Introduction
Traverse, previously known as Office for Public Management (OPM) was commissioned by the MND Association in 2014 to research and identify different models of care for people with MND to be used to develop a clear vision for planning, commissioning and delivering high quality multidisciplinary services for people with MND. The aim of this work was to equip the Association to provide clear influencing messages to audiences at all levels, in order to secure progress towards well-understood and well-evidenced models of care for people with MND. Methodology
Methodology
The project utilised a variety of research methods including:
- A light touch document review to map out what is currently known about models of MND care;
- An online call for evidence sent out to MND Care Centres and Care Networks, and general health and social care professionals involved in delivering care for people with MND;
- Telephone interviews with identified health and social care professionals to explore further some of the issues and findings that were identified from the call for evidence
- Development of 6 case studies following the interviews and call for evidence, to focus on a variety of different models of care across England and Wales. The case studies involved including focus groups, interviews, telephone interviews and informal face-to-face interviews with patients and carers.
The project explored and identified the types of models of care that currently exist for people with MND, and the benefits, outcomes, challenges, and views from those delivering and receiving services. Specifically, this project explored:
- The nature of existing models of MND care - who is involved (e.g. NHS, social services, carers), what the settings are (e.g. community vs hospital clinics), and what role each plays;
- How care is coordinated, and how health, social care and other services are working together and integrated (e.g. multidisciplinary teams, sharing information between services)
- What works well and what are the benefits of different models of care
- Issues for people with MND with existing models of care, and what could be improved.
Impact
This research identified a number of aspects and factors that contribute to an effective model of care for MND, such as the important of multidisciplinary teams, MND-specific clinics, support in the community, and specialist care coordinators or MND nurses.
