Recovering from a stroke is complex and requires more than just medical care. An interprofessional team-based approach helps survivors navigate challenges and improves long-term outcomes.
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, Ph.D., APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Chair, National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and College of Nursing
When someone survives a stroke, it can feel like the worst is over. However, for many survivors, that moment is just the start of a long road to recovery.
Life after a stroke often brings big challenges — physical changes, emotional struggles, financial hardships, and the stress of managing care and medications. These hurdles can last long after leaving the hospital. That’s why a person recovering from a stroke needs more than just a follow-up appointment; they need a full healthcare team of different types of medical professionals and a plan that follows evidence-based clinical guidelines.
Community support is vital, too. Mayor Keith Ogle of Frankfort, IL, knows this firsthand. His late uncle was bedridden for 12 years after a stroke.
“Someone who worked hard all his life wasn’t able to enjoy retirement,” said Ogle. “Hopefully, by taking better care of ourselves and putting support systems in place, we can help others avoid that situation.”
Ogle’s uncle’s story is not uncommon. Many stroke survivors face lasting problems because they don’t have enough support, miss medications, or aren’t connected to the right care.
As a local leader, Ogle works to raise awareness and shape community-level policies that support stroke prevention, early intervention, and long-term care. Public officials like him are critical partners in advocating for healthier communities, alongside pharmacists, community health workers, nurses, and other frontline professionals who help survivors navigate the path to recovery every day.
Medication nonadherence: a major barrier to recovery
One major issue is not taking medications as prescribed, also called medication nonadherence. It’s a quiet crisis that causes serious harm. The American Heart Association reports that missing medications leads to about 125,000 deaths every year in the United States. It also costs healthcare purchasers $300 billion each year due to extra healthcare provider visits, emergency room trips, and hospital stays. For stroke survivors, missing medication can lead to another stroke or slow down recovery.
Pharmacists can help fill the gaps
Here’s some good news: Pharmacists can play a huge role in helping stroke survivors stay on track. Research shows that when pharmacists manage a patient’s care, especially for conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, it leads to better health outcomes. These improvements lower the chances of returning to the hospital and can improve quality of life.
For pharmacist-led care to be most effective, strong communication between healthcare providers is key. While hospitals often have systems to support this teamwork, there’s a growing opportunity to strengthen coordination in community clinics, primary care practices, and pharmacies.
Why an interprofessional team approach works
Recovering from a stroke is complicated, and no single healthcare provider can do it all. That’s why an interprofessional team approach is so important.
A strong stroke care team might include:
- Doctors and nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat patients
- Nurses to monitor and educate patients
- Pharmacists to manage medications
- Nutritionists to help with healthy eating
- Community Health Workers (CHWs) to connect patients with services and support
- Families and caregivers to provide ongoing emotional support, assist with daily activities, and ensure adherence to treatment plans.
Together, this team makes sure patients don’t fall through the cracks.
The power of policy in stroke recovery
Public health leaders can make a big difference by supporting policies that expand access to stroke recovery services. For example, making it easier for pharmacists and CHWs to be part of the care team and funding programs that help patients manage their care can lead to better results, especially in underserved communities. Expanding these services can also reduce differences in care and outcomes among different groups of people.
Surviving a stroke is only the beginning. Recovery depends on more than individual strength; it also relies on systems that provide coordinated care, access to medication, reliable transportation, and community support. Policies that support interprofessional team-based care can turn a long-term struggle into lasting recovery.
To learn more about how a team-based approach to care can shape stronger recovery systems, visit https://www.nationalforum.org/value-and-access-joint-policy-statements.
