INCoPAS

The sudden onset of a stroke and, depending on the severity of the health-related impairments, the person affected and their carers are torn from their previous lives. This event can trigger a variety of physical, psychological and social stresses. In order to counteract these stresses, carers need individually tailored information from professional healthcare and nursing staff in the in-patient setting. This type of information provides initial orientation and reassurance. In addition, nurses can promote the health literacy of caregivers in counselling sessions with accompanying good written health information. Evidence-based guidelines (NICE, 2017) emphasise that good communication is essential in this situation and should be accompanied by evidence-based written information. However, there are particular challenges in communicating information content, not least due to a lack of knowledge about the information needs of people with a low level of education, language barriers and people with a different cultural background. The prevalence of stroke among people with a low level of education is higher than in the population as a whole, and these people and their carers are also difficult to reach through supportive self-help groups. In order for healthcare and nursing staff to be able to provide good health information, the first step is therefore to have in-depth knowledge of the information needs of this specific group of people.