Multidisciplinary MS consultation


By Dr Nele Glibert, General Neurologist, AZ Groeninge Hospital

Advanced MasterClass 9, November 2020

Aim

To provide holistic MS care by ensuring people have access to a wide range of professionals through multidisciplinary team (MDT) consultations.

Headlines

People with MS need access to neurologists, MS nurses, urologists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, social workers, and more to manage their condition. However, this doesn’t always happen.

To ensure this access, the team set up MDT consultations for those they believed would benefit from the approach.

During the monthly clinics:

  • The neurologist performed a thorough neurological exam, assessed EDSS and evaluated current management
  • The urologist, rehabilitation doctor, and psychologist examined the patient, gave advice, and proposed individualised treatment options
  • A social worker from the MS League gave advice on social issues

Key findings

Between January 2019 and March 2020, 68 patients took part in the monthly (excluding July and August) MDT consultations.

The approach resulted in quality of care improvements and patient satisfaction was high.

MDT consultations were paused in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommendations

  • To re-start the MDT consultations
  • To expand access to all MS patients
  • To include other relevant disciplines, including psychiatry, gastroenterology, physiotherapy, and nutrition/ dietitian

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