International health agencies have encouraged the
development, implementation and dissemination of evidence-
based clinical practice guidelines in order to set a
standard for stroke management through the continuum
of care (Canadian Stroke Network & Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada, 2008; World Health Organization,
2005; World Heart Federation, 2006). As these guidelines
are broadly implemented and consumers of healthcare
become more aware of the need to seek and demand
timely medical attention and treatment, healthcare
systems will be increasingly challenged to ensure access
while providing quality risk reduction programs to support
sustained stroke prevention.