JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

We co-designed a novel multicomponent Care Assistant and support Program for people after Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CAPS) to augment secondary prevention of stroke.

Objective:

Following completion of a feasibility study, we sought feedback from Australian clinicians and service provider representatives (the potential deliverers of CAPS) regarding their perceptions of CAPS for secondary prevention, and pathways to real-world adoption.

Methods:

Qualitative descriptive study of clinicians and service provider representatives involved in delivery of stroke care around Australia. A pragmatic convenience sample was obtained from previous CAPS co-design study participants, leveraging professional networks (e.g., LinkedIn), and distributing study flyers and newsletters via Primary Healthcare Networks, General Practitioner (GP) networks, and social media posts (CSIRO LinkedIn pages). Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted virtually with clinicians and representatives of the Stroke Foundation (Australia). Data were thematically analysed using an integrated approach.

Results:

Three Stroke Foundation representatives and eighteen clinicians participated, from five Australian states, including medical specialists, GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals. We collected their perceptions of CAPS, including potential benefits of the program for secondary prevention, and considerations for facilitators and challenges to real-world program implementation. Discussion regarding the perceived benefits focussed more on the benefits to patients than to clinicians. Program implementation sub-themes included program initiation and duration, patient support considerations; and workflow alignment, which included consideration of barriers and enablers to uptake within primary care practice and Stroke Foundation outreach support programs.

Conclusions:

There was support from participants for the potential of CAPS to improve secondary prevention of stroke. However, addressing the challenges raised by participants including further implementation and integration considerations, such as sustainability of the model of care, are likely required for CAPS to be successfully embedded within clinical settings.