Stroke patient education: scientific evidence, practical application Abstract. Stroke is a sudden and brutal event that changes every aspect of daily life. The patient and his family will need to develop skills in self-management of this chronic disease over the long term, managing risk factors, lifestyle changes and consequences of stroke. In recent years, randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of patient education and of several lifestyle-changing interventions adopted after a stroke. We summarize this scientific knowledge and describe the practical aspects of implementing a patient education program in a stroke unit, an essential approach in the treatment and follow-up of stroke patients.