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Introduction The decisions of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments are difficult to make in the context of emergency departments (EDs) because most patients are unable to communicate. Relatives are thus asked to participate in the decision‐making process, although they are unprepared to face such situations. We therefore aimed to develop a standardised intervention for announcing decisions of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in EDs and assess the efficacy of the intervention on the stress of relatives.Methods and analysis The DISCUSS trial is a multicentre stepped-wedge cluster randomised study and will be conducted at nine EDs in France. A standardised intervention based on human simulation will be codesigned with partner families and implemented at three levels: the relatives, the healthcare professionals (HCP) and the EDs. The intervention will be compared with a control based on treatment as usual. A total of 538 families are planned to be included: 269 in the intervention group and 269 in the control group. The primary endpoint will be the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 90 days. The secondary endpoints will be symptoms of PTSD at 7 and 30 days, diagnosis of PTSD at 90 days and anxiety and depression scores at 7, 30 and 90 days. Satisfaction regarding the training, the assertiveness in communication and real-life stress of HCPs will be measured at 90 days.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the ethics committee Est III from Nancy and the French national data protection authority. All relatives and HCPs will be informed regarding the study objectives and data confidentiality. Written informed consent will be obtained from participants, as required by French law for this study type. The results from this study will be disseminated at conferences and in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number NCT06071078.

Background During the hospital-to-home transition, stroke survivors and their caregivers face a significant lack of support and information which impacts their psychosocial recovery. We aimed to co-design a program combining individual support by a trained case-manager (dedicated professional providing individual support) and an online information platform to address needs of stroke survivors and caregivers. Methods A two-step methodology was used. The first step followed a “user-centered design” approach during four workshops with stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to develop the platform and define the case-manager profile. The second step was a usability test of the platform following a Think Aloud method with patients and caregivers. The workshops and interviews were analyzed following a qualitative thematic analysis. The analysis of Think Aloud interviews was based on User Experience Honeycomb framework by Morville. Results Eight participants attended the workshops: two patients, two caregivers, three nurses, and a general practitioner. Activities, training, and skills of the case-manager were defined according to stroke survivors and caregivers needs. Name, graphics, navigation, and content of the platform were developed with the participants, a developer and a graphic designer. The usability of the platform was tested with 5 patients and 5 caregivers. The Think Aloud confirmed satisfaction with graphics and content but a need for improvement regarding the navigability. An update of the platform was conducted in order to answer the needs expressed by participants. Conclusion We developed, with a participatory approach, a patient-centered transition program, which will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.

Background After discharge home, stroke survivors and their informal caregivers face a significant lack of support and information which accentuates their psychosocial burden. Online resources might provide this support and address psychosocial needs, but existing online stroke programmes mainly target functional rehabilitation. We aimed to map the existing literature on online resources that have been evaluated in stroke rehabilitation and aimed at reducing psychosocial impact in stroke survivors and informal caregivers. Methods MEDLINE was searched (2010–2024) to identify studies investigating online resources targeting psychosocial health. Studies were selected and extracted independently by two reviewers. We described the content, use, and psychosocial impact of these interventions using a narrative approach. Results Eleven studies were included in the review, reporting 10 online resources (two studies relating to the same resource). Online resources were heterogeneous: eight information/resources websites, one mobile app, and one forum. Five online resources were dedicated to stroke survivors, four to stroke survivors and their informal caregivers, and one to informal caregivers. Two randomized controlled trials reported a significant decrease in depressive symptoms associated with the use of online resources. Stroke survivors and informal caregivers find online resources useful and acceptable to address their psychosocial needs. Conclusions Few online stroke resources have been designed and evaluated to support post-stroke psychosocial rehabilitation. Further larger-scale research needs to study the impact of these interventions on psychosocial recovery over time.

