Cost-effectiveness of shared medical appointments for neuromuscular patients.

Objective: To assess whether shared medical appointments (SMAs) for neuromuscular patients represent a way of using clinicians' time efficiently without compromising quality of care for patients.

Methods: Patients with a chronic neuromuscular disease (NMD) (n = 272) were randomly allocated to either an SMA or a regular individual annual appointment and followed up for a period of 6 months. Data on resource utilization and quality of life (EQ-5D) were collected prospectively, using a health care perspective.

The individualized neuromuscular quality of life questionnaire: cultural translation and psychometric validation for the Dutch population.

Introduction: In this study we describe the translation and psychometric evaluation of the Dutch Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life (INQoL) questionnaire.

Methods: Backward and forward translation of the questionnaire was executed, and psychometric properties were assessed on the basis of reliability and validity.

Results: Two hundred six patients were included in the study.

Shared medical appointments improve QOL in neuromuscular patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To systematically study the effects of shared medical appointments (SMAs) compared with individual appointments for patients with a chronic neuromuscular disorder and their partners.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial with a follow-up of 6 months, we included patients with a chronic neuromuscular disorder and their partners. Participants were randomly allocated to an SMA or an individual outpatient appointment.

The group medical appointment (GMA) in haemophilia and von Willebrand's disease: a new development in outpatient paediatric care.

The Group Medical Appointment (GMA) is a novel consultation form in which patients undergo individual consultations in each other's presence. To compare participants' experiences with GMA and Individual Medical Appointments (IMA), the usual standard of care, our team recently implemented the GMA for children aged 0-18 years with haemophilia or von Willebrand's disease. Participants' experiences with GMA were measured using a standardized QUOTE-questionnaire.

Effects of shared medical appointments on quality of life and cost-effectiveness for patients with a chronic neuromuscular disease. Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Shared medical appointments are a series of one-to-one doctor-patient contacts, in presence of a group of 6-10 fellow patients. This group visits substitute the annual control visits of patients with the neurologist. The same items attended to in a one-to-one appointment are addressed.