This DBS patient referral advisor application was developed to simplify and clarify the identification of Parkinsons disease patients who may be appropriate for referral to a specialized DBS center/implanter for further evaluation.
The recommendations reflect the opinions of a panel of leading neurologists, all with considerable experience in the field of movement disorders and DBS Therapy.
Using the RAND Appropriateness Method, the experts defined 7 clinical variables considered relevant in clinical practice when screening a patient for DBS. Combining the values of these variables resulted in 972 distinct patient profiles. Each expert rated the appropriateness of referral for each patient profile using a 9-point scale. Based on the median panel score and the extent of agreement between experts, appropriateness statements (appropriate, inappropriate, uncertain) were calculated for each of the profiles.
The panel study was coordinated by the Centre for Decision Analysis and Support (CeDAS) from lsmar Healthcare (Lier, Belgium).
DISCLAIMER: This application is the copyrighted property of Medtronic. It has been approved by Medtronic only for use with the appropriate Medtronic products. Please contact Medtronic if you wish to use this application for any other purpose. www.medtronic.com