Skip to main content

Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) Knowledge in General Practice: a cross-sectional study of Western Adelaide general practitioners

Abstract

Background

With evidence to support early assessment and management of TIAs, the role of the general practitioner (GP) needs to be considered in developing a TIA service in Western Adelaide. We thus aimed to determine GP knowledge of TIA assessment and management and identify perceived barriers, in order to tailor subsequent GP education and engage primary care in the co-ordinated care of TIA patients.

Findings

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all GPs (nā€‰=ā€‰202) in the Adelaide Western General Practice Network. Response frequencies were calculated for all variables, and associations examined by univariate analysis.

32 GPs responded. All respondents correctly identified early risk of stroke following a TIA. Difficulty accessing neurological expertise was identified as a barrier (40.6ā€‰%), as was a lack of GP knowledge (18.8ā€‰%). Areas for improvement included access to neurologists (36.7ā€‰%), relevant guidelines and education (43.3ā€‰%).

Conclusions

Diagnosis of TIA is difficult and this study highlights the need for further education and practical guidelines for GPs. With this training, GPs could be better equipped to assess and manage TIAs effectively in the community in consultation with stroke physicians.

Findings

Background

The role of the general practitioner (GP) can be significant in the assessment and management of transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). TIA patients may regard their symptoms with less urgency and present to primary care, and the diagnosis can be a difficult one. Increasing evidence supports early urgent assessment and management of TIAs to prevent subsequent stroke. An estimated 20ā€‰% of strokes are preceded by a TIA, with the risk of stroke following a TIA being between 10-20ā€‰% in the next 90ā€‰days [1], and half of these patients suffer a stroke within the first 48 hours [2]. A recent study of a 24-hour TIA clinic reported that 74ā€‰% of patients were discharged home after prompt assessment and treatment, potentially lowering costs [3]. Early assessment and initiation of treatment of TIAs has also been associated with an 80ā€‰% reduction of early subsequent stroke in another study by Rothwell et al [4]. However, the approach to care varies both nationally and internationally, with some advocating for admission and others suggesting ambulatory care.

There are currently no formal pathways for TIA care in Adelaide and it is unclear how GPs manage patients who present with suspected TIA in Australia. GPs in the Australian health system have a number of options including managing the patient themselves, referring onto an emergency department at either a public or private hospital, referring to a public neurology outpatient clinic with variable waiting times, referring to a private neurologist or to a TIA clinic is one exists in the region.

There have been some studies that have assessed the knowledge of GPs on stroke and TIA management. Middleton et al. assessed GPsā€™ knowledge of TIA/stroke risk factors and stroke prevention and management in New South Wales in 2003 [5]. They concluded that GPs required more purposeful and effective education. Their study, however, concentrated mostly on stroke and risk factors, and preceded recent knowledge about early stroke risk and stratification of TIAs. Other studies overseas similarly preceded current knowledge of early treatment and focused on the GPs ability to diagnose TIA[6ā€“8]. The diagnosis of TIA is difficult, even amongst neurologists [9, 10] and this study instead aimed to determine the knowledge of TIA assessment and current management amongst GPs, given the release of the NSF guidelines highlighting the need for urgent care. We also sought to identify perceived barriers to the assessment and management of TIAs locally that may influence future planning of services.

Methods

Drawing on the postal questionnaire by Middleton et al, a questionnaire, comprising of 3 sections, was designed to evaluate the knowledge of GPs on the assessment and management of TIAs. Section one aimed to collect demographic data while the second section contained questions based on case scenarios. The case scenarios were written by the authors, two of whom are general practitioners and based on typical cases seen in general practice. The third section asked open questions enquiring about the perceived barriers to TIA assessment and current management in general practice. Participants were asked to comment on the barriers to assessment and management, and areas they considered required improvement.

