The Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs) Project was commissioned by the Scottish Government to produce an e-learning resource which would enhance the educational opportunities for health and social care staff working with people affected by stroke.

The website aims to provide an interactive way of learning and uses quizzes, animations, video clips and case scenarios. There are assessments which the learner may opt to undertake and which, if passed, gives a certificate of completion.

The project is being led by Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the University of Edinburgh and is supported by a national steering group of expert stroke clinicians.

In Scotland the STARs website provides a valuable additional resource to a comprehensive range of stroke education and training opportunities. Further information on these can be found below.

There are 4 levels to the STARs website; the Stroke Core Competencies, the Stroke Advancing Modules, the Thrombolysis Masterclass and our newly developed Stroke4Carers website, which is primarly aimed at unpaid carers.
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STARs Stroke Core Competencies

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This learning resource is based on the Stroke Core Competencies which were published by NES in 2005. It focuses on a wide range of core knowledge and skills required by all staff when delivering stroke care.

Target audience:
In Scotland all staff working with people affected by stroke should undertake training in the NES Stroke Core Competencies and be able to provide evidence of this training.

http://www.StrokeCoreCompetencies.org/
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STARs Stroke Advancing Modules

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There are 10 Advancing Modules which provide a more specialised learning resource aimed primarily at registered staff working in stroke services. Additional modules will be added at intervals.

The target audience may include staff who:

  • have completed their Stroke Core Competencies training
  • wish to extend their stroke knowledge and skills
  • wish to refresh their existing stroke knowledge and skills
  • are responsible for providing training within their area

http://www.StrokeAdvancingModules.org/

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STARs Thrombolysis Masterclass

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This Masterclass is aimed at senior staff who are involved in making the decision to treat with thrombolysis. The module consists of a series of virtual patient scenarios which focus on patient history, examination and imaging. The learner is asked to decide what treatment options they would choose and have the opportunity to compare their treatment decisions with selected experts and other learners who have completed the cases.

The target audience may include staff who:

  • Senior staff involved in making the decision to treat with thrombolysis
  • Staff who have completed the Thrombolysis Advancing Module and wish to extend their knowledge of thrombolysis

http://www.StrokeAdvancingModules.org/labyrinth_thrombo/
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STARs Stroke4Carers

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Stroke4Carers is a website for unpaid stroke carers, family and friends of anyone affected by stroke illness. Stroke4carers aims to give you free online advice, information and support whenever or wherever you need it.

After consultations with stroke carers from across Scotland the following seven topics were chosen:

  • Stroke cause and effects
  • The hospital team
  • Practical advice and tips for carers
  • Care at home
  • Money, benefits and legal issues
  • Support for you the carer
  • Carers' rights

http://www.stroke4carers.org/

Other Education and Training Activities in Scotland:

  • Stroke training is offered in some other NHS Boards in Scotland, for information about these please contact the local area stroke Managed Clinical Network.

Further and Higher Education Stroke Courses in Scotland:

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