementation in 2011 was initiated with dedicated funding and methodological resources. No dedicated evaluation of policy for telestroke was defined.

Using a health policy model allowed to describe the policies supporting telestroke implementation in France and to highlight the need for better evaluation.