Background: Several risk score models are now available to assist clinicians estimate outcomes after an acute ischemic stroke. Limited information is available on the predictive value of these scores compared to real outcomes and clinical judgment.

Objectives: To compare clinician judgment with the use of a validated stroke risk score (iScore) and patients' outcomes.

A convenience sample of 111 practicing clinicians (general and vascular neurologists, internists, and ER physicians) predicted the outcomes of 5 stroke patients based on case summaries. Cases were randomly selected as being representative of the 10 most common clinical scenarios (n=1,415) from a pool of over 12,000 patients admitted to stroke centers in Ontario, Canada. Stroke cases had known clinical presentation, comorbidities, stroke severity, and outcomes.

All participants are active practicing physicians caring for patients with acute stroke. Conditions were standardized to mimic clinical practice.

Main outcomes of interest included 30-day mortality and death or disability at discharge.

Secondary outcome: death or institutionalization at discharge

Inclusion Criteria:

• Practicing and active physicians managing patients with stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

• retired physicians
• physicians not exposed to care for stroke patients