Community nurses' assessment of the needs of Hong Kong family carers who are looking after stroke patients

This research aimed to identify the current practice of community nurses in Hong Kong in assessing stroke patients and their carers, and to pilot a scale for inclusion in the routine assessment of Chinese carers and their families. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. In Phase 1, information was gained about the current practice of Community Nurses in assessing the needs of carers, and appropriate areas for inclusion in a scale for assessing those needs were identified. In Phase 2, the Carer Assessment Scale was completed by 14 Community Nurses and subsequently administered by a research assistant independently to the carers themselves. The perceptions of the two groups of respondents were compared, agreements and differences noted, and conclusions drawn, as to the real needs of carers.