Maria Khan1, Abubaker Al Madani2, Samah Habboush3, Manal Abdulla4, Ayesha K Al Basti5, Mary Jane Villanueva6, Peter J Goadsby7, Yasmine Kamal8. 1. Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: mjunaidi@dha.gov.ae. 2. Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: aasalmadani@dha.gov.ae. 3. Al Barsha Health Center, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: SHabboush@dha.gov.ae. 4. Nad Al Hamar Health Center, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: ManAAbdulla@dha.gov.ae. 5. Nad Al Hamar Health Center, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: ALAlBasti@dha.gov.ae. 6. Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: MJVillanueva@dha.gov.ae. 7. NIHR-Wellcome Trust King's Clinical Research Facility, SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, UK & Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA USA. Electronic address: peter.goadsby@kcl.ac.uk. 8. Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Electronic address: YMMohamed@dha.gov.ae.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Primary headache disorders pose a huge burden to health systems around the world. A new model for headache care was introduced at two primary health centers (PHCs) in Dubai, UAE. Our objective is to describe the model, and the impact it had on increasing the number of patients receiving specialist care as well as on patient's response and satisfaction level. METHODS: The model consisted of a weekly multi-disciplinary headache clinic with a neurologist, a general physician, a psychologist and a nurse, at each of the two PHCs. Patients were referred from all PHCs in Dubai. Follow up visits were either with the general physician or through tele-headache with the neurologist. We used the HURT questionnaire to evaluate the headache for each patient at baseline and then again at follow up. Information on patient satisfaction was also collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The model proved to be effective in terms of increase in the number of headache patients receiving specialist care. Using HURT questionnaire, improvement was seen in good control and in the sense of control over headache, and in risk of medication overuse between baseline and follow up visits. Patient satisfaction with various aspects of headache care was 80-90% after the first visit and improved further at follow up. CONCLUSION: Our multi-disciplinary headache model improved the access of patients to neurologists, and resulted in improved headache control and patient satisfaction levels. Other countries can adopt such models to improve headache care for their patients.
INTRODUCTION: Primary headache disorders pose a huge burden to health systems around the world. A new model for headache care was introduced at two primary health centers (PHCs) in Dubai, UAE. Our objective is to describe the model, and the impact it had on increasing the number of patients receiving specialist care as well as on patient's response and satisfaction level. METHODS: The model consisted of a weekly multi-disciplinary headache clinic with a neurologist, a general physician, a psychologist and a nurse, at each of the two PHCs. Patients were referred from all PHCs in Dubai. Follow up visits were either with the general physician or through tele-headache with the neurologist. We used the HURT questionnaire to evaluate the headache for each patient at baseline and then again at follow up. Information on patient satisfaction was also collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The model proved to be effective in terms of increase in the number of headache patients receiving specialist care. Using HURT questionnaire, improvement was seen in good control and in the sense of control over headache, and in risk of medication overuse between baseline and follow up visits. Patient satisfaction with various aspects of headache care was 80-90% after the first visit and improved further at follow up. CONCLUSION: Our multi-disciplinary headache model improved the access of patients to neurologists, and resulted in improved headache control and patient satisfaction levels. Other countries can adopt such models to improve headache care for their patients.