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Petrin J, Marrie RA, Devonshire V, Jichici D, Hrebicek O, Metz LM, Morrow SA, Oh J, Smyth P, Donkers SJ. Good multiple sclerosis (MS) care and how to get there in Canada: Perspectives of Canadian healthcare providers working with persons with MS. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1101521. [PMID: 36937527 PMCID: PMC10018146 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1101521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The literature that has examined healthcare access and needs of the multiple sclerosis (MS) population is limited. Currently, no research has engaged healthcare providers delivering services to this population to examine their perspectives on the provision of MS care in Canada. We aimed to summarize what good MS care should look like according to Canadian healthcare providers working with people with MS, and to identify the supports and resources required, within their care setting, to enable this standard of care. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach was taken to analyze data from participants who responded to additional open-ended survey questions, within a larger "MS Models of Care Survey" targeting Canadian healthcare providers working with persons with MS. Results Currently, a gap exists between what healthcare providers working with persons with MS believe MS care should encompass and what they are able to offer. Participants emphasized that their MS clinics are currently understaffed and patient-to-provider ratios are high, leaving very little time to address the array of healthcare concerns their patients present with. The healthcare providers overwhelmingly described that moving toward multidisciplinary team-based MS care that includes appropriate numbers of MS-trained neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and mental health providers working within one location would be their prioritized approach to comprehensively managing MS care. This model of care enables all professionals to effectively coordinate care and use their time efficiently by only focusing on their area of expertise, all while meeting the needs of their patient in one setting, reducing wait-times and improving overall care. Conclusion To meet the care needs of Canadians with MS, the healthcare system must consider standardizing and funding multidisciplinary team-based MS clinics, comparable to Stroke units, which continue to show favorable health outcomes after years of implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Petrin
- 1School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ruth Ann Marrie
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- 3Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Virginia Devonshire
- 4Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Draga Jichici
- 5Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Olinka Hrebicek
- 6Department of Neurology, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Luanne M. Metz
- 7Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah A. Morrow
- 8Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jiwon Oh
- 9Division of Neurology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Penelope Smyth
- 10Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah J. Donkers
- 1School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- *Correspondence: Sarah J. Donkers
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Eyssen ICJM, Steultjens MPM, de Groot V, Steultjens EMJ, Knol DL, Polman CH, Dekker J. A cluster randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of client-centred occupational therapy in multiple sclerosis: good process, poor outcome. Disabil Rehabil 2013; 35:1636-46. [DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2012.748845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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