There are an estimated 9000 strokes a year in New Zealand, and that number was expected to rise by 40% in the next decade.
Researchers from the University of Otago, the University of Auckland and other partner organisations, are working on a Health Research Council-funded project, after meeting stroke survivors to explore their experiences, challenges, and how to overcome them.
Focus study leader and University of Auckland Associate Prof Matire Harwood said stroke survivors made many positive comments on the diagnostic process and their care in hospitals.
But negative experiences included the stroke care workforce appearing to be ‘‘run off their feet’’ and not always being experts in the field.
Many also mentioned not receiving enough information, particularly about why they had had a stroke.
Several Maori and Pacific participants stressed the importance of having doctors who spoke their language to help address cultural and language barriers.
Overall research programme leader and University of Otago (Wellington) Prof Anna Ranta said they reported major gaps and inconsistencies in community care received after a stroke.
‘‘Most waited one to two weeks for follow-up care, but others waited two to five months, so people felt they had not reached the full potential of their recovery, or had ended up paying for disability living aids themselves.’’
At-risk populations also experienced worse access to key stroke interventions.
She said the differences in outcomes for Maori could not be accounted for solely by differences in baseline risks, such as lifestyle or socio-economic factors.
‘‘At least some of the differences are likely attributable to unconscious bias and institutional racism in the health service.’’
Prof Ranta said researchers were now making concerted efforts to collaborate with Maori health providers and consumers, the Ministry of Health, the National Stroke Network and the Stroke Society of Australasia to develop education programmes on cultural safety and to actively collaborate with Maori and non-urban stroke survivors to improve stroke care.
In addition, district health board leadership teams were being sent individual district health board reports on their performance, based on this research programme, to help with priority setting and monitoring of progress.
