In late summer of 1995, a unique educational campaign was launched. Its goal — to promote improved response to, and management of, patients with acute stroke. A year later, AANS volunteer faculty have reached thousands of medical and health care professionals with these presentations.
The program, called “Brain Attack: A Body of Knowledge, A Coalition of Support,” is supported by a multi-specialty coalition of medical associations, including the AANS, the American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Society of Neuroradiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and National Stroke Association.
The key messages of the program are:
- Stroke is preventable.
- Stroke is an emergency.
- Fast response can make a difference — a therapeutic “window of opportunity” exists during which the effects of stroke may be reversed or at least reduced.
- Effective stroke therapies are available to improve outcome.
- New treatments are being developed.
The target audiences are those first responders and other health care professionals who come into early contact with a stroke victim.
Volunteer Faculty
The work of the Coalition is being carried out through a network of physician and nurse volunteers who make presentations in a variety of venues such as grand rounds, clinics, teaching hospitals, and medical conferences/symposia. To support the faculty, the Coalition developed a detailed syllabus and slide materials. The curriculum covers clinical and acute intervention for stroke. Topics include etiology, epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, interventional treatment, and clinical trials for stroke-related drugs.
As faculty, each physician or nurse commits to conducting a minimum of three educational presentations within a one-year period. They also agree to complete and return a faculty report form each time they make a presentation.
Program’s Impact
Since the program’s inception, nearly 1,500 faculty have been recruited from among the memberships of the participating organizations in the United States and Canada. Of that number, 268 are neurosurgeons. During the past year, they have made more than 175 presentations to nearly 6,700 medical professionals. The impact of these presentations has been gratifying. Comments from those who’ve heard the Brain Attack message include the following:
“We have, since this presentation, enacted a ‘Brain Attack Alert Team’ at MUSC. We have a neurologist, neurosurgeon and stroke research nurse on call 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week now.”
“I didn’t realize stroke is treatable — I guess EMS Code 30 is to be treated like a trauma.”
“Because of the presentation, a ‘Brain Attack’ committee was formed with the intention of developing a protocol.”
“I’ve never appreciated (stroke) as an emergency until your presentation.”
In addition to the teaching materials, faculty received a sample press release that they could use to publicize their work with the Coalition. An added benefit of this effort has been that local media have picked up on the Brain Attack message and featured it in their reports. One faculty member reported, “I presented the material to a Richmond Times Dispatch news correspondent in-depth and this resulted in a half-page article with diagrams being published.”
The AANS continues to welcome faculty into the program and any interested member may contact the Communications Department at the National Office to request enrollment information.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BRAIN ATTACK FACULTY
Joining this national educational initiative is easy.
The Mission:
A national campaign among health care providers to improve clinical outcomes for stroke patients by reducing the time from the patient’s first encounter with the health care system to optimal treatment of “Brain Attack.”
- Heighten awareness
- Enhance knowledge and understanding
- Create a sense of urgency
- Motivate to take action
The Commitment:
A Brain Attack Coalition Slide Presentation Syllabus is available at no charge in return for your enrollment as a faculty member in the Coalition. As a member, you will be committing to conduct a minimum of three presentations to a medical professional/peer group (i.e., grand rounds, staff meetings, professional associations) within a one-year period. Once a member, you will also be eligible for future support material developed on Brain Attack and notified of events promoting prevention.
To Enroll:
Request an enrollment form from the Communications Department at the AANS National Office. Call Susan Nowicki, APR, Director of Communications, at (847)692-9500 or fax your request to (847)692-2589.