Abstract Objectives This study aims to describe the use of patient partnership, as defined by the Montreal Model, in emergency departments (EDs) in France and report the perception of patient partnership from both the practitioner and patient perspectives. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and October 2020. First, a survey was sent to 146 heads of EDs in both teaching hospitals and non-teaching hospitals in France to assess the current practices in terms of patient partnership in service organization, research, and teaching. The perceived barriers and facilitators of the implementation of such an approach were also recorded. Then, semi-structured telephone interviews were carried out with patients involved in a service re-organization project. Results A total of 48 answers (response rate 32.9%) to the survey were received; 33.3% of respondents involved patients in projects relating to service re-organization, 20.8% involved patients in teaching projects, and 4.2% in research projects. Overall, 60.4% of the respondents were willing to involve patients in re-organization or teaching projects. The main barriers mentioned for establishing patient partnership were difficulties regarding patient recruitment and lack of time. The main advantages mentioned were the improvement in patient/caregiver relationship and new ideas to improve healthcare. When interviewed, patients mentioned the desire to improve healthcare and the necessity to involve people with different profiles and backgrounds. A too important personal commitment was the most frequently raised barrier to their engagement. All the patients recognized their positive role, and more generally, the positive role of patient engagement in service re-organization. Conclusion Although this preliminary study indicates a rather positive perception of patient partnership among heads of EDs in France and partner patients, this approach is still not widely applied in practice.

Abstract Background Stroke affects many aspects of life in stroke survivors and their family, and returning home after hospital discharge is a key step for the patient and his or her relatives. Patients and caregivers report a significant need for advice and information during this transition period. Our hypothesis is that, through a comprehensive, individualised and flexible support for patients and their caregivers, a patient-centred post-stroke hospital/home transition programme, combining an Internet information platform and telephone follow-up by a case manager, could improve patients’ level of participation and quality of life. Methods An open parallel-group randomized trial will be conducted in two centres in France. We will recruit 170 adult patients who have had a first confirmed stroke, and were directly discharged home from the stroke unit with a modified Rankin score ≤3. Intervention content will be defined using a user-centred approach involving patients, caregivers, health-care professionals and social workers. Patients randomized to the intervention group will receive telephonic support by a trained case manager and access to an interactive Internet information platform during the 12 months following their return home. Patients randomized to the control group will receive usual care. The primary outcome is patient participation, measured by the “participation” dimension score of the Stroke Impact Scale 6 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes will include, for patients, quality of life, activation, care consumption, as well as physical, mental and social outcomes; and for caregivers, quality of life and burden. Patients will be contacted within one week after discharge, at 6 and 12 months for the outcomes collection. A process evaluation alongside the study is planned. Discussion Our patient-centred programme will empower patients and their carers, through individualised and progressive follow-up, to find their way around the range of available healthcare and social services, to better understand them and to use them more effectively. The action of a centralised case manager by telephone and the online platform will make it possible to disseminate this intervention to a large number of patients, over a wide area and even in cases of geographical isolation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials NCT03956160 , Posted: May-2019 and Update: September-2021.

