In “the impact of a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to management of patients diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity on health care utilization costs: an observational study” Fox et all (2007) of Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre, Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada. set out to look at the impact of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) through studying a cohort at the Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre (NSEHC; Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada).A total of 563 patients were linked to their medical insurance records. For confidentiality the researchers linked the patients using encrypted numbers and a blind procedure. The patients were diagnosed with MCS by the NSEHC using the 1999 consensus criteria.
Of interest is that physicians' visits , emergency and hospital separations, and associated costs per patient decreased by 8.7%, or a total savings of $77,440, in the years following the consultation at the NSEHC. The patients with the highest symptom scores had the highest reduction physician visits in the years following diagnosis.
The researchers concluded that “the initial findings from this study are encouraging and warrant further exploration. These results indicate a possible impact on the long-term health care utilization from the NSEHC's management strategies, although a further controlled study, with a longer follow-up is required.”
This study is interesting as it may show that properly diagnosing MCS produces reduced health care utilization which means healthier people who have found answers and solutions to what ails them.
Reference
Fox RA, Joffres MR, Sampalli T, & Casey J. The impact of a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to management of patients diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity on health care utilization costs: an observational study. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Mar;13(2):223-9.
About the Author
Lourdes Salvador is a writer and social advocate based in Hawaii. She is a passionate advocate for the homeless, having worked with her local governor to open new shelters and provide services to the homeless in a new approach to end homelessness. That passion soon turned to advocacy and activism for victims of multiple chemical sensitivity. Since 2006, she has been the president of MCS America and a featured monthly writer for MCS America News. She co-founded MCS Awareness in 2005. She also serves as Partner, Environmental Education Week and Partner, Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE). For more information about Lourdes and her advocacy work, please visit: www.mcs-america.org, www.thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com, and www.cafepress.com/mcsamerica.
Copyrighted © 2007 Lourdes Salvador
