The Language of Recovery: How Effective Communication of Information Is Crucial to Restructuring Post-Stroke Life

But do you really want to give stroke survivors more information? It is going to make the stroke medical world look totally incompetent.
1. Only 10% of patients get to full recovery.
2. tPA only fully works to reverse the stroke 12% of the time. Known since 1996.
3. No protocols to prevent your 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study.
4. Nothing to alleviate your fatigue.
5. Nothing that will cure your spasticity.
6. Nothing on cognitive training unless you find this yourself.
7. No published stroke protocols.
8. No way to compare your stroke hospital results vs. other stroke hospitals.   

The Language of Recovery: How Effective Communication of Information Is Crucial to Restructuring Post-Stroke Life

Sharon Anderson & Nancy J. Marlett

Pages 55-67 | Published online: 02 Feb 2015

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• http://dx.doi.org/10.1310/NPC4-01YV-P66Q-VM9R

Abstract

Background: Providing appropriate and effective information to people with stroke and their families has been identified as a key component to successful practice. Researchers continue to focus on “lack of information” as being the lack of specific technical medical information rather than the communication of practical knowledge and how people use that knowledge to restructure life after stroke. To meet patients’ expectations and achieve better outcomes in stroke, professionals need access to communication theory, research, and training.  
Objectives: Improve stroke communication systematically.  
Method: This article will examine stroke communication using a three-part framework: 1. Utilize theory to clearly conceptualize how communication influences stroke outcome. 2. Identify components and mechanisms of communication content to positively influence stroke outcome. 3. Develop goals and strategies for putting content skills into stroke communication practice. Conclusion: Relatively little is known about the content and structure of informal communication transactions between stroke survivors, families, and health care professionals and how they accommodate (or resist) realignment of identity after stroke. The professional discourse attempts to ensure realistic expectations of recovery whereas stroke survivors and families complain about the negative discourses, how possibilities for life after stroke are presented, and the hopelessness that this creates. More research is required into how these different discourses affect outcomes.