Virtually all major pharmaceutical companies have deployedfield-based medical support programs. Since 1967, medical liaison personnel have supported a range of customers, including opinion leaders, investigators, and health care decision makers. This article summarizes the history of field-based medical programs, and provides results of a 1999 pharmaceutical industry medical informution survey and information on establishing a regional liaison program. Technological advances, consolidation of decision making, and the increasing complexity of health care decisions will mandate the need for continued field medical program development and expansion.

Aims: To explore the experience of early supported discharge from the perspective of stroke survivors in Ireland. Methods: A qualitative research design was used. Participants (n=4) were purposively selected, and each had undergone early supported discharge. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with each of these individuals, and were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Two superordinate themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Getting out and getting on. (2) Understandings and misunderstandings. While participants welcomed early supported discharge and reported positive experiences, they also experienced anxiety and uncertainty regarding early discharge and their ability to cope at home following stroke. Conclusions: Early supported discharge appears to be a positive experience for stroke survivors. Health care professionals should pay particular attention to providing adequate information about early supported discharge for stroke survivors and their carers. Further research is needed to capture carers' perspectives of early supported discharge.

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