Background: Adherence to post‐stroke secondary prevention medications mitigates recurrence risk. This study aimed to measure adherence to secondary prevention medications during 3 years post‐ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, using prescription and dispensing data, and identify factors associated with suboptimal adherence. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, cohort study involved patients from the STROKE 69 cohort, which included all consecutive patients with suspected acute stroke admitted between November 2015 and December 2016 to any emergency department or stroke center in the Rhône area in France. Prescription data for antihypertensive agents, antidiabetic agents, lipid‐lowering drugs, and antithrombotics were collected. Dispensing data were provided by the French regional reimbursement database. Adherence was calculated using the continuous medication acquisition index. Associations between suboptimal adherence and potential influencing factors across the World Health Organization's five dimensions were explored through univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: From 1512 eligible patients, 365 were included. Optimal adherence to overall treatment (≥90%) was observed in 61%, 62%, and 65% of patients in the first, second, and third years, respectively. Education level (high school diploma or higher: OR = 3.24, 95% CI [1.49; 7.36]) and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Depression scores 8–10: OR = 1.90, 95% CI [1.05; 3.44]) were significantly associated with suboptimal adherence. Conclusions: Overall adherence to secondary prevention medications was fairly good. Having an initial diagnosis of transient ischemic attack, a high level of education, or depression was associated with increased odds of suboptimal adherence, while having a history of heart rhythm disorder was associated with lower odds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assess the changes in post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout, anxiety, depression, jobstrain, and isostrain levels over time among healthcare workers in emergency departments (EDs) after successive outbreaks of COVID‐19. A prospective, multicenter study was conducted in 3 EDs and an emergency medical service. Healthcare workers who participated in our previous study were invited to participate in a follow‐up 16 and 18 months and completed the questionnaires to assess symptoms of PTSD, burnout, anxiety, depression, jobstrain, and isostrain. Among the 485 healthcare workers asked to participate, 211 (43.5%) completed the survey at inclusion (122 were followed up at 3 months) and 59 participate to the follow‐up study. At 16 months, 10.9% of healthcare workers had symptoms of PTSD and 17.4% at 18 months. At inclusion, 33.5% and 11.7% of healthcare workers had symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. A decrease in anxiety between inclusion and 16 months (p = 0.02) and an increase between 16 and 18 months (p = 0.009) was observed. At inclusion, 40.8% of all healthcare workers had symptoms of burnout. There was an increase in symptoms of burnout between inclusion and 18 months (p = 0.006). At inclusion, 43.2% and 29.5% of healthcare workers were exposed to jobstrain and isostrain, respectively. Jobstrain were higher among paramedics and administrative staff compared to physicians (p = 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). Successive outbreaks of COVID‐19 led to long‐term mental health consequences among ED healthcare workers that differed according to occupation. This must be taken into account to rethink the management of teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: The present study is aimed at providing an assessment of the changes in burnout, job strain, isostrain, sleepiness, and fatigue levels over time and identifying factors associated with these symptoms among healthcare workers in French emergency departments (EDs). Method: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study in four EDs and an emergency medical service. Participants completed questionnaires at inclusion and at 90 days to assess burnout, job strain, isostrain, sleepiness, and fatigue. Results: A total of 211 respondents (43.5%) completed the questionnaires at inclusion. At the beginning of the study, 84 (40.8%) participants presented symptoms of burnout, 86 (43.2%) had symptoms of job strain, and 58 (29.4%) of isostrain. Forty‐two (20.1%) healthcare workers presented symptoms of sleepiness, and 8 (3.8%) had symptoms of fatigue. We found that symptoms of burnout were more frequent for healthcare workers with a previous psychiatric history (55.3% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.02) and were lower among participants who had at least one dependent child (33.1% vs. 48.3%, p = 0.013). Symptoms of job strain were higher among administrative staff compared to physicians (55.6% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.01) and among healthcare workers with managerial responsibilities compared to those without (45.6% vs. 28.8%, p = 0.015). Symptoms of isostrain were higher among administrative staff (42.3%) compared to paramedics (34.1%) and physicians (19.8%, p = 0.026). Conclusion: We identified that potential factors associated with the emergence of symptoms of burnout and job strain are suggested, underlining several areas of improvement for the prevention against mental health disorders in the specific population of ED healthcare workers. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04383886. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To assess the usefulness of a theoretical postural instability discrimination index (PIth) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Prospective regression analyzes were performed to identify the biomechanical determinants of postural instability unrelated to lower limb motor deficits from gait initiation factors. PIth was constructed using a logit function of biomechanical determinants. Discriminatory performance and performance differences were tested. Backward displacement of the pression center (APAamplitude) and active vertical braking of the mass center (Braking-index) were the biomechanical determinants of postural instability. PIth = − 0.13 × APAamplitude − 0.12 × Braking-index + 5.67, (P

Abstract Background Optimizing access to recanalization therapies in acute ischemic stroke patients is crucial. Our aim was to measure the short and long term effectiveness, at the acute phase and 1 year after stroke, of four sets of actions implemented in the Rhône County. Methods The four multilevel actions were 1) increase in stroke units bed capacity and development of endovascular therapy; 2) improvement in knowledge and skills of healthcare providers involved in acute stroke management using a bottom-up approach; 3) development and implementation of new organizations (transportation routes, pre-notification, coordination by the emergency call center physician dispatcher); and 4) launch of regional public awareness campaigns in addition to national campaigns. A before-and-after study was conducted with two identical population-based cohort studies in 2006–7 and 2015–16 in all adult ischemic stroke patients admitted to any emergency department or stroke unit of the Rhône County. The primary outcome criterion was in-hospital management times, and the main secondary outcome criteria were access to reperfusion therapy (either intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular treatment) and pre-hospital management times in the short term, and 12-month prognosis measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in the long term. Results Between 2015–16 and 2006–7 periods ischemic stroke patients increased from 696 to 717, access to reperfusion therapy increased from 9 to 23% (p

