Stroke experts praise research

Published on Monday 4 August 2008 10:56

SCOTTISH stroke support workers have praised new research which shows video conferencing is more effective than telephones in treating patients who suspect they are having a stroke.

Treatment decisions in the first three hours after a stroke are vital in the patient's recovery process, and scientists have discovered that real-time face-to-face video conferencing resulted in the correct treatment decisions being made in 98 per cent of study cases.

Patients who suspected they were having stroke were only given the correct advice in 82 per cent of cases over the telephone.

Angela Macleod, of the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: "This research highlights what we have known for some time, that telemedicine can have a significant impact on stroke recovery.

"Facial weakness, difficulty in raising both arms and speech problems are all symptoms of stroke, so if you suspect a stroke you must act fast and call 999."