Perspectives of healthcare professionals on the purpose, design and content of a health communication passport for stroke

Introduction: The Irish National Stroke Strategy (2022-2027) (Health Service Executive (HSE), 2022) has recommended the introduction of a Stroke Passport. The Stroke Passport aims to streamline the transition from acute care to community care for stroke patients and their family/caregivers. However, the perspectives of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), on the purpose, design, format, and content of a Stroke Passport are not yet known. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with HCPs who worked in an acute stroke ward, an Early Supported Discharge (ESD) team, or both. Interview data were analysed using Braun & Clark’s (2022) six-step Thematic Analysis framework. Results: Twenty-two HCPs took part in one of the four focus groups (acute stroke ward n = 19, ESD n = 3). Four themes and 12 subthemes were generated from the data namely (1) Information provision: Patient Factors, (2) Information provision: External Factors, (3) Benefits and usability of a Stroke Passport and (4) Logistics of Implementation. Conclusion: The provision of a resource such as a Stroke Passport was considered an asset to patient care. However, greater attention to addressing current gaps in the Irish healthcare system, particularly digital infrastructure, during the transition from hospital to home is required. These findings have international relevance, particularly for nations facing similar barriers to healthcare digitalisation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Stroke rehabilitation is often challenged by impairments in mobility, communication, and cognition, requiring accessible and timely information to support recovery. A Stroke Passport could enhance the rehabilitation experience by centralising personalised information, aiding goal setting, informing secondary prevention and easing the transition from hospital to home. Successful implementation depends on co-design with stakeholders, strong digital infrastructure, and clear assignment of responsibility for updating the resource post-discharge.