Bridging the Gap: Addressing Unmet Needs and Access in Stroke Care

In this episode, titled ‘Bridging the Gap: Addressing Unmet Needs and Access in Stroke Care,’ the neurology experts explored the following critical questions:

What are the unmet needs in early identification and diagnosis of stroke and how do you hope to see them improve in the near future?

Before diving into ischemic stroke, what are the treatment goals for hemorrhagic stroke?

The neurology experts examined the urgent need for broader access to stroke education and specialized data for frontline providers in community settings. Danison Emmerson and David Rose highlighted the role of telestroke and virtual platforms in bridging the gap between rural patients and academic centers, ensuring that high-complexity decision-making is available regardless of geography. The panel also introduced the "MATH" mnemonic—metastatic disease/medications, aneurysms/arteriovenous malformations, trauma, and hypertension—to categorize and manage the various causes of hemorrhagic stroke. Furthermore, the discussion emphasized the importance of aggressive blood pressure control in the hyperacute phase to improve long-term outcomes for patients with brain bleeds.

Throughout the conversation, the experts provide a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

In the next episode, ‘Secondary Prevention: Aligning Treatment Goals and Patient Adherence’, panelists will continue their discussion on stroke and highlight the transition from acute to chronic treatment goals, the importance of medication adherence, and specific lifestyle modifications like the DASH and Mediterranean diets.