Module Authors
Module Lead
Dr. Eleni Pateraki, Principal Clinical Psychologist, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Module Group
Alison Cassells, Stroke Specialist Nurse, NHS Fife
Caroline McGhee, Stroke Education Facilitator, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland & NHS Fife
Katrina McCormick, Clinical eLearning Project Manager, RGN, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Shirley Ward, Senior Charge Nurse, Stroke Rehabilitation, NHS Fife
Serena Battistoni, eLearning Interactive Content Developer, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Reviewers
Katherine Wilson, Specialist Physiotherapist, Stroke Rehabilitation, NHS Lothian
Thomas Jones, Stoke Education Facilitator, NHS Lothian
Details of all contributors to the original development of the STARs Core Competency resources can be found here: Owners, funders and contributors.
NB: This module has undergone a full content review and update March 2021
Knowledge
Staff should be aware of, and be able to recognise, the common effects that a stroke may have on an individual.
Skills
To understand the implications these common effects have for their own interaction with that individual.
Benefits to the individual
Individuals will receive input from all members of staff which maintains their safety, dignity and well-being.
The following Core Competencies (6 – 18) refer to some of the specific effects which some people may experience following a stroke. Gaining a better understanding of these will help staff to recognise when a person has had a stoke and to ensure that the person receives the appropriate care.
Common effects of stroke include:
- Altered levels of consciousness (see Core Competency 6)
- Muscle weakness (see Core Competency 7)
- Loss of feeling/sensation (see Core Competency 10)
- Changes in vision (see Core Competency 11)
- Altered speech (see Core Competency 12)
- Impaired swallowing (see Core Competency 13)
- Altered skin integrity (see Core Competency 14)
- Issues with bladder and bowels (see Core Competency 15)
- Altered thinking processes and changes in behaviour (see Core Competency 16)
- Feeling emotional (see Core Competency 17)
And these may result in:
- Difficulties with moving and handling and altered safety awareness (see Core Competency 8)
- Difficulties in carrying out activities of daily living (see Core Competency 9)
As you work your way through these Core Competencies it is important to remember that most people will be affected by a combination of more than one of these effects following a stroke.
To proceed go to ‘View all Competencies‘
Page last reviewed: 17 Jul 2023
