Date/Location:

January 4 – February 15, 2021

Description:

Multidisciplinary clinics for patients with ALS have shown to improve quality of life and extend patient life (Hodgen, A., Foley, G. Henderson, R. D., James, N., & Aoun, S. M., 2017); however, Horton et al. (2018) found that almost half of all patients living with ALS live more than 50 miles from the nearest multidisciplinary clinic. This barrier to care can have a significant impact on access to care, survivability, and end of life decisions (Horton, 2018). To assist patients living with ALS in West Virginia and surrounding Kentucky and Ohio areas, Marshall University in collaboration with Cabell Huntington Hospital and Marshall Health created a Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic for patients in Huntington, WV.

Unlike large health care entities, many locations in rural America do not have the funds, staffing or expertise to support an ALS Clinic. To achieve a clinic, Marshall University chose to collaborate between health care systems to provide appropriate services. For example, the physical location of the clinic is housed at the University, the neurologist is employed through Marshall Health, and the physical therapist is employed by Cabell Huntington Hospital. The collaboration between entities decreased the cost and responsibility of any one local health care system. This presentation focuses on the collaboration of health care facilities in rural America to identify the resources needed to start an ALS Clinic.

Speakers:

Sarah Clemins, MS

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will identify 3 challenges facing patients living with ALS in rural America.

Participants will identify 3 benefits to starting a rural multidisciplinary ALS clinic.

Participants will discuss potential collaboration efforts in their town to improve care for patients living with ALS.

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CEUs This activity is offered for up to 0.1 CEUs (1.0 hour of instruction). To register for CEUs:  

Download and complete the following forms.

Save the files names: 2021_ALSA3_Lastname_Firstname

Send both files to ceus@aacinstitute.org

Upon completion of the two forms and passing the quiz, a CEU certificate will be sent

Note: If any difficulty is encountered in using this form, write to ceus@aacinstitute.org to request an alternative file format.