Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: Stroke survivors often experience physical and cognitive disabilities, which may have an impact on their healthcare utilization. We determined the healthcare utilization of stroke survivors in the Vancouver area, and its relationship between physical, cognitive and social function. Methods: This was a prospective 6-month longitudinal study. Thirty-five community-dwelling individuals living with a stroke for at least three months participated in this study. Participants recorded their healthcare utilization on calendars over a six-month period, and three telephone reminders were provided. The number of visits to health professionals was used to determine healthcare utilization. At the end of six months, the following were assessed: Stroke Impact Scale (physical, cognitive and social function domains), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Pearson correlations were used to test research hypotheses. Results: Stroke survivors visited the family physician most, followed by the physiotherapist, cardiologist and eye specialist. Generally, more visits to the family physician, cardiologist and eye specialist were related to greater physical functioning, better hand functioning, more depressive symptoms, less social participation and poorer cognition. More visits to the physiotherapist was related to better cognition, less physical functioning and poorer hand functioning. Conclusions: Stroke survivors visited relevant health care professionals in accordance with their disability and restriction.