Related Experiment Videos
Evaluation of a MS specialist nurse programme
Angus Forbes1, Alison While, Lucia Mathes
1King's College London, The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, Research in Primary and Intermediate Care Section, James Clerk Maxwell Building, London, UK. angus.forbes@kcl.ac.uk
International Journal of Nursing Studies
|January 18, 2006
Summary
Specialist nurses improved healthcare for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, increasing contact availability and reducing pressure ulcers. However, no significant improvements were seen in overall health or quality of life, with some physical function decline noted.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nursing
- Public Health
Background:
- Specialist nurses are increasingly utilized to enhance healthcare delivery for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- This study evaluates the impact of introducing MS specialist nurses within neurological services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of a program of MS specialist nurses on healthcare provision for MS patients.
- To assess the impact on the health and well-being of people with MS.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design was employed, comparing an intervention group with new MS nurse posts to a control group.
- Data were collected prospectively at baseline, 12, and 24 months via postal questionnaires from 616 participants across six neurological services in England.
- Analysis included repeated measures for process variables and ANCOVA for outcome measures, assessing care processes, quality of life (SF36), and disease impact.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed higher information provision and significantly increased availability of a contact person (83% vs. 44%).
- A significant reduction in pressure ulcer incidence (17%) was observed in intervention sites compared to controls (3%).
- A small but significant worsening in physical and symptom scales of the SF36 was noted in the intervention group, potentially due to selection bias.
Conclusions:
- The MS specialist nurse program positively impacted healthcare provision, particularly in terms of accessibility and specific complication management.
- Limited evidence suggests improvements in overall disease impact or quality of life, with some physical outcome deterioration possibly linked to patient selection.
- Future research should focus on specific nursing interventions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with MS.