Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects approximately 5,000 people every year, with an average life expectancy of 2-5 years. Studies show that a team-based approach, delivered through multidisciplinary care, may improve quality of life (QOL) and increase survival time. This quality improvement project will use a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary care on patients’ perceptions of QOL, disease management, and functional health status compared to receiving general neurology care. Participants will be recruited through a local ALS care organization and a local hospital-based neurology clinic. Semi-structured open-ended interviews will be performed to better understand the patient’s perception of their disease management and the impact that disease progression and treatment have on their QOL. Patients will also be asked to complete the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) to evaluate disease progression and functional ability. The project will take place over 18 months, with assessments administered at one month, six months, twelve months, and eighteen months. Projected outcomes include patient-reported improvement in QOL and improved scores on the ALSFRS-R. Evidence demonstrating the benefits of multidisciplinary care allows advanced practice nurses to advocate for improved programs, policies, and funding to increase access to care, promote research, and improve standards of care.
