Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care in Saudi Arabia: A survey of providers' perceptions. Issue 10 (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abuzinadah, Ahmad R.; AlShareef, Aysha A.; AlKutbi, Abdullah; Bamaga, Ahmed K.; Alshehri, Ali; Algahtani, Hussein; Cupler, Edward; Alanazy, Mohammed H.
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 10:Issue 10(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- care -- multidisciplinary -- Saudi Arabia; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Provision of care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is complex and requires the contribution of multiple healthcare professionals. Several international ALS care measures were developed to ensure optimal care for ALS patients. We looked at the rate of inconsistency in providing standard ALS care measures in Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods: A 5‐point response survey was distributed to practicing neurologists in SA. They were asked to grade their perceived consistency of accessibility for 19 items of ALS care measures at their center. The list of ALS care measures items was derived from international ALS guidelines. Results: The response rate from neurologists was 47.3% (62/131), and the responses of 39 neurologists who follow ALS cases were included. Most of the selected ALS care measure items, 63.1% (12/19), were perceived by 50% or more of the ALS care providers to be not consistently accessible to their patients. The perception of ALS care providers of the inconsistent accessibility for ALS patients to ALS care measures was high for communication devices (92.3%), supportive equipment such as motorized wheelchairs (76.9%), end‐of‐life discussion (74.4%), and respiratory monitoring (66.7%). Conclusion: Our data show that ALS patients in SA do not have consistent access to the recommended ALS care measures. Abstract : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that requires a coordinated health care measures in order to improve patient's survival and quality of life as well as to reduce caregiver burn out. We conducted a survey for ALS care providers and we found that there is a low accessibility rate to standard ALS care measures that were recommended per international guidelines.