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(Stroke. 2008;39:264.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Advances in Stroke 2007

Advances in Health Policy 2007

From the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre (R.F.L.), Dalhousie University, Halifax NS Canada; Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit (A.G.R.), Royal College Physicians, London, Stroke Physician, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK; Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre (C.A.), Dalhousie University, Halifax NS Canada.

Correspondence to Renée F. Lyons, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS Canada B3J 3T1. E-mail Rlyons@dal.ca

Key Words: advances • health policy • knowledge translation • outcomes

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

Notable advances have been made in stroke policy and outcomes research over the past year. Policy-relevant gray and published research is included in this review. The advances selected are organized under 3 areas: stroke policy and related evidence, predictive modeling, and quality improvement.

Stroke Policy and Related Evidence

The Role of Evidence in Stroke Policy Investments
Different types of evidence are required at each stage in the development and implementation of large scale stroke strategies. The role of evidence was examined in the development of the Ontario Stroke System (a $30 million per year health policy initiative to improve stroke care in Ontario, Canada). Researchers identified key stages in the implementation process and the various types of evidence mobilized at each stage.¹ The value of this research for stroke knowledge translation and policy is that evidence can be systematically organized and shared strategically to achieve policy commitments.

Strategies for Improving Stroke Care
The Helsingborg Declaration 2006 on European Stroke Strategies² is a consensus document with substantial potential for influencing stroke policy in Europe. The Declaration states that by 2015 all persons in Europe with stroke should have access to a continuum of care in the acute phase including rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Clear goals for improving outcomes, the means to achieve them, and evaluation are outlined. The document also calls for a system to be established to incorporate new research into stroke care.

In Canada, work continues on implementing the Canadian Stroke Strategy. The Canadian Stroke Network, a national center of excellence, has been a major contributor in developing research and knowledge translation toward improved policy and care.³ . . . [Full Text of this Article]