PhD project participating in the National Research School in General Medicine.
Approximately 20 000 people per year suffer from a stroke in Sweden . It is the most common cause of disability and the third most common cause of death after ischemic heart disease and cancer.
Approximately 20 000 people per year suffer from a stroke in Sweden (1). It is the most common cause of disability and the third most common cause of death after ischemic heart disease and cancer (1). Stroke patients, are sensitive due to the cognitive difficulties that a stroke can cause. They are also dispensed secondary preventive medication to a lesser extent than patients with other Cardiovascular diseases (2).
In Sweden, primary care centers are responsible for secondary prevention and follow-up after a stroke. For long-term survival and to reduce recurrence and complications, it is crucial that patients take secondary preventive medication regularly (3). There is a known gap between available evidence and practice in healthcare (5). Studies in the USA and the Netherlands show that between 30-40% of patients do not receive evidence-based care, while 20% receive potentially harmful treatment (6). The reasons for practice variation can be numerous, including organizational factors such as leadership and staffing, physician education and attitudes, as well as patient-related factors. Most research has been conducted in secondary and tertiary care, with limited research in primary care (7-12).
