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.

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.

[Shared Medical Appointments: experiences of patients and care givers].

Objective: To examine the characteristics of patients participating in a shared medical appointment (SMA); to what extent SMAs fulfil patients' needs; to evaluate if patients are better informed after an SMA and how they evaluate meeting other patients at an SMA, and how health professionals experience SMAs.

Design: Descriptive.

Method: Fourteen multidisciplinary teams participated in the study.