What are the current care pathways for service users with parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis? How can these pathways be improved to deliver a better quality of care?
Kayleigh Bowen (2008)
Brighton & Sussex Medical School.
Background
The project involved research existing care pathways for service users with neurological degenerative conditions. Observation of these current pathways from many different perspective and highlighting possible problems which when altered would result in a better quality of care being delivered.
Method
Case studies of six service users were carried out which included speaking with the service users and their families, looking at their medical notes. Attending a neurology clinic, discussions with the GP, nurse specialists, observing physiotherapy sessions and research support groups available to the service users. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to staff and relatives of the service users with the aim of establishing opinions and concerns on the care being provided. Information from case analysis and the questionnaire was collected with literature evidence to identify what improvements could be made to care pathways to deliver an improved quality of care.
Conclusion
Improvements to the current care pathways will results in better care being delivered to the clients with neurological conditions. By increasing the quality of care, quality of life with subsequent improvement to the wellbeing of the person suffering from an ongoing terminal condition.........
