Evaluation of an implemented integrated multidisciplinary clinic for people living with motor neurone disease on the Central Coast

Introduction: Person-centred care (PCC), integrated care and access to specialised motor neurone disease (MND) multidisciplinary clinics (MDC) are optimal approaches to the delivery of quality service for people living with MND (plwMND) for improved quality of life, health outcomes and care experiences.
Aim: To evaluate an innovative specialist MND MDC implemented on the Central Coast, NSW, to address the unmet need for coordinated and connected PCC across health, disability, and aged care sectors, and research opportunities.
Methods: The mixed method convergent design one-year study prioritises qualitative and quantitative data equally to explore the implementation, role, impact, and effectiveness of the clinic. Semi-structured interviews, commencing February 2022, will be conducted with people living with MND (n=8), family members (n=4), and MND MDC health care professionals (n=8) providing clinical expertise. A survey, will be distributed to health and social care providers (n=20), having referred to and received communication from the MND MDC.
Thematic and descriptive statistical analyses will be conducted, and individual barriers and facilitators of the MND MDC will be mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. The RE-AIM framework and Logic Model will assist evaluate the implementation, and provide a roadmap to understanding relationships between resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the clinic activities.
Results: Preliminary data on the development and practice of the MND MDC, and implementation evaluation will be presented.
Conclusion: This research will inform the role and future development of regional MND MDCs to foster collaborative, integrated and person-centred care practices for all people living with MND.