1. Optimizing referral of patients with neuromuscular disorders to allied health care.
- Author
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Pieterse, A. J., Cup, E. H. C., Akkermans, R. P., Hendricks, H. T., van Engelen, B. G. M., van der Wilt, G. J., and Oostendorp, R. A. B.
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NEUROMUSCULAR diseases , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *OCCUPATIONAL therapists , *PHYSICAL therapists , *SPEECH therapists , *THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Background and purpose: To report the predictive validity of the perceived limitations in activities and need questionnaire (PLAN-Q), a screening instrument to support neurologists to select patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) for referral for a one-off consultation by occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) and speech therapist (ST). Methods: In a cross-sectional validation study, 102 patients with various NMD participated. Patients received a one-off consultation by an expert OT, PT and ST and filled out the PLAN-Q. Therapists rated the appropriateness of the one-off consultations based on need, available treatment and patient’s motivation. Receiver Operation Characteristic analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to obtain a PLAN-Q based prediction model for the appropriateness of the one-off consultations. Results: Probability for a one-off OT consultation increased from 64% to 78% (95% CI: 69–85%). Prior test probability for a one-off ST consultation increased from 44% to 61% (95% CI: 48–73%). Prior test probability for one-off PT consultation could not be increased. Conclusion: Screening patients with NMD using the PLAN-Q may assist neurologists in selecting the appropriate patients for a one-off consultation by OT and ST. Unlike our expectations the screening did not guide referral for a one-off consultation by PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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