All responses were read and general themes were extracted and coded into categories. With approval from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee granted, the questionnaire was piloted on a group of 18 GP educators and supervisors to ensure that the questions were appropriate and would maximise response rates. Previous papers [11, 12] have suggested methods to improve response rates, including a relevant topic, offering feedback, length of questionnaires, assurances of confidentiality, incentives, association with other stakeholders and personal contact. The pilot group addressed these and the initial questionnaire and cover letter were modified accordingly. Participants felt that a shorter questionnaire, ā€˜less exam likeā€™, with assurances of feedback and confidentiality, paper based (rather than electronic) with a letter from the chief investigator (a GP registrar) rather than a well known academic would assist in encouraging GPs to participate.

With the assistance of the Adelaide Western General Practice Network (AWGPN), questionnaires were mailed to all 202 GPs on their database. The AWGPN covers an area of 205.4 square kilometres with the population of Western Adelaide reported as 212, 741 in 2006 [13, 14]. The AWGPN funded the postage costs and stationery, and because of the Privacy Act 1988 were unable to disclose a list of GPs in the area. Subsequently the networkā€™s administrative staff performed the mail out to GPs in the area. The questionnaire was accompanied by a covering letter explaining the purpose of the study, that the study was supported of the AWGPN Chief Executive Officer, a participant information sheet and consent form. A self-addressed pre-paid envelope was provided for participants to return the completed form and questionnaire to the investigators. An advertisement was included in the AWGPN newsletter in the month that the questionnaires were posted, inviting GPs to participate.

A follow-up reminder facsimile was sent to all GPs by the AWGPN 3ā€‰weeks following the mail-out. A random selection of GP names was then generated using a random number generator, and the investigator visited practices to raise awareness about the questionnaire amongst practice administrative staff. Practice managers were asked to remind GPs of the study and further copies of the questionnaire were provided. No financial or other incentive was offered with any invitation to GPs to participate in this study.

Questionnaires returned were de-identified and responses entered into a database. All questionnaires were included in the study although some had missing responses. Responses to the case scenarios were coded in true, false, unsure or missing categories, as the scenarios were not designed to be purely correct or incorrect responses. The coding was determined before data was collected. Statistical analysis of the data was undertaken using SPSS version 15.0, with frequencies for questionnaire responses calculated for all variables.

Results

30 GPs responded to this questionnaire after the initial mailing and a further 2 responded after the follow up methods were employed. The response rate was 16ā€‰% from a total of 202 GPs invited to participate. A further two GPs returned questionnaires indicating they were not interested in participating (no reasons given) and three were addressed ā€œreturn to senderā€.

The demographic data collected is shown in Tableā€‰1.

Table 1 Demographics of respondents

Most (nā€‰=ā€‰27) respondents have over 10ā€‰years of experience in general practice work, with 2 having had more than 41ā€‰years of experience. Most respondents (nā€‰=ā€‰18) were working more than 9 clinical sessions per week.

Diagnosis of TIA

The first case scenario asked questions about the diagnosis of TIA. The responses are presented in Tableā€‰2. The responses consistent with the current evidence are highlighted in bold. The current evidence for our assessment is included in the column headed as ā€˜Evidenceā€™.

Table 2 Case scenario 1a

Stratification of TIA risk

The second part of the case evaluated knowledge about the risk of stroke following a TIA, wit h the results presented in Tableā€‰3.

Table 3 Case scenario 1b

TIA investigations

Another case scenario explored the possible investigations that could be arranged in primary care following a TIA. The results are presented in Tableā€‰4.

Table 4 Case scenario 3a

TIA management

The following case scenario explored the options of assessment and possible referral in a general practice setting. The results are presented in Tableā€‰5.

Table 5 Case scenario 2

The final questions related to the instigation of treatment for the secondary prevention of stroke, with the results presented in Tableā€‰6.

Table 6 Case scenario 3b

Perceived barriers to assessment and management from a primary care perspective

Open questions then sought to explore the perceived barriers to the assessment and management of TIAs in general practice. Responses were analysed and themes extracted.

Difficulty in accessing neurological expertise or acute stroke units (ASU) was identified as a barrier by 13 respondents, whilst accessing investigations for the assessment of TIAs was considered a barrier by 7. The lack of knowledge both by GPs (nā€‰=ā€‰6) and the public (nā€‰=ā€‰7) was also identified as a barrier to TIA assessment and management. The lack of time in general practice consultations was identified by 5 of the 32 GPs in the survey as a barrier to effectively manage potential TIA cases.

