Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Introduction: Patient engagement (PE) is a crucial aspect of health management shown to improve adherence and outcomes. For patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) PE holds significant value. Novel ways to engage IS/TIA patients and deliver personalized education may enhance knowledge, satisfaction, and adherence while potentially reducing recurrent stroke.
Purpose: Develop and implement a stroke-specific 90-day digital health PE platform for IS/TIA patients discharged (DC) home from a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). Utilizing the Twistle^TM digital platform the initiative focuses on patient education and adherence.
Methods: An expert panel (digital health operations, vascular neurologist, stroke-certified nurse practitioner) designed a 90-day program with 21 modules emphasizing education, adherence, communication, and 90-day mRS self-assessment. A pre-implementation survey assessed confidence to prevent stroke and knowledge of personalized risk factors, lifestyle modification, and medication in 14 IS/TIA patients (Mdn 21 days from DC), with 11 responses (73.3%). After pilot testing with 2 patients and feedback incorporation, 10 more patients were enrolled. A patient engagement and satisfaction survey was administered on day 20.
Results: Assessment determined the program was feasible and compared pre-implementation and 20-day survey responses from participants (response rate 6/9). Post-implementation outcomes showed improved patient knowledge and confidence. Patients agreeing/strongly agreeing to having lifestyle modification knowledge increased from 64.6% (n=11) to 83.4% (n=6). Confidence in preventing another stroke/TIA rose from 27.3% (n=11) to 66.7% (n=6). Participants reported heightened engagement through digital messages (83.3%, 5/6), while one respondent (16.7%) remained neutral.
Conclusions: Initial findings underscore the potential of digital health, delivered through platforms like Twistle^TM, to enhance patient engagement and confidence post-IS/TIA. The program's successful launch suggests promise for expansion at the CSC and potentially across additional health system hospitals. The initiative holds potential for enhancing patient outcomes and well-being.