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01-04-2017 | Original Communication

Experience matters: neurologists’ perspectives on ALS patients’ well-being

Authors: Helena E. A. Aho-Özhan, Sarah Böhm, Jürgen Keller, Johannes Dorst, Ingo Uttner, Albert C. Ludolph, Dorothée Lulé

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 4/2017

Abstract

Despite the fatal outcome and progressive loss of physical functioning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), many patients maintain contentment in life. It has been shown that non-professionals tend to underestimate the well-being of patients with ALS, but professionals’ perspective is yet to be studied. In total, 105 neurologists with varying degrees of experience with ALS were included in an anonymous survey. They were asked to estimate the quality of life and depressiveness of ALS patients with artificial ventilation and nutrition. Physicians’ estimations were compared with previously reported subjective ratings of ALS patients with life-prolonging measures. Neurologists with significant experience on ALS and palliative care were able to accurately estimate depressiveness and quality of life of ALS patients with life-prolonging measures. Less experienced neurologists’ estimation differed more from patients’ reports. Of all life-prolonging measures neurologists regarded invasive ventilation as the measure associated with lowest quality of life and highest depressiveness of the patients. Experienced neurologists as well as neurologists with experience in palliative care are able to better empathize with patients with a fatal illness such as ALS and support important decision processes.

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Title: Experience matters: neurologists’ perspectives on ALS patients’ well-being
Authors: Helena E. A. Aho-Özhan
Sarah Böhm
Jürgen Keller
Johannes Dorst
Ingo Uttner
Albert C. Ludolph
Dorothée Lulé
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-016-8382-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Experience matters: neurologists’ perspectives on ALS patients’ well-being

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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