Improving Multidisciplinary Care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients in Spain

Neurologist Juan Francisco Vazquez from Hospital La Fe is calling for a single act of treatment by multiple specialists for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in Spain. He points out that the majority of ALS units in Spain currently lack this type of specialized care. In Europe, specialized ALS centers known as NeMo have successfully provided multidisciplinary care for patients. However, these facilities are not yet implemented in Spanish territory. Vazquez emphasizes the need for a change in the ALS treatment approach, where patients receive care from different specialties and are dependent on hierarchically different heads of service. He is working on preparing a report with the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) to reflect the reality of many centers and patients in Spain and to advocate for a change in the ALS treatment approach. He stresses the importance of patient-centered medicine and creating physical spaces for multidisciplinary care for ALS patients. With a recent investment of 50 million euros for the improvement of health care for people with ALS, Vazquez hopes that a part of this funding will be dedicated to creating these necessary spaces for ALS patients. In the Valencian Community, efforts are being made to create these physical spaces to provide authentic multidisciplinary care for ALS patients.