Optimizing referral of patients with neuromuscular disorders to allied health care

To report the predictive validity of the perceived limitations in activities and need questionnaire (PLAN-Q), a screening instrument to support neurologists to select patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) for referral for a one-off consultation by occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) and speech therapist (ST). In a cross-sectional validation study, 102 patients with various NMD participated. Patients received a one-off consultation by an expert OT, PT and ST and filled out the PLAN-Q. Therapists rated the appropriateness of the one-off consultations based on need, available treatment and patient's motivation. Receiver Operation Characteristic analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to obtain a PLAN-Q based prediction model for the appropriateness of the one-off consultations. Probability for a one-off OT consultation increased from 64% to 78% (95% CI: 69-85%). Prior test probability for a one-off ST consultation increased from 44% to 61% (95% CI: 48-73%). Prior test probability for one-off PT consultation could not be increased. Screening patients with NMD using the PLAN-Q may assist neurologists in selecting the appropriate patients for a one-off consultation by OT and ST. Unlike our expectations the screening did not guide referral for a one-off consultation by PT.