In response to questioning about the areas for improvements, participants addressed the barriers identified earlier. Improved access to neurologists and/or ASUs (nā€‰=ā€‰11) and better access to investigations (nā€‰=ā€‰2) were suggested. The establishment of relevant guidelines and specific education for GPs (nā€‰=ā€‰13) and public education (nā€‰=ā€‰6) were also considered as areas for improvement.

Participants were asked about their preferences for attending educational workshops. Participants indicated a conference venue as the most preferred venue (nā€‰=ā€‰22), followed by GP division offices (nā€‰=ā€‰17), own clinic (nā€‰=ā€‰6) and RACGP offices (nā€‰=ā€‰1) as the least preferred.

Discussions

The case scenarios suggested that respondents were less confident in selecting specific treatments in TIA, with 15/32 answering correctly about anti-hypertensive treatment and slightly more correct with respect to managing hyperlipidaemia (20/32). However all correctly identified the early risk of stroke following a TIA, and nearly all answered correctly on the appropriate blood tests to order in a TIA case. The diagnosis of TIA is recognised as difficult, and this study highlights that whilst knowledge on the assessment and risks of TIA is present, there is a need for further education and practical guidelines for GPs to improve knowledge with respect to specific management and pathways of care. The National Stroke Foundation Audit observed the decline in public hospital based TIA clinics in 2007 [33] and with the best model of TIA care yet to be established, the current system may be failing to address the needs of the community for efficient TIA assessment and management. Potentially low risk TIAs could be managed appropriately in general practice, and thus contribute to ease the burden on the public hospital system. With training, GPs could be better equipped to assess and manage low risk TIAs effectively in the community.

Given the current medical workforce climate, it was not surprising that difficulty in accessing neurological specialist opinion and hospital acute stroke units, in particular, were identified as a barrier. However, access to private radiological investigations, were not as notably identified. Miller et al report that GPs order a CT at a rate of 1 per 100 encounters and of these 2ā€‰% are for cerebral ischaemia [34]. The current Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) does not allow GPs to request MRI scans.

Whilst respondents identified the lack of public knowledge about TIA symptoms, they were also aware of their own knowledge deficits. The National Stroke Foundation developed the Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management in 2007 in line with NHMRC standards, and included recommendations for TIA management. However, 6 respondents considered that there was a lack of knowledge and relevant guidelines to assist their practice. Similarly 7 respondents answered that there was a lack of knowledge amongst their patients with respect to the symptoms of TIA, thus resulting in late presentations for medical care. State-based Stroke Associations and the NSF provide information for consumers on stroke and TIA. However, there is limited evidence on the current public knowledge of stroke/TIA and the effects that an educational intervention will have. There is however some evidence that information and education for patients who have suffered a stroke will improve patient and carer knowledge of stroke, aspects of patient satisfaction, and reduce patient depression scores [35].

The long-term treatment goals of secondary prevention constitute the daily work of GPs. However, with continued workforce shortages in primary care, GPs face time pressures in providing comprehensive care to the community. Multidisciplinary care plans have been introduced by government initiatives and this may provide incentives to appropriate management of TIA [36]. Whilst the work of GPs routinely includes educating patients, with limited consultation time, education of the public needs to be addressed at a broader level. With regular liaison between community care and tertiary level hospitals, GPs can and should be able to recognise TIA early, as well as contribute to assessment and management.

