Development and Evaluation of a New Palliative Care Service for People
Proposal to Create a Flagship Neurology and Palliative Care Service for South London
What it found
A paper reports the results; we have not read it yet. See Papers below.
What was tested
Treatment tested
- Palliative care service
What it measured
Main measures
Palliative Care Outcome Scale - Symptoms
12 weeks
Other measures (7)
Self-reported quality of life
12 weeks
Quality of life (reported by participants)Impact of MS
12 weeks
Psychosocial palliative care outcomes
12 weeks
use of health and social services
12 weeks
Experience of hospital services
12 weeks
Carer burden and satisfaction
12 weeks
Quality of life (reported by participants)Costs (formal and informal)
12 weeks
Who could take part
MS (type not specified)
Show the full criteria
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of MS * Living in South East London * Having possible palliative care needs. Referrers were encouraged to identify people as severely affected with MS based on their clinical need, rather than relying on any standardised measures of disability. However, since a large Canadian population study identified that approximately 15% of people with MS have an Expanded Disability Scale Score of 8 or more (out of a possible 10)23, this was also suggested to referrers as a benchmark for disability that would prompt consideration of referral. Examples of palliative care needs were given as unresolved symptoms, psychosocial concerns, and end of life issues, progressive illness or complex needs.
Exclusion criteria
* patients deemed as having urgent needs (following independent review by a consultant in palliative medicine) because of rapid deterioration or severe symptoms - these were seen immediately by the service.
As registered. Criteria can change, so ask the trial team or your neurologist.
About this trial
In the sponsor's words
The primary purpose of this study is to develop, implement and conduct a preliminary evaluation of a new service for people who are severely affected by multiple sclerosis. The investigators conducted open interviews with patients, families and staff, plus a literature review to model and pilot this new service. Then the investigators developed, tested and ran the service and will evaluate it using a randomised controlled trial, where people affected by MS are randomised to either receive the service immediately (fast track group) or after a three month wait (standard best practice). This methodology follows that of the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for the development and evaluation of complex services and treatments. The investigators interview people and their carers in the fast track and standard practice groups, and followed them over time. This phase of trial enables us to calculate sample size and test proof of concept for a full randomised trial. However, our working hypothesis was that there would be no difference between those people who received the fast track service or the standard best practice in terms of symptom controlled, and carer needs.
Papers
Results
Higginson IJ, Hart S, Burman R, Silber E, Saleem T, Edmonds P. Randomised controlled trial of a new palliative care service: Compliance, recruitment and completeness of follow-up. BMC Palliat Care. 2008 May 28;7:7. doi: 10.1186/1472-684X-7-7.Results
Higginson IJ, Hart S, Silber E, Burman R, Edmonds P. Symptom prevalence and severity in people severely affected by multiple sclerosis. J Palliat Care. 2006 Autumn;22(3):158-65.Results
Higginson IJ, Costantini M, Silber E, Burman R, Edmonds P. Evaluation of a new model of short-term palliative care for people severely affected with multiple sclerosis: a randomised fast-track trial to test timing of referral and how long the effect is maintained. Postgrad Med J. 2011 Nov;87(1033):769-75. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2011-130290. Epub 2011 Oct 6.Results
Higginson IJ, McCrone P, Hart SR, Burman R, Silber E, Edmonds PM. Is short-term palliative care cost-effective in multiple sclerosis? A randomized phase II trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Dec;38(6):816-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.07.002.Background
Gruenewald DA, Higginson IJ, Vivat B, Edmonds P, Burman RE. Quality of life measures for the palliative care of people severely affected by multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Mult Scler. 2004 Dec;10(6):690-704. doi: 10.1191/1352458504ms1116rr.Background
Edmonds P, Vivat B, Burman R, Silber E, Higginson IJ. 'Fighting for everything': service experiences of people severely affected by multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2007 Jun;13(5):660-7. doi: 10.1177/1352458506071789. Epub 2007 Feb 9.Background
Edmonds P, Vivat B, Burman R, Silber E, Higginson IJ. Loss and change: experiences of people severely affected by multiple sclerosis. Palliat Med. 2007 Mar;21(2):101-7. doi: 10.1177/0269216307076333.Background
Higginson IJ, Vivat B, Silber E, Saleem T, Burman R, Hart S, Edmonds P. Study protocol: delayed intervention randomised controlled trial within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework to assess the effectiveness of a new palliative care service. BMC Palliat Care. 2006 Oct 2;5:7. doi: 10.1186/1472-684X-5-7.
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History
Started
Mar 2004
Finished
Dec 2006