Serah Kalpakavadi (Australia)
Teacup Cottage
Disability support
I, Dr. Serah Kalpakavadi, an Indian citizen, completed my Bachelors degree in Medicine from Lugansk state medical university in Ukraine (2014). Following, I moved back to India and did a 6 month certification course, Postgraduate diploma in clinical research and Pharmacovigilance. Later, I started working in a clinical research organisation, ICON plc, as the Associate clinical data coordinator. Then I worked as a Clinical Assistant in the Believers Advanced Stroke and Intervention center, under the department of Neuromedicine at Believers Church medical college and hospital. I worked there for 2.5 years and obtained a strong knowledge in stroke and intervention protocol, came across numerous acute stroke cases (small and large vessel) which increased my passion in this field. Later, I moved to Australia to pursue my Masters degree in Public health and I recently graduated from Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane in August, 2021. I majored in Epidemiology and Research methods, in which I was trained to use SPSS and Jamovi statistical software alongside gaining knowledge in advanced epidemiological concepts.

Presenter of 1 Presentation

 Conference Calendar

EFFECT OF THE TOOL ‘BEFAST’ ON STROKE IDENTIFICATION: A SCOPING REVIEW

Session Name
0420 - Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (ID 104)
Session Type
Oral Presentations
Date
27.10.2021, Wednesday
Session Time
12:00 - 12:10
Room
ORAL PRESENTATIONS 3
Presenter
Lecture Time
12:10 - 12:20

Abstract

Background and Aims

FAST(Facial weakness,Arm droop,Slurry Speech and Time) which is used for identifying acute strokes mostly recognize signs which are related to anterior circulation stroke.Several medical institutions are now applying BEFAST with two components added to FAST(B-Balance disturbances /E-Eye issues) for identifying common posterior circulation stroke signs also.We aim to review and synthesize relevant knowledge on the effect of adding BE with FAST for stroke identification.

Methods

The review followed scoping methodological framework outlined by Arskey and O’Malley(2005).An extensive literature search with electronic databases like Embase,PubMed,Medline,CINAHL, APA PsycINFO,Google scholar and grey literature was undertaken.Study selection was conducted according to inclusion criteria with the help of PRISMA flowchart.Study design wasn't restricted for conducting an extensive search and date range from 2015 onwards was considered for reviewing recent research in the field.

Results

Out of 56 articles,18 articles were included in the review upon meeting the criteria.BEFAST was found to be effective in many of the included papers,even though there were few studies with no significant difference in adding'BE’to the current existing FAST.Additionally, the review pointed out BEFAST to be taking the role of a screening tool among the clinicians more than a public awareness tool.

Conclusions

The BEFAST was found to be effective as a screening tool for identification, particularly those belonging to posterior circulation.Therefore,revision of the existing tool to BE FAST may be recommended while attempting to avoid missed strokes which could manifest with posterior circulation. However,further research over larger population and variety settings are required to confirm its effect as a public awareness tool.

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