Understanding the Lived Experience of the Stroke Patient : A Guide for Health Professionals

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the lived experiences of stroke patients, interwoven with healthcare professional expertise to provide evidence-based guidance for nurses and other healthcare professionals. It aims to enhance clinical practice and promote patient-centred care by bridging theory with real-world application.

Edited by a team that integrates academic, professional and personal experience of stroke, the book ensures that the patient perspective remains central throughout. This approach enables healthcare professionals, students and those living with the consequences of stroke to develop a deeper understanding of stroke's clinical, emotional and social impact, reinforcing the significance of compassionate and informed care in improving patient outcomes. This textbook offers a comprehensive exploration of stroke care, with contextual chapters that examine the nature of strokes, psychological and cognitive challenges and safe environments. Subsequent sections focus on specific Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as eating and drinking, sleeping and communication which provide targeted insights into everyday functional recovery.

To enhance learning transfer to clinical practice, the chapters incorporate reflective activities and questions, along with key knowledge summaries. Designed for nurses and allied health professionals, this resource serves as an essential learning tool for those new to stroke care while offering valuable insights for stroke survivors and experienced practitioners seeking to refine their approach to care delivery.

Catherine Forward is a Registered Adult Nurse and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse who has worked in nursing education for over a decade. She has a master’s in medical law and ethics and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Catherine has also supported a family member who had a stroke as a young adult.

Ruth Trout, with over 30 years of experience in the neurosciences specialty, Ruth has worked across neuroscience wards, intensive care and as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Ruth holds a BSc in Critical and Specialist Care (Neurosciences), an MSc in Advanced Practice, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She has been a member of the Executive Board of the British Association of Neuroscience Nurses and remains an active contributor to both the European Association of Neuroscience Nurses and the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses. Since 2010, Ruth has led the Stroke Care and Management module at Buckinghamshire New University, educating healthcare professionals from across the UK. Her professional expertise is complemented by her personal experience as the main carer for her grandmother, Molly, who experienced a mild ischaemic stroke in 2011, deepening her insight into patient and family perspectives in stroke care.

Jo Vincent is a Retired SEND teacher who worked in further education having studied BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies with a Certificate in Education with qualified teacher status (QTS). Jo has undertaken EbE work since 2022 and talks to a variety of students and healthcare professionals regarding her experiences as a stroke patient to inform and improve quality of care.