Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example
Abstract Background Progressive ataxias are rare and complex neurological disorders that represent a challenge for the clinicians to diagnose and manage them. This study explored the patient pathways of individuals attending specialist ataxia centres (SAC) compared with non–specialist settings. We i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-023-02907-y |
| _version_ | 1827708417979973632 |
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| author | Julie Vallortigara Julie Greenfield Barry Hunt Deborah Hoffman Carola Reinhard Holm Graessner Antonio Federico Vinciane Quoidbach Steve Morris Paola Giunti |
| author_facet | Julie Vallortigara Julie Greenfield Barry Hunt Deborah Hoffman Carola Reinhard Holm Graessner Antonio Federico Vinciane Quoidbach Steve Morris Paola Giunti |
| author_sort | Julie Vallortigara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Progressive ataxias are rare and complex neurological disorders that represent a challenge for the clinicians to diagnose and manage them. This study explored the patient pathways of individuals attending specialist ataxia centres (SAC) compared with non–specialist settings. We investigated specifically how diagnosis was reached, the access to healthcare services, treatments, and care satisfaction. The focus of this study was on early intervention, coordination of treatment to understand the care provision in different countries. Methods A patient survey was done in the UK, Germany and Italy to gather information about diagnosis and management of the ataxias in specialist (SAC) and non-specialist settings, utilisation of other primary and secondary health care services, and patients’ satisfaction of received treatment. Results Patients gave positive feedback about the role of SAC in understanding their condition, ways to manage their ataxia (p < 0.001; UK) and delivering care adapted to their needs (p < 0.001; UK), in coordinating referrals to other healthcare specialists, and in offering opportunities to take part in research studies. Similar barriers for patients were identified in accessing the SACs among the selected countries, UK, Germany, and Italy. Conclusions This study provides crucial information about the ataxia patients care pathways in three European countries. Overall, the results showed a trend in patients’ satisfaction being better in SAC compared to non-SAC. The outcomes can be used now for policy recommendations on how to improve treatment and care for people with these very rare and complex neurological diseases across Europe. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:03:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e065d538ca3d4f04a022a5f8a436d69d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1750-1172 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:03:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-e065d538ca3d4f04a022a5f8a436d69d2023-11-20T10:53:43ZengBMCOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases1750-11722023-10-0118111010.1186/s13023-023-02907-yPatient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an exampleJulie Vallortigara0Julie Greenfield1Barry Hunt2Deborah Hoffman3Carola Reinhard4Holm Graessner5Antonio Federico6Vinciane Quoidbach7Steve Morris8Paola Giunti9Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square HouseAtaxia UKAtaxia UKTakeda PharmaceuticalsCentre for Rare Diseases and Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital TübingenCentre for Rare Diseases and Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital TübingenDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Medical School, University of Siena, Italy and European Academy of NeurologyEuropean Brain CouncilPrimary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of CambridgeAtaxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square HouseAbstract Background Progressive ataxias are rare and complex neurological disorders that represent a challenge for the clinicians to diagnose and manage them. This study explored the patient pathways of individuals attending specialist ataxia centres (SAC) compared with non–specialist settings. We investigated specifically how diagnosis was reached, the access to healthcare services, treatments, and care satisfaction. The focus of this study was on early intervention, coordination of treatment to understand the care provision in different countries. Methods A patient survey was done in the UK, Germany and Italy to gather information about diagnosis and management of the ataxias in specialist (SAC) and non-specialist settings, utilisation of other primary and secondary health care services, and patients’ satisfaction of received treatment. Results Patients gave positive feedback about the role of SAC in understanding their condition, ways to manage their ataxia (p < 0.001; UK) and delivering care adapted to their needs (p < 0.001; UK), in coordinating referrals to other healthcare specialists, and in offering opportunities to take part in research studies. Similar barriers for patients were identified in accessing the SACs among the selected countries, UK, Germany, and Italy. Conclusions This study provides crucial information about the ataxia patients care pathways in three European countries. Overall, the results showed a trend in patients’ satisfaction being better in SAC compared to non-SAC. The outcomes can be used now for policy recommendations on how to improve treatment and care for people with these very rare and complex neurological diseases across Europe.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-023-02907-yAtaxiaSpecialist centreCare pathwayPatient surveyRare diseases |
| spellingShingle | Julie Vallortigara Julie Greenfield Barry Hunt Deborah Hoffman Carola Reinhard Holm Graessner Antonio Federico Vinciane Quoidbach Steve Morris Paola Giunti Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Ataxia Specialist centre Care pathway Patient survey Rare diseases |
| title | Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example |
| title_full | Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example |
| title_fullStr | Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example |
| title_short | Patient pathways for rare diseases in Europe: ataxia as an example |
| title_sort | patient pathways for rare diseases in europe ataxia as an example |
| topic | Ataxia Specialist centre Care pathway Patient survey Rare diseases |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-023-02907-y |
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