Title : Empowering Nurses to Recognize Post Stroke Depression in the African American Community
Abstract:
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America (1). Of those strokes, African Americans have the highest prevalence of stroke and death when compared to any other racial group in the United States. African American stroke survivors, in comparison to all other racial groups, have higher rates of disability and difficulty with activities of daily living because of stroke (1). One of the most common complications of stroke is Post-Stroke Depression (PSD). PSD affects approximately one-third of all stroke patients. PSD has been linked to “higher stroke morbidity, mortality, and recurrence” and is underdiagnosed in the African American community (2,3).
How did we address the problem?
Studies show that post-stroke depression rates are high and common in this community. Early assessment, recognition, follow-up, and connection to the appropriate resources could potentially improve stroke recovery, morbidity, and mortality in this community (3). By empowering nursing with tools needed for early recognition, the ability to offer mHealth mobile apps, and a psychiatry provider list at discharge, post-stroke depression may be identified, leading to prompt intervention and a decrease in the sequela of post-stroke depression within the African American community.
Results
The project is in the implementation phase, but the outcomes will be measured with pre and post-test for the nurses following a presentation on cultural humility. The stroke nurse navigator will provide data that measures post-discharge PHQ2 at the 7 and/or 30-day follow-up, whether or not mHealth app or provider list was utilized.
