title: Correlations in health status between estimates of families of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and estimates of staff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare self-estimates of the physical, psychological, and general well-being of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their next of kin with the assessment of the nurses and physician of these participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The well-being of 35 pairs of patients and their next of kin was rated by themselves, and by a physician and nurses. The well-being was examined over time, using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients' physical function was estimated at the same time with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised and the Norris scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlations between the staff's estimates of the well-being of patients and next of kin were similar to their own estimates, even though staff to a higher degree estimated a decrease in well-being over time among the patients. The estimates by the nurses correlated better to that of the patients and next of kin in psychological and general well-being than the physicians' estimates did.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though the staff's estimates of participants were roughly equivalent to their self-estimates, there were some differences. This result calls attention to the importance of working in teams in which different professional roles are combined and integrated, making it possible to form a holistic view of the situation of each family. A concern overlooked by one member of staff might be covered by another, and different focuses on the family may give a better composite picture of their life situation, which could lead to better support to the family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. anneli.ozanne@gu.se
authors.forename: Anneli G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ozanne
authors.forename: Lennart I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires