Competence of healthcare professionals in stroke care pathways: a cross-sectional study.

• Previous research into the competence of healthcare professionals in the stroke care pathway does not offer a complete picture of the relevant issues. • The overall level of competence of healthcare professionals in the stroke care pathway was good. Multiprofessional and collaboration competence were the strongest areas of competence. In contrast, competence to use evidence-based information was rated as the weakest area of competence. The competence profiles were found to be influenced by healthcare professionals' occupation, and their participation in their organization's expert network. • The results of the study can be used to inform competence development, competence management, and the design of continuing education. Nursing managers can use the results of this study to identify staff competencies and skills gaps. To describe healthcare professionals' self-assessed competence in stroke care pathways based on their self-evaluation and identify the factors associated with competence. A cross-sectional, descriptive explorative study design was used. The data were collected during May and September 2021 through a survey sent to healthcare professionals (N= 1200, n= 215) working in neurological care. Competence in stroke care pathways was measured using the RN-STROKE, PT-STROKE and OT-STROKE instruments defined by four-factor model. The instruments' validity and reliability were confirmed through exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. K-means clustering, one-way ANOVA, Chi Square, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis were used to analyze the data. The results were reported as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The results were reported according to STROBE guidelines. Four main areas of healthcare professionals' competence in stroke care pathways were identified: (1) counseling and interaction competence (2) competence to use evidence-based information, (3) self-management and development competence, and (4) multiprofessional and collaboration competence. The study then identified three competence profiles of healthcare professionals working in the stroke care pathway. Professionals in Profile A evaluated their competence at the highest level, those in Profile B at the average level, and those in Profile C at the lowest level. Healthcare professionals' occupation and participation in their organisation's expert network were found to be associated with competence profiles. The overall competence of healthcare professionals in the stroke care pathway was rated as good, but competence to use evidence-based information in clinical practice, in particular, should be improved. Organisations should, therefore, increase education and training in this area and provide adequate resources to enable the use of evidence-based information in clinical work. The study identifies three profiles relating to healthcare professionals' competence in the stroke care pathway, which can be used to create continuous education and ensure better patient care according to participants' profiles. The study was reported using the STROBE Statement checklist. No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]