Limitations

The response rate from the questionnaire limits this study, as the small sample of GPs may not be representative and open to bias. Previous studies have acknowledged the difficulty in engaging GPs to participate in postal surveys and have suggested a number of techniques [37]. The questionnaire and cover letter were piloted first and amendments made to optimise the response rate. This study was undertaken by a GP Academic Registrar and no financial or other incentive was offered to invited participants which may have improved the response rate. The most common reason that medical practitioners decline involvement in surveys is time [38]. Methods to improve response rates to surveys have included an advance phone prompt from medical personnel or a small gift with the survey [39]. The Canadian National Physician Survey attempted to improve their response rates by implementing a number of strategies including a monetary incentive but were unsuccessful [40]. Others have suggested that there is no optimal response rate and whilst a high response rate is more likely to be representative of the sample, a low response rate may be valid if non-response effects are tested [41, 42]. The follow-up methods employed in this study included a personal visit to random practices, as a ā€˜personalā€™ approach has been considered as important [43]. However, the contact details of invited GPs were not accessible to the investigators under the Privacy Act and the use of personally addressed letters and specific follow up of non-responders was not performed. The support of the Division was considered to be important, with previous studies reporting that appropriate stakeholders involvement would assist in improving response rates and thus use of a commercial list of GPs was not used [44].

GPs in the AWGPN constitute 12ā€‰% of the South Australian GP workforce. The AWGPN registers all GPs working in the area as members by default, but 4/32 participants replied that they did not consider themselves members of this division. Most respondents reported that they worked in group practices (nā€‰=ā€‰15) whilst 9 (30ā€‰%) respondents indicated that they were solo practitioners, compared to 37ā€‰% nationally [15]. 31.4ā€‰% of GPs nationally are overseas trained but none of the respondents in this study were trained overseas. The majority were female (nā€‰=ā€‰16) whilst nationally 62ā€‰% of GPs are male and most were over 41ā€‰years age, which is comparable to national data. Those invited to participate in the study were registered as GPs working within the area of AWGPN as supplied by their database, however, with the current workforce status there has been a fluctuation of GPs in and out of practices with 4/32 respondents indicating that they did not currently work in the AWGPN. The demographic details of the participants were mostly consistent with available Australian data, with the exception of location of training. Those who reported to be members of a division and/or fellows of a professional college were more likely to participate. Surprisingly, despite the limited time GPs give to participate in surveys, the majority of participants unexpectedly worked more than 8 sessions per week. The implementation of guidelines successfully depends in part on their applicability to a local region [45] and thus this study aimed to determine the knowledge in the Western Division of General Practice in Adelaide. However, there is no data available on the characteristics of GPs in this area and comparison was thus limited to available Australian data.

The low response rate may suggest a disinterest in the topic, which is cause for concern as TIA assessment and management is in the domain of general practice and the risk of subsequent morbidity and mortality significant. Previous studies have shown that non-responders are more likely to be older, more experienced, solo practitioners, more stressed and less well qualified than responders[44] with the one of reasons for not participating other than time was that the topic was thought to not be relevant. If non-responders are less qualified, their knowledge in TIA assessment and management may also be less than that of the study participants.

Whilst there may have been value in having a control group to compare the results to, for example neurologists, we would expect different answers as the approach to an acute neurological episode in general practice has its own challenges and barriers, which is what the study aimed to evaluate.

The questionnaire itself has its limitations. Whilst the use of a pre- and post- test questionnaire may have provided additional information on the retention of knowledge, this questionnaire was not designed to necessarily contain ā€œrightā€ and ā€œwrong answersā€. In order to maximise the response rate, and the authors wished to avoid an exam style approach to ā€œtestingā€ GPs. Similarly with a pre and post questionnaire GPs with good knowledge and interest may be more likely to participate and so presenting a biased sample. The authors consider instead that designing an educational intervention based on the questionnaire results, and then testing GPs after the education session may be more useful. Again though the questionnaire would have its limitations as it only suggests what GPs might do in an ideal clinical setting, which may be quite different to what occurs in real practice.

Since the study was conducted further research has been published on the assessment and management of TIA, which may have an impact on whether the responses are viewed as correct or incorrect. In particular the definition of TIA is now tissue based [18], and it may be worthwhile surveying GPs again to determine their awareness of this new definition and the subsequent changes to their clinical practice.

Within these limitations, this study nonetheless is suggestive of a need to improve knowledge amongst GPs, in particular the management pathways for TIA. A number of barriers to TIA care, including difficulties in accessing services, were also identified. Together with the low response rate, it seems that specific education to GPs to highlight the relevance and importance of this topic along with a review of the accessibility of services locally needs to be addressed so that we might in future contribute more effectively in caring for patients with TIAs in primary care.