Abstract Background Public awareness of stroke symptoms is a key factor to ensure access to reperfusion strategies in due time. We designed and launched a regional theory-informed and user-centered information campaign and assessed its impact on emergency medical services (EMS) calls for stroke suspicion, time-to-call, and public attitudes and awareness concerning stroke. Methods A controlled before-and-after study was conducted during 3 sequential time-periods in 2 separate counties. Key messages of the campaign were underpinned by stroke representations and the theory of planned behavior, and focused on recognition of stroke warning signs and the need to call EMS urgently. The campaign included posters, leaflets, adverts and films displayed in bus and subway stations, internet, social networks, and local radio. Outcome measures on behavior, attitudes, and knowledge were assessed before the launch of the campaign, at 3 months, and 12 months. Results The number of EMS calls for stroke suspicion increased by 21% at 12 months in the intervention county and this change was significantly different to that observed in the control county (p = 0.02). No significant changes were observed regarding self-reported attitudes in case of stroke. An 8% significant increase in recognizing at least 2 stroke warning signs was observed in the intervention county (p = 0.04) at 3 months, while it did not change significantly in the control county (p = 0.6). However, there was no significant difference in warning sign recognition between both counties (p = 0.16). Conclusion The campaign significantly improved public’s behavior of calling EMS, although stroke knowledge was not improved as much as expected. Repeating these campaigns over time might further help improve timeliness and access to reperfusion strategies. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02846363 .

Marie Viprey,1,2 Maïlys Gouillet,3 Costanza Puppo,3 Anne Termoz,1,2 Claire Della Vecchia,2,3 Laurent Derex,2,4 Julie Haesebaert,1,2 Anne-Marie Schott,1,2 Marie Préau3 1Public Health Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; 2HESPER EA 7425, University of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; 3GRePS, Lyon 2 University, Lyon, France; 4Comprehensive Stroke Center, Pierre Wertheimer Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, FranceCorrespondence: Marie VipreyHospices Civils de Lyon, Pôle de Santé Publique, Bâtiment A, 6ème étage, 162, Avenue Lacassagne, Lyon 69003, FranceTel +33 4 72 11 53 02Email marie.viprey@chu-lyon.frPurpose: Secondary prevention medications (SPM) reduce the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) recurrence. However, approximately one-third of patients are estimated to be non-adherent. This qualitative study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to adherence to SPM after IS or TIA.Patients and Methods: Thirty-six face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 TIA patients and 22 IS patients who self-administered their treatment 12 months after IS/TIA. A thematic analysis was performed.Results: Major facilitators to good adherence to SPM were the fear of stroke recurrence and the high level of trust in the prescribing physician. Barriers included a perceived lack and/or inappropriate timing of information about SPM, practical difficulties of taking some SPM (eg, inadequate packaging) and of implementing routines into their daily life.Conclusion: Information on SPM is inadequate in terms of quantity and timing both during the acute IS/TIA period and over the long term. Providing more tailor-made information at an opportune moment, in particular by promoting discussion with their general practitioner (GP) throughout the course of illness and recovery, is essential to ensure that patients are not left alone in the decision-making process regarding adherence to SPM.Keywords: medication adherence, stroke, transient ischemic attack, qualitative study

Background: The functional reorganization of brain networks sustaining gait is poorly characterized in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) despite ample evidence of progressive disconnection between brain regions. The main objective of this fMRI study is to assess gait imagery-specific networks in ALS patients using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) complemented by parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) framework. Method: Seventeen lower motor neuron predominant (LMNp) ALS patients, fourteen upper motor neuron predominant (UMNp) ALS patients and fourteen healthy controls participated in this study. Each subject performed a dual motor imagery task: normal and precision gait. The Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-rs) and imagery time (IT) were used to evaluate gait imagery in each participant. In a neurobiological computational model, the circuits involved in imagined gait and postural control were investigated by modelling the relationship between normal/precision gait and connection strengths. Results: Behavioral results showed significant increase in IT in UMNp patients compared to healthy controls (Pcorrected

