Should we be moving to a national standardized non-gadolinium MR imaging protocol for the surveillance of vestibular schwannomas?

OBJECTIVES:: To examine whether the model of Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) could be relevant to the surveillance of non-operated vestibular schwannomas (vs) by testing the following hypotheses: (1) in the UK there is a great variation in the imaging protocol for the follow-up of vs; (2) high-resolution, T 2 weighted MRI (HRT 2W-MRI) has an equivalent accuracy to gadolinium-enhanced T 1 weighted MRI (Gd-MRI) in the assessment of vs size and; (3) imaging with HRT 2W-MRI rather than Gd-MRI could offer financial savings. METHODS:: Two neuroradiologists independently performed measurements of 50 vs imaged with HRT 2W-MRI and Gd-MRI. Differences in mean tumour measurements between HRT 2W-MRI and Gd-MRI were determined, as were intra- and interobserver concordance. Level of agreement was measured using Bland-Altman plots. Consultant neuroradiologists within 30 adult neurosurgical units in the UK were contacted via email and asked to provide the MRI protocol used for the surveillance of non-operated vs in their institution. The financial difference between scanning with HRT 2W-MRI and Gd-MRI was determined within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. RESULTS:: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean diameter of vs size, measured on HRT 2W-MRI and Gd-MRI (p = 0.28 & p = 0.74 for observers 1 and 2 respectively). Inter- and intraobserver concordance were excellent (Interclass correlation coefficient = 0.99, Interclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.98 respectively). Differences between the two sequences were within limits of agreement. 26 of 30 UK neuroscience centres (87 % response rate) provided imaging protocols. 16 of the 26 (62%) centres use Gd-MRI for the surveillance of vs. HRT 2-MRI is £36.91 cheaper per patient than Gd-MRI. CONCLUSION:: Variation exits across UK centres in the imaging surveillance of non-operated vs. HRT 2W-MRI and Gd-MRI have equivalent accuracy when measuring vs. Imaging with HRT 2W-MRI rather than Gd-MRI offers potential financial savings. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: This study highlights the potential health and economic benefits of a national standardized imaging protocol for the surveillance of non-operated vs.

Health needs assessment and needs-led health service change: a survey of projects involving public health doctors.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the criteria that define an effective health needs assessment and to explore which factors are important for the delivery of effective health needs assessment in the English National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: A postal questionnaire to all public health doctors in an English health region to describe health needs assessment activity, including initiating factors, methods and outcomes. This was followed by semi-structured interviews with public health professionals and others involved in 10 purposively selected needs assessments. RESULTS: A response rate of 62% identified a total of 102 health needs assessments undertaken between 1993 and 1998. A number of themes emerged as being important in the impact of health needs assessments on policy and planning. These included careful design, methodological rigour, decisive leadership, good communication, involvement and ownership of the work from relevant stakeholders, support from senior decision-makers, appreciation of the political dynamics and engagement with local priorities, availability of resources and, finally, an element of chance. These themes can be categorised broadly into contextual factors and quality or robustness of the work. Our findings suggest that, although methodological and analytical quality are necessary characteristics of effective health needs assessment, they are not sufficient without a favourable political environment. CONCLUSION: There appear to be conditions under which needs assessment is more likely to be effective in terms of its influence on policy and planning. However, it is clear that needs assessment does not occupy a central position in health service decision-making, remaining vulnerable to a range of factors over which those responsible for its conduct have little or no control.