Collaboration among medical staff in stroke team care

Abstract

The spread of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular therapy, as well as the enactment of the stroke and cardiovascular disease control act have facilitated the building of a team medical system for stroke in Japan. To expand the stroke medical system, primary stroke centers and stroke patient support centers have been established throughout Japan. The target of expansion of stroke medical care has shifted from the acute phase to the chronic phase, and thus collaboration among stroke team medical staff in each center will become more important in enhancing support for survivors of stroke and their caregivers.