OUTPATIENTS IN NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION

This paper discusses the experience of working within a multidisciplin ary neurological clinic in a regional rehabilitation centre. The numbe r and types of interventions are analysed which confirm the importance of having a wide range of rehabilitation professionals available in o r attached to such clinics. The implications of these findings are dis cussed with regard to the range of professionals required and the stud y has produced evidence that would support the establishment of certai n specific disability clinics, particularly spasticity, orthotic and m emory clinics. The need for specific disease-orientated clinics, parti cularly for multiple sclerosis and head injuries, is also discussed. A questionnaire was sent to all new attenders at the Newcastle clinic s eeking patient's views on the clinic format. There was general support for a multidisciplinary approach to outpatients and the majority of p eople felt that their needs had been properly addressed. However, a si gnificant minority felt intimidated by a large number of professionals seen simultaneously and felt that their full range of problems had no t been discussed. The patient's preference was for a drop-in clinic wh en they could attend without appointment to discuss a particular probl em with the relevant professional. The least popular format was to be seen simultaneously by a range of different rehabilitation professiona ls.