More than three quarters of people who took part in a survey on services for stroke victims feel their rehabilitation needs are not being met.

Evolution Healing Centre launched the survey earlier this year to better understand the provision of stroke rehabilitation services in Bermuda, with the aim of improving those services.

Kim Watkins, a senior physiotherapist at Evolution, said it will host an educational event on Friday — World Stroke Day — where she will present data from the survey and share information from a panel of healthcare professionals.

There were 56 participants in the survey which ran over an eight-week period and came to an end in September.

Out of them, 79 per cent felt that their needs were not met locally and 21 per cent said they were.

Ms Watkins said the survey will help Evolution to formulate a number of recommendations for the rehabilitation of stroke patients in Bermuda.

“The main aim of the survey was to collect data regarding stroke survivors’ experiences of rehabilitation in Bermuda,” she said.

“We plan to use this data to help us inform what is happening through the stroke pathway and put forth any recommendations that would be useful for survivors and the community.”

Of the 56 participants, 95 per cent live in Bermuda, 52 per cent were male and 48 per cent were female.

Ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots, accounted for 39 per cent of stroke types, 14 per cent were haemorrhagic while 30 per cent of respondents did not know the type of stroke they had suffered.

Of the respondents, 26 per cent were seen by a physiotherapist, 20 per cent by a speech and language therapist, and 17 per cent by a physician.

The average time frame for rehabilitation was 11 months but time frames differed dramatically — one participant reported a five-year rehabilitation and others were rehabilitated for a month or less.

Ms Watkins added: “We had excellent responses about the participants’ experience and we are currently completing analysis of the data with thematic analysis with our research team. This data will be released shortly.”

The online survey was available to any stroke survivor who met the eligibility criteria. They included anyone who had had a stroke, received rehabilitation in Bermuda or were eligible for rehabilitation and did not receive services.

Speaking of the World Stroke Day event, Ms Watkins added: “We plan to complete an education event regarding stroke and present more of our data results.

“We invite you to visit us to celebrate your milestones, share your stories and connect with one another. We look forward to meeting you. We will also be releasing some educational videos and information regarding stroke. Stay tuned for more information.”

On hand at the event will be Ms Watkins and fellow senior physiotherapist Sandro Fubler at the Evolution Healing Centre, along with Jill Davidson, occupational therapist, Kimberly McIvor, senior speech and language pathologist, and a senior dietitian from Island Nutrition.

The event on October 28 will be held at Queen Elizabeth Park from the Queen Street entrance and will run from 3pm to 5pm.

Anyone wishing to talk about the survey or the education event can reach out to Evolution Healing Centre on 734-2772 or via e-mail at admin@bpralliance.com.

For more information, see the World Stroke Organisation website www.world-stroke.org/world-stroke-day-campaign