Training care givers of stroke patients: Economic evaluation

Abstract

Background: Training care givers reduces their burden and improves psychosocial outcomes in care givers and patients at one year. However, the cost effectiveness of this approach has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of caregiver training by examining health and social care costs, informal care costs, and quality adjusted life years in care givers. Design: A single, blind, randomised controlled trial. Setting: Stroke rehabilitation unit. Subjects: 300 stroke patients and their care givers. Interventions: Caregiver training in basic nursing and facilitation of personal care techniques compared with no caregiver training. Main outcome measures: Health and soc..