The primary aim of the randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored written education package ("What you need to know about stroke") on the outcomes of:

• Knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, perceived health status, satisfaction with the content and presentation of the information received, and desire for additional information for patients following stroke and
• Knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, satisfaction with the content and presentation of the information received, and desire for additional information for their carers.

A secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of written information on the outcomes of knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, and perceived health status of patients following stroke and on knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression of their carers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or was the informal carer of a person who had a stroke or TIA;
• Had a reported English-proficiency level, corrected hearing and vision, and communication status adequate to participate in an interview and complete assessment tasks;
• Did not have reported or observable dementia;
• Lived within 50km of the hospital, for ease of follow-up; and
• Was medically stable.