An Irish Heart Foundation study of people in the midlands found that community education programmes help to increase public knowledge about stroke. Before the education session, participants’ knowledge of the symptoms and signs of stroke was poor, with just 27 per cent able to list 2 or more warning signs that a person could be experiencing a stroke. Knowledge of treatment options and risk factors was also low. However, the study author, physiotherapist Geraldine O’Callaghan, found a statistically significant improvement in knowledge among those who attended the stroke education session compared with a control group.

Although attendance at the education programme was lower than expected, Ms O'Callaghan concluded: “Community education programmes have a role in increasing public knowledge of stroke, but whether such improvements are maintained in the long term; translate into optimised patient behaviour; or have as much impact as larger national stroke education campaigns, warrants further study.”