Developing a stroke-vision care pathway: a consensus study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Visual impairment is a common and often overlooked consequence of stroke.
• Effective management of post-stroke visual deficits requires specialized care pathways.
• Current care gaps exist in seamlessly integrating vision rehabilitation into stroke recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive stroke-vision care pathway for stroke survivors experiencing visual impairment.
• To establish a clear process for identifying and referring patients to appropriate vision services.
• To improve access to specialized care for vision problems following a stroke.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature review of existing stroke and vision care pathways.
• Utilized semi-structured and nominal group techniques in focus groups to gather consensus on pathway components.
• Incorporated feedback from patient and professional groups to refine the pathway.

Main Results:

• Identified limited existing pathways, necessitating the development of a new integrated model.
• Focus groups highlighted key patient journey aspects: symptom presentation, timing, and service relevance.
• Pathway refinement addressed symptom reporting, referral triggers, and duration from stroke onset.

Conclusions:

• The developed stroke-vision care pathway provides a structured approach for accessing vision services.
• It aims to ensure stroke survivors receive timely and relevant referrals based on their specific visual condition.
• This pathway is a crucial resource for improving rehabilitation and support for individuals with post-stroke visual impairment.