The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (2020) advises that all “members of the healthcare team engaged with people with stroke and their families are responsible for partnerships and collaborations to ensure successful transitions and return to the community following stroke.” Within the southeast, we have been working to integrate and sustain effective navigation supports forall healthcare providers involved in post-stroke navigation. Following up on earlier work, the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario hosted a virtual workshop in April which welcomed 58 participants from across the continuum and across the region share expertise and network for change. Speakers shared their navigation experiences, tips and tools which they have found to be of value when supporting the recovery journey for the stroke survivor and family. “As a navigator, being able to intervene in a timely manner has helped people settle in more safely and confidently into their discharge destination.” - Respondent to provincial navigation surveyThe afternoon event culminated in a brainstorming session focused on what was going well, current key resources for providers, patients and families as well as the identification of navigation gaps and potential resources to remedy those gaps. “Need to know where you go to get help. There are too many things and nobody knows where to go. It’s critical that there is someone who knows what is available and what can be done.” – Caregiver The virtual event was a success, with participants commenting that it was a “resourceful and informative workshop” with “great topics, information and speakers”. The afternoon reminded all present that information sharing is key to successful navigation, and that “what often is second nature to us (healthcare providers), is not for stroke survivors and their families - review as if new!” Work will now be focused on the creation of a Navigation Toolkit that will provide a framework for healthcare providers across the continuum who are supporting clients and families as they navigate our complex health and social support systems. The SNSEO will be reaching out to our partners for their expertise as this work moves forward. Videos and all other resources from this workshop have been posted to our website.
Fewer strokes. Better outcomes.