Background
Although improving patient experience is a recognized priority, stakeholders within the Toronto Stroke Networks (TSNs) identified that optimal psychosocial care including the use of hopeful language are lacking. Literature suggests that attending to psychosocial needs and nurturing hope is equally as important as biomedical care and contributes to positive health outcomes.  In practice, perceptions about hope vary, and hope is often ‘managed’ for fear it will lead to unrealistic recovery expectations. Psychosocial care falls to select professions, leaving others ill-equipped to address issues.  The TSNs identified the need for a core level of competency for all healthcare providers (HCPs) including clarifying roles, adapting behaviours and optimizing interprofessional communication and relationships with patients to nurture hope and recovery.

Methodology
A literature review and environmental scan examining the impact of psychosocial care and promoting hope in stroke recovery were completed.  Persons with stroke/caregivers shared their experience of hopeful and psychosocial care.  HCPs were interviewed to ascertain their needs from the system to optimize hope-inspiring psychosocial care. 

Results
A novel Psychosocial Care Model for Stroke was developed incorporating results from our methodology. The model reflects core process and communication elements and core competencies such as  communication style, counselling skills, self-awareness around hope and biases, etc. This model will guide HCP educational/knowledge transfer program development.

Conclusion
Attending to psychosocial issues and integrating hope in delivering interprofessional post-stroke care represents a shift in the delivery of stroke care in Toronto. Optimizing HCP competency to improve recovery-oriented care has promise for better patient functional outcomes and HCP job satisfaction

RECOVERY-ORIENTED CARE: SUPPORTING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE AFTER STROKE STARTS WITH HOPE