I found this article particularly interesting. The article is entitled “Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Recognition in Individuals with Prior Stroke”. The researchers basically asked if people were able to recognize a stroke when it happened in front of them. The researchers also asked if a person who had suffered a stroke could identify a stroke themselves. Therefore, the concentration of the study was to see if further stroke education was necessary in communities. 2,970 subjects were taken as a sample for the study. These individuals were all placed into groups of age, race/ethnicity, income, education, and health. Several other characteristics were taken into account in the study. Health for example was considered just in case if the subject has diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.
The study took place through phone completed surveys. The subjects were asked if certain symptoms pertained to stroke. Researchers had previously characterized five symptoms as being central to stroke. They also asked if they would call for emergency assistance or wait for someone else to do so. Surprisingly, the results indicated that only 32% of the subjects correctly identified the five symptoms of stroke (Ellis and Egede, 2008). Then of those 26% would have also called or emergency assistance (Ellis and Egede, 2008).
This study striking with its findings. How could these people not have wanted to call for emergency assistance? This goes to show that further education in stroke is necessary in communities. The basic though and instinct of being a good samaritan would also go far. At an early age, these symptoms could be taught in order to further inform the people. This way people who suffer from stroke can be taken to the hospital and treated faster. It's common sense that your brain needs blood. The more time these people have the more likely they will recuperate from the stroke.
Source Citation
Ellis, Charles and Egede, Leonard E. Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Recognition in Individuals with Prior Stroke. Association of Schools of Public Health Vol. 123: 518-522, 2008.
This study was very interesting. However, I would have to wonder how accurate talking on the phone could really be. I like to think that even without knowing the signs of a stroke that a person who can recognize that something isn't right would at least call someone, hopefully 911. But it would be better in stroke prevention and treatment if we could have a greater awareness of someone could be having a stroke.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder how accurate a study can be that's based solely on phone interviews. Additionally, the study looked purely at the responses of 2,970 adults with a history of stroke. Whether or not someone makes an emergency call to the police or the hospital problems depends on the type and severity of the stroke - a factor not taken into account in the study.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if the authors are already going to look at racial differences, why only pick non-Hispanic white, non-hispanic black, and non-hispanic white? Why not look at Pacific Islander, American Indian, Asian, or other races as well? It seems odd and random to only pick two minority groups and compare them to everyone else.
Despite this, the paper's finding that the majority of people cannot tell if they're having a stroke and taking appropriate action is very interesting. Clearly, people with a history of stroke need to be further educated so they can recognize the symptoms.
This study is very interesting but it is alarming that only 32% of subjects could identify the 5 symptoms of a stroke. This is definitely proof that further education is needed in our communities as you mentioned. I would assume that if someone thought something is not right in their body they would call for help, because this may not happen this may well be one of the key reasons why many people don't get help fast enough after stroke. I would like to see what would be the reason for people not to call emergency assistance, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteWow, I really enjoyed everyone's comments. Matt your experience is awesome! EMT are just plain awesome but it must be a very time consuming job and well stressful to say the least.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that when people see someone in an emergency or that needs help they think someone else will do it. Some people just push the responsibility onto someone else. Oh yeah someone else who walks by will deal with this. Someone else will call 911. Or the common line in a movie,"Is there a doctor here?". As human beings we don't want all this responsibility and frankly dealing with a human life is a tremendous job. That's why people just walk by and look. But I know there are other people out there that will stop and actually do something like call 911.
Wow its interesting to see comments from people who have first hand experience on the issue! I found this article really intriguing and shocking at the same time. Its hard to believe that only 26% would have called for emergency assistance. But as someone has mentioned above we don't know how accurate the results would be because we do not know how the phone interviews were conducted. Although many people may indeed have trouble recognizing a stroke, its hard to judge over the phone. I mean, depending on how the symptoms or problems are described to the person being interviewed it can really be skewed and I feel that the number would not be as low if they had actually seen a person with such symptoms. Regardless, I think its very important to place emphasis on educating people on symptoms of common medical concerns, especially stroke considering the importance for early treatment.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very enlightening. As mentioned earlier, a major factor to treating stroke is timing. The sooner the patient recieves medical attention, the better the prognosis will be. That being said, I think it is difficult to accurately predict how you would respond in certain situation without actully experiencing it. I think it's very sad that only 26% of people believe that they would call for assistance, however I question the accuracy of this study because it was done solely through phone interviews.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked by the number of people actually calling for medical assistance after realizing all the of first symptoms of stroke. I feel forgiving when I think about maybe these calls weren't made because of the uncertainty people felt when they assumed they noticed the signs of stroke. Either way, it should be pushed upon people to really take a stand because assuming that someone's life is in danger should be enough to do something.
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