An interdisciplinary integrated specialized one-stop outpatient clinic for idiopathic intracranial hypertension – a comprehensive assessment of patient satisfaction

Abstract

Background Management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is complex requiring contributions from multiple specialized disciplines. In practice, this creates considerable organizational and communicational challenges. To meet those challenges, we established an interdisciplinary integrated outpatient clinic for IIH with a central coordination and a one-stop concept. Here, we aimed to evaluate effects of this one-stop concept on subjective patient satisfaction and economic outcome in patients with IIH. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, we compared the one-stop era with integrated care (IC, 1-JUL-2021 to 31-DEC-2022) to a reference group receiving standard care (SC, 1-JUL-2018 to 31-DEC-2019) regarding subjective patient satisfaction (assessed by the Vienna Patient Inventory). Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders. Results Baseline characteristics of the IC group (n = 85) and SC group (n = 81) were comparable (female: 90.6% vs. 90.1%; mean age: 33.6 vs. 32.8 years, educational level: ≥9 years of education 60.0% vs. 59.3%; located in Vienna 75.3% vs. 76.5%). Compared to SC, management within IC concept was associated with significantly higher subjective patient satisfaction with the strongest effects observed in satisfaction with treatment accessibility and availability (beta = 2.05; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses of patients with migration background and language barrier consistently indicated stronger effects of IC in these groups. Conclusions Interdisciplinary integrated management of IIH significantly improves patient satisfaction – particularly in socioeconomically underprivileged patient groups.