Ischemic Stroke
Course Overview
During the past decades, advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cerebrovascular disorders have led to decreases in the prevalence of stroke (primarily ischemic stroke), but the high rates of morbidity and mortality, despite a number of modifiable risk factors, point to the need for enhanced education for both patients and physicians. Enhancing healthcare professionals' knowledge about evidence-based guidelines, as well as about advances in diagnostic tools, is crucial for improving the outcomes for individuals who are at risk for stroke or in whom a stroke has occurred. A better understanding is needed about the options for patients at risk for stroke, as well as for treatment and rehabilitation. This course explores the roles of diagnosis and screening, evaluation of individuals with suspected stroke, immediate treatment of stroke, and the elements of effective rehabilitation programs. Heightened awareness of variations in the prevalence of stroke according to age, sex, and racial/ethnic groups will help clinicians and healthcare educators target individuals in need of enhanced education about the risks of stroke, especially those that are modifiable.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the primary types of cerebrovascular disorders and their causes.
- Discuss differences in prevalence, morbidity, and mortality according to age, sex, and race/ethnicity.
- Identify the nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors for ischemic stroke.
- Implement primary prevention strategies according to evidence-based guidelines.
- Discuss the need for education at the community and patient levels.
- Apply models of predicting risk of ischemic stroke.
- Select the appropriate tools for screening, diagnosis, and early management of ischemic stroke.
- Describe the elements of stroke systems of care and a comprehensive stroke center.
- Discuss evidence-based treatment options for ischemic stroke.
- Describe the benefits and components of a specialized stroke rehabilitation team.
- Outline the aspects of patient assessment for stroke rehabilitation.
- Discuss evidence-based recommendations for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.
About the Author/Presenter
John M. Leonard, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed his post-graduate clinical training at the Yale and Vanderbilt University Medical Centers before joining the Vanderbilt faculty in 1974. He is a clinician-educator and for many years served as director of residency training and student educational programs for the Vanderbilt University Department of Medicine. Over a career span of 40 years, Dr. Leonard conducted an active practice of general internal medicine and an inpatient consulting practice of infectious diseases.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
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