Availability of supporting data

The data set supporting the results of this article are available in the Stroke Research Programme repository, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/srp/.

Ethical approval

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee granted approval for this study.

Abbreviations

TIA:

transient ischaemic attack

GP:

General practitioner

NSF:

National Stroke Foundation

ASU:

Acute Stroke Unit

RACGP:

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

AWGPN:

Adelaide Western General Practice Network

MBS:

Medicare Benefits Scheme

MRI:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NHMRC:

National Health and Medical Research Council.

References

  1. Johnston SC, Gress DR, Browner WS, Sidney S: Short-term prognosis after emergency department diagnosis of TIA. JAMA. 2000, 284 (22): 2901-2906. 10.1001/jama.284.22.2901.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  2. Lovett JK, Dennis MS, Sandercock PA, Bamford J, Warlow CP, Rothwell PM: Very early risk of stroke after a first transient ischaemic attack. Stroke. 2003, 34: e138-e142. 10.1161/01.STR.0000080935.01264.91.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  3. Lavallee PC, Meseguer E, Abboud H, Cabrejo L, Olivot J-M, Simon O, Mazighi M, Nifel C, Niclot P, Lapergue B, et al: A transient ischaemic attack clinic with round-the-clock access (SOS-TIA): feasibility and effects. Lancet Neurol. 2007, 6: 953-960. 10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70248-X.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  4. Rothwell PM, Giles MF, Chandratheva A, Marquardt L, Geraghty O, Redgrave JNE, Lovelock CE, Binney LE, Bull LM, Cuthbertson FC, et al: Effect of urgent treatment of transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke on early recurrent stroke (EXPRESS study): a prospective population-based sequential comparison. Lancet. 2007, 370: 1432-1442. 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61448-2.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  5. Middleton S, Sharpe D, Harris J, Corbett A, Lusby R, Ward J: Case scenarios to assess Australian general practitioners' understanding of stroke diagnosis, management, and prevention. Stroke. 2003, 34: 2681-2687. 10.1161/01.STR.0000096209.04460.BB.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  6. Franklin M, McDiarmid T, Mackler L, Neher JO: Clinical Inquiries. Is an outpatient workup safe for patients with a transient ischaemic attack?. J Fam Pract. 2004, 53 (7): 567-569.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  7. Tomaski T, Windak A, Margas G, de Melker RA, Jacobs H: Transient ischaemic attacks: desired diagnosis and management by Polish primary care physicians. Fam Pract. 2003, 20 (4): 464-468. 10.1093/fampra/cmg423.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  8. Quik-van Milligen M, Kuyvenhoven M, de Melker R, Touw-Otten F, Koudstaal P, van Gijn J: Transient ischaemic attacks and the general practitioner: diagnosis and management. Cerebrovasc Dis. 1992, 2: 102-106. 10.1159/000108996.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  9. Ferro JM, Falcao I, Rodrigues G, Canhao P, Melo TP, Oliveira V, Pinto AN, Crespo M, Salgado AV: Diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack by the Nonneurologist: A Validation Study. Stroke. 1996, 27 (12): 2225-2229. 10.1161/01.STR.27.12.2225.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  10. Kraaijeveld CL, van Gijn J, Schouten HJA, Staal A: Interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of transient ischemic attacks. Stroke. 1984, 15 (4): 723-725. 10.1161/01.STR.15.4.723.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  11. Nakash R, Hutton JL, Jorstad-Stein EC, Gates S, Lamb SE: Maximising response to postal questionnaires- a systematic review of randomised trials in health research. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2006, 6: 5-10.1186/1471-2288-6-5.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  12. Edwards PJ, Roberts IG, Clarke MJ, DiGuiseppi C, Pratap S, Wentz R, Kwan I: Increasing response rates to postal questionnaires: systematic review. Br Med J. 2002, 324: 1183-1190. 10.1136/bmj.324.7347.1183.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  13. Census Data. [http://www.abs.gov.au]

