Draper, P.

Background: Patients with brain tumors form a heterogeneous group in terms of clinical presentation and pathology. However, the impact of the disease on patients′ families is often more homogenous and frequently quite profound. A considerable body of literature is available on the management of brain tumors and recently, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has developed guidelines on the care of brain tumor patients that should improve the overall outcome for the patient from both the disease and psychological aspects.

Aims.  The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of stroke on the patient's spouse, paying particular attention to psychiatric morbidity and the strain of caring, and correlating these with the degree of disability of the patient. The impact of impairment of speech was also investigated.

Background.  The impact of a stroke is not limited to the person who suffers it but also to the family, with the patient's spouse being particularly vulnerable. The literature suggests that the consequences for the spouse can be physical, psychological, economic and social.