2018 Brain Aneurysm Foundation Annual Report 2018-Brain-Aneurysm-Foundation-Annual-Report | Page 10

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
In 2018 the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) collaborated with DBC Pri-Med LLC to develop an
educational webcast for primary care physicians (PCP) to help them identify the early warning signs
and symptoms of a brain aneurysm rupture. The first of its kind educational webcast launched in
January of 2019 and will be offered for one year.
Accurate early diagnosis is critical, as the initial hemorrhage may be fatal or result in devastating
neurologic outcomes. Despite widespread neuroimaging availability, a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
occurs in up to 25 percent of patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage when initially seeking medical
treatment. Failure to do a scan results in 73 percent of these misdiagnoses.
“As one in fifty people in the United States has an unruptured brain aneurysm, it is imperative that PCPs
are provided accurate information to help them identify a potential brain aneurysm before it ruptures. We
hear the same story time and again,” said BAF Executive Director Christine Buckley. “Survivors and their
families reach out for information and recovery support because they were completely blindsided when
their healthy family member or friend is suddenly rushed to the hospital or, worse, found unresponsive.”
Primary care physicians are often the first line of defense. However, the presence of a brain aneurysm
can be difficult to detect. Symptoms can present as stress or pain related. Physicians may be inclined to
recommend yoga or prescribe pain medicine, rather than send their patient for a life-saving head scan.
Knowledge is power, which is why the webcast is a critical opportunity to increase the level of awareness
among the medical community and save lives.
SUMMARY PARTICIPANT KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCE & CONFIDENCE
Average Knowledge Improvement: 117%
Correct Response: Pre Webcast
98%
97%
59%
Correct Response: Post Webcast
97%
64%
49%
24%
Question 1
20%
Question 2
Question 3
Source: Pri-Med
7
91%
86%
Question 4
Question 5