We aimed to explore stroke rehabilitation professionals' understanding and representations of peer support; the benefits they anticipated for patients; and the levers and barriers they perceived to implement the intervention in their practice. This qualitative study comprised four focus groups with 21 rehabilitation professionals and four semi-structured interviews. It was held in a French hospital. Interpretation was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Although professionals had poor knowledge on peer support, they identified many unmet needs of stroke survivors that peer support could meet such as social, emotional and informational support. Main barriers were the lack of human and financial resources, and of linkage between hospital and community professionals, and the fear that peer support would give false hope to survivors if not delivered properly. They showed ambivalence towards patient engagement, acknowledging its importance, but demonstrating top-down attitudes. They also identified potential avenues for the implementation of peer support for stroke survivors. Our study supports the necessity to involve professionals in the construction of peer-support interventions and to sensitise them to provide patient-centred care. It delivers insights on effective implementation strategies to develop peer support interventions for stroke survivors reintegrating the community. Stroke survivors experience many difficulties especially when transitioning from hospital to home, in which peer-support could be helpful. Success of peer-support interventions rely on the collaboration of healthcare professionals with peer supporters. Individual peer-support might be useful for stroke survivors in the following key dimensions: healthcare pathway orientation, social/administrative procedures, emotional support, informational support, informal caregivers support. Rehabilitation departments planning to implement individual peer-support, should consider supporting and training both the team and the peer-supporters to work together and adopt partnership postures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND:As acute stroke services improve, more persons experience mild stroke and need to cope daily with hidden disabilities, which may be influenced by how they perceive stroke, cognitively and emotionally. OBJECTIVE:To investigate cognitive illness beliefs and emotional responses in persons with mild stroke and their possible influences on daily coping. METHODS:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 persons with mild stroke, on average 7.5 months (±0.89) after stroke occurrence. A thematic analysis on verbatim transcripts was guided by the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. RESULTS:All participants experienced difficulties constructing an illness identity at both acute and chronic phase. Behavioral risk factors were less accepted as causes of stroke. Lack (or inappropriate timing) of information from healthcare providers led to limited medication knowledge and low perceived control of stroke recurrence which generated anxiety, fear, and low involvement in coping. Participants who considered stroke a chronic condition experienced more difficulties. Perceived support from relatives and healthcare providers was beneficial for participation in recovery and health behaviour change. CONCLUSION:Despite having mildly disabilities, participants reported difficulties developing illness beliefs conducive to coping, and dealing with their emotional responses. These elements should be considered in tailored programs to improve coping with hidden disabilities post-stroke.

Study objectiveTo investigate the performance of a rapid RT-PCR assay to detect influenza A/B at emergency department admission.MethodsThis single-center prospective study recruited adult patients attending the emergency department for influenza-like illness. Triage nurses performed nasopharyngeal swab samples and ran rapid RT-PCR assays using a dedicated device (cobas Liat, Roche Diagnostics, Meylan, France) located at triage. The same swab sample was also analyzed in the department of virology using conventional RT-PCR techniques. Patients were included 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of the rapid RT-PCR assay performed at triage.ResultsA total of 187 patients were included over 11 days in January 2018. Median age was 70 years (interquartile range 44 to 84) and 95 (51%) were male. Nine (5%) assays had to be repeated due to failure of the first assay. The sensitivity of the rapid RT-PCR assay performed at triage was 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-1.00) and the specificity was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.94-1.00). A total of 92 (49%) assays were performed at night-time or during the weekend. The median time from patient entry to rapid RT-PCR assay results was 46 [interquartile range 36-55] minutes.ConclusionRapid RT-PCR assay performed by nurses at triage to detect influenza A/B is feasible and highly accurate.

Background: Emergency Departments (ED) have seen an increasing number of older patients who are mostly referred following a call to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Long waiting times in settings, which are not designed to meet older patients' needs, may increase the risk of hospital‐acquired complications. Unnecessary visits should therefore be avoided as much as possible. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether a program to provide geriatric knowledge and tools to the dispatching physicians of the EMS could decrease ED referrals of older patients. Methods: Design: Before‐and‐after study with two 6‐month periods before and after intervention. Participants: All calls received by a dispatching physician of the Rhône EMS from 8 am to 6 pm concerning patients aged 75 years or above during the study period. Intervention: A program consisting of training dispatching physicians in the specific care of older patients and the developing, with a multidisciplinary team, of specific tools for dispatching physicians. Outcome: Proportion of ED referrals of patients aged 75 years or above after a call to the EMS. Results: A total of 2671 calls to the Rhône EMS were included corresponding to 1307 and 1364 patients in the pre‐and post‐intervention phases, respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of referrals to the ED between the pre‐intervention (61.7%) and the post‐intervention (62.8%) phases (p = 0.57). Contact of the patients with their General Practitioner (GP) in the month preceding the call was associated with a 22% reduced probability of being referred to an ED. Conclusions: No beneficial effect of the intervention was demonstrated. This strategy of intervention is probably not effective enough in such time‐constraint environment. Other strategies with a specific parallel dispatching of geriatric calls by geriatricians should be tested to avoid these unnecessary ED referrals. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials NCT02712450. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]