Screening and follow-up care for cognitive and emotional problems after transient ischaemic attack and ischaemic stroke: a national, cross-sectional, online survey among neurologists in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: After stroke, many patients experience cognitive and/or emotional problems. While national guidelines recommend screening for these problems, actual screening rates might be limited.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the clinical practice at neurology departments regarding screening, information provision and follow-up care for cognitive and emotional problems after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and ischaemic stroke.

METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted between October 2018 and October 2019 among neurologists in all hospitals in the Netherlands.

RESULTS: Neurologists in 78 hospitals were invited to join the survey, and 52 (67%) of them completed it. Thirty-one (59%) neurologists reported that screening for cognitive problems after TIA and ischaemic stroke was mostly or always performed. When cognitive screening was performed, 42 (84%) used validated screening instruments. Twenty-nine (56%) of the respondents reported that screening for emotional problems was mostly or always performed. When emotional screening was performed, 31 (63%) reported using validated screening instruments. Timing of screening and information provision was highly variable, and the majority reported that there was no protocol for follow-up care when cognitive or emotional problems were found.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that clinical practice at neurology departments is highly variable regarding screening, information provision and follow-up care for cognitive and emotional problems in patients after TIA or ischaemic stroke. Approximately half of the participating neurologists reported that screening was performed only sometimes or never for cognitive and emotional problems after TIA and ischaemic stroke.