Halpern Michael T, Teixeira-Poit Stephanie M, Kane Heather, Frost Corey, Keating Michael, Olmsted Murrey
RTI International, 701 13th Street NW No. 750, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road,Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, USA.
Mult Scler Int. 2014;2014:624790. doi: 10.1155/2014/624790. Epub 2014 Apr 24.
Neurologists are central to providing quality care for individuals with MS. However, neurologist shortages may restrict access to care for MS patients. To examine factors influencing neurologists' provision of MS care, we surveyed 1,700 US neurologists to assess demographic/practice characteristics, training, and attitudes toward MS care. The study population consisted of 573 respondents: 87 (15.2%) MS subspecialists and 486 (84.8%) "other neurologists," including subspecialists in other neurology areas (i.e., non-MS) and general neurologists. MS subspecialists indicating they "enjoy interacting with MS patients" had a significantly greater rate of MS patients seen per week. In separate analyses of the "other neurologists" group, the rate of MS patients seen was lower among neurologists in university-based groups or those practicing in major cities; female neurologists; and neurologists who indicated lack of sufficient knowledge regarding MS patient care. Rates of MS patients seen were significantly greater for other neurologists who agreed that MS care involved "ability to improve patient outcomes and quality of life"; "dynamic area with evolving treatment options"; and "enjoy interacting with MS patients." Understanding factors influencing MS patient care by neurologists and developing policies for appropriate access to care is critical for optimal outcomes among this population.
神经科医生对于为多发性硬化症（MS）患者提供优质护理至关重要。然而，神经科医生短缺可能会限制MS患者获得护理的机会。为了研究影响神经科医生提供MS护理的因素，我们对1700名美国神经科医生进行了调查，以评估其人口统计学/执业特征、培训情况以及对MS护理的态度。研究人群包括573名受访者：87名（15.2%）MS亚专科医生和486名（84.8%）“其他神经科医生”，后者包括其他神经学领域（即非MS领域）的亚专科医生和普通神经科医生。表示“喜欢与MS患者互动”的MS亚专科医生每周看诊的MS患者比例显著更高。在对“其他神经科医生”组的单独分析中，在大学附属医院工作的神经科医生、在大城市执业的神经科医生、女性神经科医生以及表示对MS患者护理缺乏足够知识的神经科医生，其看诊的MS患者比例较低。对于认同MS护理涉及“改善患者预后和生活质量的能力”、“治疗选择不断发展的活跃领域”以及“喜欢与MS患者互动”的其他神经科医生，其看诊的MS患者比例显著更高。了解影响神经科医生进行MS患者护理的因素并制定适当的护理获取政策，对于该人群实现最佳治疗效果至关重要。
