Background/Aims:
International initiatives have identified global stroke research priorities. This study aimed to determine current stroke research priorities within the Australian context, incorporating the views of survivors of stroke, people in their support network as well as health professionals and academic researchers.
Methods:
We formed a working group, consisting of lived-experience experts (n=4), academic researchers (n=3), and Stroke Foundation staff (n=4) with further collaboration with the Stroke Foundation’s Lived Experience Council (n=9). Priorities from four previous processes (Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, Synergies TO Prevent stroke – STOPstroke, Stroke Treatment Academic Industry Roundtable, and James Lind Alliance) were compiled and categorised.
A facilitated workshop was held with the Lived Experience Council to identify criteria to prioritise topics. A survey was distributed to people with lived experience, health professionals, and researchers, who were asked to rank research topics according to the pre-defined criteria. Graph-based voting analysis was used to generate priority lists.
Results:
Priorities were grouped into three categories: Prevention (6 topics), Early Treatment (6 topics), and Rehabilitation and Life After Stroke (8 topics). Key value criteria included potential impact on independence and quality of life, prevalence, and strength of evidence. Only three topics had strong supporting evidence.
Data collection is underway and results will be analysed in June 2025.
Conclusion:
This multistep process, guided by people with lived experience, has identified Australia’s top stroke research priorities. Findings will inform the work of Stroke Foundation and research activities, and the final priority list will be shared at the conference.