  14. General practitioner demographics. [http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/General+Practice+Statistics-1]

  15. Hordacre AL, Howard S, Moretti C, Kalucy E: Making a difference: report of the 2005ā€“2006 annual survey of divisions of general practice. Primary Health Care Research & Information Service, Department of General Practice, Flinders University and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. 2007

    Google ScholarĀ 

  16. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 2006, [http://online.statref.com/DictionaryHelp.aspx?type=dictionary&un=qehnursing&pw=statref], 28

  17. Albers GW, Caplan LR, Easton JD, Fayad PB, Mohr JP, Saver JL, Sherman DG: Transient ischaemic attack- proposal for a new definition. N Engl J Med. 2002, 347 (21): 1713-1716. 10.1056/NEJMsb020987.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  18. Easton JD, Saver JL, Albers GW, Alberts MJ, Chaturvedi S, Feldmann E, Hatsukami TS, Higashida RT, Johnston SC, Kidwell CS, et al: Definition and Evaluation of Transient Ischemic Attack: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this statement as an educational tool for neurologists. Stroke. 2009, 40 (6): 2276-2293. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.192218.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  19. von Kummer R, Allen KL, Holle R, Bozzao L, Bastianello S, Manelfe C, Bluhmki E, Ringleb P, Meier DH, Hacke W: Acute stroke: usefulness of early CT findings before thrombolytic therapy. Radiology. 1997, 205: 327-333.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  20. Wu CM, McLaughlin K, Lorenzetti DL, Hill MD, Manns BJ, Ghali WA: Early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack. Arch Intern Med. 2007, 167 (22): 2417-2422. 10.1001/archinte.167.22.2417.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  21. Johnston SC, Rothwell PM, Nguyen-Huynh MN, Giles MF, Elkins JS, Berstein AL, Sidney S: Validation and refinement of scores to predict very early stroke risk after transient ischaemic attack. Lancet. 2007, 369: 283-292. 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60150-0.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  22. Chalela J, Kidwell CS, Nentwich L, ML, Butman J, Demchuk AM: Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in emergency assessment of patients with suspected acute stroke: a prospective comparison. Lancet. 2007, 369 (9558): 293-298. 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60151-2.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  23. Clinical guidelines for acute stroke management. [http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/health-professionals]

  24. Flossmann E, Redgrave JN, Briley D, Rothwell PM: Reliability of Clinical Diagnosis of the Symptomatic Vascular Territory in Patients With Recent Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke. Stroke. 2008, 39 (9): 2457-2460. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.511428.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  25. Chen Z, Sandercock P, Pan H, et al: Indications for early aspirin use in acute ischaemic stroke. A combined analysis of 40 000 randomised patients from the Chinese Acute Stroke Trial and the International Stroke Trial. Stroke. 2000, 31: 1240-1249. 10.1161/01.STR.31.6.1240.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  26. Antithrombotic Trialists Collaboration: Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trial of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of patients death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high risk patients. Br Med J. 2002, 324: 71-86. 10.1136/bmj.324.7329.71.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  27. Halkes PHvJ, Kappelle LJ, Koudstaal PJ, Algra A, ESPRIT Study Group: Aspirin plus dipyridamole versus aspirin alone after cerebral ischaemia of arterial origin (ESPRIT): randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2006, 367 (9523): 1665-1673.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  28. Diener H-C, Bogousslavsky J, Brass LM, Cimminiello C, Csiba L, Kaste M, Leys D, Matias-Guiu J, Rupprecht H-J: Aspirin and clopidogrel compared with clopidogrel alone after recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack in high-risk patients (MATCH): randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2004, 364: 331-337. 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)16721-4.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  29. Cina CS, Clase CM, Hayes RB: Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1999, CD001081 (Issue 3): 10.1002/14651858.CD001081.

