Your doctor may suggest getting a second opinion from a stroke specialist who can review your risk factors, your diagnosis and the proposed treatment plan.
Materials are available for caregivers such as listings of local stroke support groups.
Measuring quality in ways that are useful to consumers is a new idea in health care. Because of that, it may not be possible to get complete information for each of these quality indicators. But when doctors and hospitals are willing to give you as much information as possible, it's a good sign. It shows that they are dedicated to maintaining and improving their quality, responsive to patients, and confident of their capabilities. If you are told that you are at high risk of having a stroke, or if you've already had a TIA and been told you may need a carotid endarterectomy, talk to your family doctor or neurologist.