The CareFile Project

The CareFile Project is an individualized program to educate patients following a stroke. The program provides individuals with acute stroke with Stroke Association information leaflets and an individualized CareFile information booklet. The book includes contact information for stroke-related services, local support agencies, general information about stroke, and information tailored to the individual, including secondary prevention measures. Participants in the program receive follow-up care in the Stroke Review Clinic, where the contents of the CareFile book are explained and additional concerns are addressed. During follow-up visits, members of the multi-disciplinary stroke review team enter summaries of achievements and future rehabilitation goals to the patient's CareFile booklet.

The goal of the CareFile project is to improve patients' knowledge and satisfaction level following stroke.

In a randomized pilot study of the CareFile project, patients in the intervention group were compared to usual care patients. At baseline, there were no significant differences in patient knowledge between groups (p > 0.05), measured using a stroke knowledge questionnaire. At three and six months post-stroke the intervention group had significantly better knowledge of stroke (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 respectively). There were no differences between groups regarding satisfaction with the information received.