GPs in England say they lack confidence in initially assessing and referring people with neurological symptoms, especially those with multiple sclerosis, and believe they could benefit from better training in identifying and managing neurological patients.
According to a report published by the Neurological Alliance a majority of patients now wait more than a year between the time they begin noticing symptoms and the time they first see a specialist. Because most neurological conditions are progressive and early treatment is critical to reducing disease progression and severity, such delays in accessing secondary care can have strong consequences for the patients.
In this new report, researchers focused on the perspective of GPs regarding problems in the assessment and management of people with neurological signs and symptoms.
The team found that although the vast majority (94 per cent) of GPs are “somewhat confident” or “extremely confident” in assessing and referring potential diabetics, that confidence declines considerably for patients with neurological conditions. Only 81 per cent expressed confidence in making an initial assessment and referral for epilepsy, 73 per cent for Parkinson’s disease, and 47 per cent for multiple sclerosis.
In addition, 85 per cent of GPs in England were either “somewhat concerned” or “extremely concerned” about the time it took for a potential neurological patient to be examined by a neurologist. More than half (almost 60 per cent) also felt that local services and systems in their area were not sufficient for patients to receive a timely diagnosis.
A vast majority of GPs, 84 per cent, also felt they could benefit from further training in identifying and managing people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or other neurological conditions.
The report includes nine recommendations to strengthen GP experience and confidence during initial visits from these patients. These include a call for the development of a pan-neurological “watch list,” identifying the 10 common signs and symptoms that GPs need be aware of during patient interactions in primary care settings, and a call to increase the number of local neurologists who receive referrals from primary care, as well as their capacity and resources.
“It is essential that NHS [National Health Service] England and the Department of Health respond to these findings and engage with the concerns of GPs and people living with neurological conditions,” Arlene Wilkie, CEO of the Neurological Alliance, said in a press release. “Without an effective pathway through primary care, patients will continue to suffer the consequences of undue delays to referral, diagnosis and treatment, and outcomes will continue to suffer.”
Source: Multiple Sclerosis News Today © Copyright 2014 - 2016 BioNews Services, LLC (23/08/16)
According to a report published by the Neurological Alliance a majority of patients now wait more than a year between the time they begin noticing symptoms and the time they first see a specialist. Because most neurological conditions are progressive and early treatment is critical to reducing disease progression and severity, such delays in accessing secondary care can have strong consequences for the patients.
In this new report, researchers focused on the perspective of GPs regarding problems in the assessment and management of people with neurological signs and symptoms.
The team found that although the vast majority (94 per cent) of GPs are “somewhat confident” or “extremely confident” in assessing and referring potential diabetics, that confidence declines considerably for patients with neurological conditions. Only 81 per cent expressed confidence in making an initial assessment and referral for epilepsy, 73 per cent for Parkinson’s disease, and 47 per cent for multiple sclerosis.
In addition, 85 per cent of GPs in England were either “somewhat concerned” or “extremely concerned” about the time it took for a potential neurological patient to be examined by a neurologist. More than half (almost 60 per cent) also felt that local services and systems in their area were not sufficient for patients to receive a timely diagnosis.
A vast majority of GPs, 84 per cent, also felt they could benefit from further training in identifying and managing people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or other neurological conditions.
The report includes nine recommendations to strengthen GP experience and confidence during initial visits from these patients. These include a call for the development of a pan-neurological “watch list,” identifying the 10 common signs and symptoms that GPs need be aware of during patient interactions in primary care settings, and a call to increase the number of local neurologists who receive referrals from primary care, as well as their capacity and resources.
“It is essential that NHS [National Health Service] England and the Department of Health respond to these findings and engage with the concerns of GPs and people living with neurological conditions,” Arlene Wilkie, CEO of the Neurological Alliance, said in a press release. “Without an effective pathway through primary care, patients will continue to suffer the consequences of undue delays to referral, diagnosis and treatment, and outcomes will continue to suffer.”
Source: Multiple Sclerosis News Today © Copyright 2014 - 2016 BioNews Services, LLC (23/08/16)
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