Improving service delivery for neuromuscular diseases: a survey of consumers at a tertiary Australian hospital

Intern Med J. 2018 Dec;48(12):1520-1524. doi: 10.1111/imj.14123.

Abstract

Patients with neuromuscular diseases benefit from coordinated multidisciplinary care to achieve best outcomes. The integration of multi-specialty healthcare delivered in a single clinic can be challenging for service providers due to cost and resource limitation. Our cross-sectional survey of 53 adult patients with neuromuscular disease across Queensland revealed only 27% support the introduction of an integrated multidisciplinary clinic. The most cited reason for opposition to a multidisciplinary clinic was a perceived loss of contact with one's usual doctor. Modifying service delivery in neuromuscular disease is a complex undertaking and will need input from numerous stakeholders.

Keywords: Duchenne; multidisciplinary; muscular dystrophy; neuromuscular; service delivery.

MeSH terms

  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Delivery of Health Care / methods*
  • Humans
  • Needs Assessment
  • Neuromuscular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases* / therapy
  • Patient Care Management / methods*
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*