[Approach to severe functional deficiencies: evaluating the efficacy of a special multidisciplinary consultation]. / Approche des déficiences fonctionnelles graves: bilan de l'activité d'une consultation pluridisciplinaire dédiée.

A global approach is required to evaluate severe functional deficits. We have developed a multidisciplinary consultation and assessed its usefulness after one year. A total of 62 patients were evaluated (mean age 35 years), usually for neurological functional deficit (50%). Among the 62 patients, surgery was proposed in 72.6% (operations performed in 66%). Others were managed with non-surgical procedures or abstention. The functional outcome as assessed by patients and physicians was poor (or no result) for 6%, fair for 15%, good or very good for 79%. These results suggest that such a multidisciplinary approach is worth being pursued. Some adjustments for psychological dysfunction may further improve outcomes.

[Evaluating the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach of severe functional deficits]. / Evaluation de l'efficacité d'une approche pluridisciplinaire des déficits fonctionnels sévères.

Therapeutic indications aimed at improving function in handicapped persons are difficult to establish as the expected result of a given technique may vary. We have developed a multidisiplinary approach for handicapped persons. Our assessment of this activity which has concerned 62 patients from October 1995 to October 1996 is promising and encourages us to continue this type of attitude. Forty-six of the 58 persons evaluated stated they were well satisfied or very well satisfied with the management of their case and outcome was worse in none of the patients.