Effect of Public Education on Seeking Medical Attention for TIA or Minor Stroke

A public information campaign was associated with improved patient efforts to get medical attention for major stroke but had no effect on medical attention–seeking for transient ischemic attack or minor stroke.

Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke are at risk for additional, disabling strokes in the days and weeks following the initial symptoms. It is important for patients to be evaluated by medical personnel after these symptoms, since effective treatments are available to reduce stroke risk. Investigators studied whether a public education campaign using the well-known FAST acronym (Face-Arm-Speech-Time) affected the presentation of patients with TIA or minor stroke. The FAST campaign was conducted via TV ads for 4 to 6 weeks each year, supplemented with posters in public locations. The authors compared presentation of patients before and after April 2009 (when the FAST campaign started).

The study included 2243 patient…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Effect of Public Education on Seeking Medical Attention for TIA or Minor Stroke

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Reviewing Author