Objective: The Ixcellence Network® aims to improve patient care in the fields of cervical dystonia (CD) and spasticity through the development of a high level training program.

Background: Despite the widespread use of botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A) in both CD and spasticity, most countries do not have a recognized training scheme and there is little official guidance on patient management, including BoNT-A injection technique. Therefore, there are disparate management and care practices for the treatment of patients with spasticity or CD worldwide.

Methods: A Steering Committee composed of 6 experts in the management of CD and spasticity was convened to design the network of training programs, choose the centres and trainers, and validate the contents of the 9 training courses. Trainings were designed in order to approach innovative methods and concepts concerning patients’ diagnosis, clinical evaluation, treatment administration, rehabilitation methods and outcome measures. To evaluate the efficacy of the program, a questionnaire was given to each attendee at the end of each training (T0), and a second one was sent to them by email six months later (T6). The trainers were also invited to respond to a questionnaire sent by email to gather their opinions on the program’s organization.

Results: Since the program launch in 2012, 473 physicians have been trained. Of the 347 physicians who gave written feedback at the end of their course, 77% reported an excellent general level of satisfaction (gave a score of 5 on a scale from 1 to 5), 96% stated that they were provided with new information and 92% reckon that the training achieved their personal objectives. Of the 235 physicians who provided feedback 6-months after attendance, 93% confirmed that the training had changed their daily practice (Figure 1). Overall, practice and self-confidence improvements were stated by trainees and confirmed 6 months later. All trainers stated that the trainees’ level of expertise met their expectations and thought that their course answered the trainees’ objectives. Trainees’ motivation and language level met or exceeded the trainers’ expectations for 100% and 83% of trainers, respectively, but 17% reported that the trainees’ level of participation was inferior to expected.

Conclusions: By attending Ixcellence Network trainings, attendees are able to develop their specialist skills.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/an-innovative-international-educational-network-to-improve-physicians-current-management-practices-of-patients-with-cervical-dystonia-and-spasticity/