Applying knowledge translation theory to transfer stroke prevention and treatment knowledge to rural health professionals

Stroke is a significant health problem in rural Canada. It is the 4th most frequent cause of death and the most frequent cause of adult disability. The likelihood of stroke increases with age and, as rural areas are demographically older than urban Canada, the proportion of individuals with stroke is higher outside the urban areas where most stroke specialists practice. In these settings family physicians are the primary care provider for patients post stroke. Significant gaps in rural family practitioners¿ implementation of evidence on secondary prevention for stroke have been identified. One reason may be that urban-rural differences in human and financial resources make it difficult to implement best practices which have been developed for urban setting with access to clinical specialties and university affiliated teaching hospitals. This gap needs to be addressed so stroke survivors receive optimum care in both rural and urban settings. The purpose of the proposed knowledge to action grant is to apply knowledge translation strategies to improve the knowledge and application of evidence on secondary stroke prevention by rural family practitioners.