Development and evaluation of an ICF-based patient education program for stroke-patients

Carla Sabariego (Munich, Germany)

The objective of this project is to develop and evaluate an ICF-based patient education program for stroke-patients attending an in-patient or day-patient rehabilitation facility. The education program intends to increase patients' understanding of the determinants of their own level of functioning, to enhance their self-efficacy and hence to improve their skills in fulfilling everyday life responsibilities after rehabilitation.
The multicentre randomised controlled intervention study evaluates the effects of the intervention ("usual treatment" plus "placebo-intervention" versus "usual treatment" plus ICF-based patient education program) in the intervention group in comparison to the control group at two time points: at discharge from the rehab hospital and 6 months after discharge.
The education program optimally supports the discharge management at the end of the stay in a rehabilitation hospital. It allows the patient to reflect the total course of rehabilitation including the recommendations to follow different therapies. In the medium and long term, this education program may contribute to the improvement of patients' functioning and thus the reduction of costs. There exists the possibility of adapting the program for other patient groups and areas of health care.

For more information contact:Carla Sabariego