Development of the stroke patient concerns inventory: A modified Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Stroke survivors frequently experience persistent physical, psychological, and social challenges.
• Patient Concerns Inventories (PCIs) are established tools for assessing patient concerns in various health conditions.
• A specific PCI for stroke care was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) tailored for individuals recovering from stroke.
• To ensure the tool addresses the multifaceted concerns of stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study design was employed, involving academic and healthcare professionals with stroke care expertise.
• Initial items were generated from existing literature and expert discussions (Nominal Group Technique).
• Iterative feedback and ranking by 38 experts refined the draft inventory through multiple rounds until consensus.

Main Results:

• 64 potential items were initially generated, reduced to a final draft of 53 items.
• The highest-ranked concerns included 'Risk of another stroke', 'Walking', and 'Recovery'.
• Expert consensus was achieved after three rounds of feedback and amendments.

Conclusions:

• A Stroke Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) has been successfully developed.
• The tool incorporates patient-reported concerns and expert professional input.
• Further validation through pilot studies is planned to assess acceptability and usability.