Overview

This module is part of a suite of five modules which focus on cognition after stroke (Module A) and the Oxford Cognitive Screen and how it can be used to assess post-stroke cognitive impairments (Modules B to E).

To find out more about the full set of resources, please see Cognition and cognitive screening. 

The modules are aimed at qualified clinicians (Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists and specialist Nurses) working with people after stroke. This module has been classified ‘intermediate’ as clinicians administering the OCS and reporting the results need to have sufficient clinical knowledge to understand and interpret cognitive impairments occurring in stroke.

It will be useful to refer to the OCS materials while completing this module (hard or electronic version) i.e. Country-specific (User Manual, Patient Pack and Test Booklets for Version A or B) or the sample download of the UK OCS Patient Pack and Test Booklet.

Learning objectives

• document and report the OCS results clearly in medical records
• describe possible functional cognitive implications identified through OCS screening
• understand why it is important to provide feedback to a participant, their family and carers 
• describe how to use OCS results to guide patient/participant management
• understand when it may be appropriate to do further cognitive assessment(s).

Acknowledgements

This module has been developed through a collaboration of:

• Colette Sanctuary (Stroke OT, OCS-AU Project Officer), Luisa Hewitt (Stroke Speech Pathologist, OCS-AU Project Officer) and Dr Di Marsden (Manager, Stroke Projects and Education), Hunter Stroke Service, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW, Australia
• Stroke Network, NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW, Australia
• Associate Professor Nele Demeyere (Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist), Oxford University, UK, who, along with her colleagues, developed the Oxford Cognitive Screen.
• Joe Hughes (Creative Producer, Director), Magpie Creative, NSW, Australia