High-Risk Stroke Patients More Likely to Get Follow-Up Care After Motivational Talk

High-Risk Stroke Patients More Likely to Get Follow-Up Care After Motivational Talk
Thursday, August 4, 2011
By: Science Daily

Science Daily

A University of Michigan study shows that telephone intervention boosts low follow-up rates among high-risk patients in the nation's 'stroke belt.'

Even though many Americans learn through community health screenings that they are at high risk for having a stroke, they rarely follow-up with their doctor for care.

But a new University of Michigan study shows high-risk stroke patients are twice as likely to get follow-up care from a primary care doctor if they receive a pep talk over the telephone.

"It is unfortunate that these high-risk patients often have a lower rate of follow-up with their primary care physicians," says Rajesh Balkrishnan, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and School of Public Health at the U-M. "They should not ignore their results and seek medical help."