How Do Neurologists Perceive the Organization and Functioning of Care in Their Multiple Sclerosis Units?
Author(s)
Lamberto Landete, MD, PhD1, ROCIO GOMEZ BALLESTEROS, MSc2, Virginia Meca-Lallana, MD, PhD3, Ana B. Caminero, MD, PhD4, Jose E. Meca-Lallana, MD, PhD5, Sergio Martínez-Yélamos, MD, PhD6, Jose M. García-Domínguez, MD, PhD7, Eduardo Agüera, MD, PhD8, Maria Elena García Arcelay, PharmD2, NICOLAS MEDRANO CASIQUE, MD2, Luisa M. Villar, MD, PhD9, Enric Monreal, MD, PhD10, Jorge Maurino, MD2.
1Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain, 2Medical Department, Roche Farma SA, Madrid, Spain, 3Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain, 4Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial de Ávila, Ávila, Spain, 5Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain, 6Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain, 7Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain, 8Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain, 9Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, 10Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
1Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain, 2Medical Department, Roche Farma SA, Madrid, Spain, 3Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain, 4Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial de Ávila, Ávila, Spain, 5Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain, 6Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain, 7Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain, 8Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain, 9Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, 10Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
OBJECTIVES: Efficient organization and coordination are critical for high-quality care in multiple sclerosis (MS) units. Deficiencies in care delivery can impact both patient outcomes and neurologists' well-being. This study evaluated neurologists’ perceptions of the organization and functioning of MS care in their institutions.
METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among neurologists managing MS patients. The Spanish Society of Neurology invited participants via email to complete an e-survey assessing demographic and professional background, behavioral traits, and workplace characteristics. The Care Process Self-Assessment Tool (CPSET) assessed patient-centered care across five subscales: organization, coordination, primary care collaboration, communication with patients/families, and follow-up. Scores below the 40th percentile (ranging from 1 to 10) indicated a need for improvement. The associations between CPSET scores and workplace outcomes, including occupational burnout, were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: A total of 116 neurologists were studied (mean age 41.9 years [SD 10.1], 53.4% male). The majority (96.6%) were neurologists based in academic hospitals, with a mean of 12.6 years (SD 8.1) of experience in MS care, managing a median of 16 patients per week (IQR 10.0-25.0). Open workplace communication was reported by 67.2% of participants, while 28.4% acknowledged burnout. The mean CPSET overall score was 6.2 (SD 1.5). Nearly 40% of neurologists (n=46) perceived MS care in their units as suboptimal. According to CPSET scores, the most critical areas for improvement were collaboration with primary care and follow-up of the care process, with mean subscale scores of 4.9 (SD 2.0) and 5.8 (SD 1.8), respectively. Lower CPSET scores correlated with higher burnout prevalence (r=-0.20, 95%CI -0.37, -0.01; p=0.035).
CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists identified gaps in MS care, particularly in primary care collaboration and patient follow-up. Poorer patient-centered care organization was associated with higher burnout. Enhancing care coordination may optimize care delivery and benefit both clinicians and patients.
METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among neurologists managing MS patients. The Spanish Society of Neurology invited participants via email to complete an e-survey assessing demographic and professional background, behavioral traits, and workplace characteristics. The Care Process Self-Assessment Tool (CPSET) assessed patient-centered care across five subscales: organization, coordination, primary care collaboration, communication with patients/families, and follow-up. Scores below the 40th percentile (ranging from 1 to 10) indicated a need for improvement. The associations between CPSET scores and workplace outcomes, including occupational burnout, were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: A total of 116 neurologists were studied (mean age 41.9 years [SD 10.1], 53.4% male). The majority (96.6%) were neurologists based in academic hospitals, with a mean of 12.6 years (SD 8.1) of experience in MS care, managing a median of 16 patients per week (IQR 10.0-25.0). Open workplace communication was reported by 67.2% of participants, while 28.4% acknowledged burnout. The mean CPSET overall score was 6.2 (SD 1.5). Nearly 40% of neurologists (n=46) perceived MS care in their units as suboptimal. According to CPSET scores, the most critical areas for improvement were collaboration with primary care and follow-up of the care process, with mean subscale scores of 4.9 (SD 2.0) and 5.8 (SD 1.8), respectively. Lower CPSET scores correlated with higher burnout prevalence (r=-0.20, 95%CI -0.37, -0.01; p=0.035).
CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists identified gaps in MS care, particularly in primary care collaboration and patient follow-up. Poorer patient-centered care organization was associated with higher burnout. Enhancing care coordination may optimize care delivery and benefit both clinicians and patients.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HSD58
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
Neurological Disorders