ORCID
- Hobart, Jeremy: 0000-0002-2114-7920
Abstract
BACKGROUND:: Time matters in multiple sclerosis (MS). Irreversible neural damage and cell loss occur from disease onset. The MS community has endorsed a management strategy of prompt diagnosis, timely intervention and regular proactive monitoring of treatment effectiveness and disease activity to improve outcomes in people with MS. OBJECTIVES:: We sought to develop internationally applicable quality standards for timely, brain health-focused MS care. METHODS:: A panel of MS specialist neurologists participated in an iterative, online, modified Delphi process to define 'core', 'achievable' and 'aspirational' time frames reflecting minimum, good and high care standards, respectively. A multidisciplinary Reviewing Group (MS nurses, people with MS, allied healthcare professionals) provided insights ensuring recommendations reflected perspectives from multiple stakeholders. RESULTS:: Twenty-one MS neurologists from 19 countries reached consensus on most core (25/27), achievable (25/27) and aspirational (22/27) time frames at the end of five rounds. Agreed standards cover six aspects of the care pathway: symptom onset, referral and diagnosis, treatment decisions, lifestyle, disease monitoring and managing new symptoms. CONCLUSION:: These quality standards for core, achievable and aspirational care provide MS teams with a three-level framework for service evaluation, benchmarking and improvement. They have the potential to produce a profound change in the care of people with MS.
DOI
10.1177/1352458518809326
Publication Date
2018-11-01
Publication Title
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
ISSN
1352-4585
Embargo Period
2019-01-11
Organisational Unit
Peninsula Medical School
Keywords
Delphi technique, Multiple sclerosis, benchmarking, consensus, quality improvement, standards
First Page
1.35245851880932e+15
Last Page
1.35245851880932e+15
Recommended Citation
Hobart, J., Bowen, A., Pepper, G., Crofts, H., Eberhard, L., Berger, T., Boyko, A., Boz, C., Butzkueven, H., Celius, E., Drulovic, J., Flores, J., Horáková, D., Lebrun-Frénay, C., Marrie, R., Overell, J., Piehl, F., Rasmussen, P., Sá, M., Sîrbu, C., Skromne, E., Torkildsen, Ø., van, P., Vollmer, T., Zakaria, M., Ziemssen, T., & Giovannoni, G. (2018) 'International consensus on quality standards for brain health-focused care in multiple sclerosis.', MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, , pp. 1.35245851880932e+15-1.35245851880932e+15. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458518809326
