Back to Journals » Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare » Volume 11
Patient perspectives on transitioning to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis multidisciplinary clinics
Authors Schellenberg KL, Hansen G
Received 18 June 2018
Accepted for publication 25 July 2018
Published 1 October 2018 Volume 2018:11 Pages 519—524
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S177563
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser
Kerri Lynn Schellenberg,1 Gregory Hansen2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; 2Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Purpose: Multidisciplinary clinics (MDC) have become the standard of care for management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). No studies however, have captured patients’ perspectives during a transition to ALS MDCs. Recently, an ALS MDC emerged from a single-physician clinic in Saskatoon, Canada, providing patients with a unique exposure to two different models of care.
Patients and methods: Fifteen patients with ALS participated in semi-structured interviews that were digitally recorded and transcribed. Two independent researchers performed an inductive thematic analysis. Information was coded based on emerging and a priori themes. An iterative process followed involving discussion and reexamination of the themes until consensus was reached.
Results: All patients cited the convenience of integrated care as an advantage. Other advantages included clinical expertise and advocacy potential. Travel and reduced mobility were the most commonly discussed barriers/disadvantages of MDC attendance. The impact of geography and weather appeared to augment both the appreciation of an integrated approach and the impediment of travel, compared to the existing literature. The need for individualized care was demonstrated by the conflicting viewpoints obtained from participants. Most patients felt additional practitioners and supports for both patients and caregivers were required.
Conclusion: ALS patients transitioned to MDCs reported many of the advantages and disadvantages reported elsewhere. A novel perspective of a MDC’s advocacy potential was recognized, and the need for an innovative approach to meet demands for individualized care was highlighted.
Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron disease, multidisciplinary care, qualitative research
This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.
By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.