Canadian Stroke Best Practices: 7th Edition Update with New Vascular Cognitive Impairment Module
The Canadian Stroke Best Practices has released its 7th edition update, featuring a new module on Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI). Dr. Gail Eskes was part of the working group that developed these essential resources.
VCI can be devastating for individuals and their families, with delays in diagnosis and treatment only worsening its impact. The new module provides clinicians with guidance on recognizing and managing VCI in patients affected by stroke or other vascular conditions. For the first time, VCI has been elevated to a stand-alone module, reflecting growing awareness of its significance. It covers the full continuum of care, including symptom recognition, screening, assessment, diagnosis, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care. This resource is essential for healthcare professionals specializing in cardiology, stroke, and cognitive disorders.
A key feature of the module is the VCI infographic and journey map, which offer valuable insights into the experiences of individuals living with VCI and their caregivers. Previously, these experiences were not well-documented, making the journey map a crucial step toward improving support, management strategies, and care expectations.
The first edition of Canadian Stroke Best Practices was published in 2015, with Dr. Eskes serving as co-chair. The 7th edition is now available on the Stroke Best Practices Website and in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal.