1039- Zambia- Evaluating Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Zambia's First Stroke Unit

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and sub-Saharan Africa faces the largest burden of stroke of all world regions. Health systems and resource limitations mean that evidence-based stroke care is often unavailable. For example, stroke units - centralized locations where only patients with stroke are admitted and nurses with specialized training in stroke care routinely provide care for these patients - are the standard of care in higher resourced settings but are largely absent in Africa. In October 2023, we launched Zambia's first and only stroke unit at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. We have an ongoing research program to evaluate the uptake of clinical practice guidelines by healthcare workers in the stroke unit and its impact on patient outcomes. However, we currently are not evaluating patient/caregiver perceptions of stroke unit care.

The student's project would be focused on completing qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews and brief surveys with patients/caregivers about their experiences in the stroke unit and the strengths and weaknesses of their care there.

Academic hospital with medical students and residents. We have a large neurology research group with multiple local research coordinators as well as weekly journal clubs and research methods seminars/research work-in-progress meetings that will provide opportunities for academic stimulation.

Has experience with qualitative research or has taken the qualitative research course as JHSPH with an interest in both qualitative methods and data analysis

Name: Deanna Saylor, Department of Neurology, deanna@jhmi.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

I enjoy giving mentees significant independence but also believe regular weekly meetings with direct and open lines of communication are important. I encourage creative thinking and problem solving but also want to be alerted to logistical or programmatic challenges at an early stage so we can decide together how best to address them.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

Highly self-motivated and able to work independently but a clear communicator who enjoys thinking for themselves and is able to propose solutions for feedback rather than await solutions generated by someone else.

Total: $1500/month; approximately $500-$600 each for housing, transportation and food per month