  30. Anticoagulants for preventing stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack. [http://0-www-mrw-interscience-wiley-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD000185/frame.html]

  31. Amarenco P, Bogousslavsky J, Callahan AI, Goldstein LB, Hennerici M, Rudolph AE, Sillesen H, Simunovic L, Szarek M, Welch KMA, et al: High-dose atorvastatin after stoke or transient ischemic attack (SPARCL). N Engl J Med. 2006, 355: 549-559.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  32. Rashid P, Leonardi-Bee J, Bath P: Blood pressure reduction and secondary prevention of stroke and other vascular events: a systematic review. Stroke. 2003, 34: 2741-2749. 10.1161/01.STR.0000092488.40085.15.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  33. Melbourne, National Stroke Foundation: National Stroke Audit Organisational Report Acute Services. 2007, Melbourne

    Google ScholarĀ 

  34. Miller G, Valenti L, Charles J: Use of diagnostic imaging in Australian general practice. Aust Fam Physician. 2006, 35 (5): 280-281.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  35. Information provision of stroke patients and their caregivers.

  36. Oldroyd J, Proudfoot J, Infante FA, Davies GP, Bubner T, Holton C, Beilby JJ, Harris MF: Providing healthcare for people with chronic illness: the view of Australian GPs. Medical Journal of Australia. 2003, 179: 30-33.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  37. Methods to increase response rates to postal questionnaires.

  38. VanGeest JB, Johnson TP, Welch VL: Methodologies for improving response rates in surveys of physicians: a systematic review. Eval Health Prof. 2007, 30 (4): 302-321.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  39. Ward J, Bruce T, Holt P, D'Este K, Sladden M: Labour-saving strategies to maintain survey response rates: a randomised trial. Aust N Z J Public Health. 1998, 22 (3): 394-396. 10.1111/j.1467-842X.1998.tb01398.x.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  40. Grava-Gubins I, Scott S: Effects of various methodologic strategies: survey response rates among Canadian physicians and physicians-in-training. Canadian Family Physician. 2008, 54: 1424-1430.

    PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  41. Barclay S, Todd C, Finlay I, Grande G, Wyatt P: Not another questionnaire! Maximising the response rate, predicting non response and assessing non-response bias in postal qustionnaire studies of GPs. Fam Pract. 2002, 19 (1): 105-111. 10.1093/fampra/19.1.105.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  42. Templeton L, Deehan A, Taylor C, Drummond C, Strang J: Surveying general practitioners: does a low response rate matter. Br J Gen Pract. 1997, 47: 91-94.

    PubMedĀ  CASĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  43. Kaner EFS, Haighton CA, McAvoy BR: 'So much post, so busy with practice- so, no time!;: a telephone survey of general practitioners'resons for not participating in postal questionnaire surveys. Br J Gen Pract. 1998, 48: 1067-1069.

    PubMedĀ  CASĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  44. McAvoy BR, Kaner EFS: General practice postal surveys: a questionnaire too far?. Br Med J. 1996, 313: 732-733. 10.1136/bmj.313.7059.732.

    ArticleĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  45. Onion CWR, Dutton CE, Walley T, Turnbull CJ, Dunne WT, Buchan IE: Local clinical guidelines: description and evaluation of a participative method for their development and implementation. Fam Pract. 1996, 13: 28-34. 10.1093/fampra/13.1.28.

    ArticleĀ  PubMedĀ  CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank The Adelaide Western General Practice Network for their support and the GPs who participated in the study. John B.F. Field, Statistician, Health Sciences, University of Adelaide for statistical advice and support and TQEH Neurology Department.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elaine Stephanie Leung.

Additional information

Competing interests

Funding: ESL was supported by Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training and the University of Adelaide in a GP Registrar Academic Post.

MHB, CP and SAK declare that they have no competing interests.

Authorsā€™ contributions

EL, AHB and SK contributed to the conception and design. EL carried out the collection and assembly of data, and the data analysis and interpretation. All authors contributed to manuscript writing and review, and approved the final manuscript.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leung, E.S., Hamilton-Bruce, M.A., Price, C. et al. Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) Knowledge in General Practice: a cross-sectional study of Western Adelaide general practitioners. BMC Res Notes 5, 278 (2012). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/1756-0500-5-278

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/1756-0500-5-278

Keywords