Effects of a physiotherapist-led stroke training programme for nurses

Aim: to assess the effects of a physiotherapist-led stroke training program me for nurses working in a rehabilitation ward on clinical practice and pat ient outcome. Method: before and after group comparison with outcome assessment by observ ational and quantitative methods. Non-participant observation before and af ter the 5-month training programme recorded patient position, transfers and contact with nursing staff. Quantitative assessments of disability, satisf action and mood were made at baseline, discharge and 4 months after stroke onset. We also noted selected stroke complications, rehabilitation ward len gth of stay and discharge destination. Results: there was a significant improvement in the number of observed 'goo d' transfers of patients undertaken by nurses (chi(2) = 9.13, d.f. = 1, P = 0.003) but the training programme had no impact on the time the patients s pent in 'poor' positions. There was no significant difference between the t wo groups for Barthel index scores at discharge and at 4 months. Neither wa s there any significant difference in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression s cale, occurrence of secondary complications, length of stay or the Patient and Carer Satisfaction Questionnaires. Conclusion: within the limitations of the research design adopted, some imp rovements in clinical practice were reported but there were no significant differences in patient outcome. The training programme required no addition al resources and should be replicable in most district general hospitals.