EVALUATION OF THE USEFULNESS OF A DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL MYELOPATHY WARNING CARD

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults, yet remains substantially under-recognised, particularly within primary care. Delayed diagnosis is common and is associated with poorer patient outcomes. Previous studies have identified limited awareness of DCM and low clinician confidence in recognising its early signs and symptoms. Furthermore, patient-facing educational resources are scarce. In response to these challenges, the East Midlands Spinal Network (EMSN) developed a DCM awareness card in 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived usefulness, usability, and potential clinical impact of the card among healthcare professionals.

A cross-sectional survey was developed by the EMSN Quality Improvement and Education Champions and distributed via email and social media platforms to primary and secondary care clinicians across the East Midlands region. Eligible participants included General Practitioners, spinal surgeons, First Contact Practitioners, Advanced Practice Practitioners, musculoskeletal clinicians, pain practitioners, physiotherapists, and nurses. The survey incorporated Likert-scale questions exploring clinicians' perceptions of the card's usefulness, usability, impact on awareness and confidence in identifying DCM, and potential influence on clinical practice.

A total of 164 clinicians completed the survey. Physiotherapists, including those working in extended roles, represented 80% of respondents; the remainder included spinal surgeons, GPs, and nurses. Overall, responses demonstrated strong support for the implementation of the DCM awareness card. 93% of respondents reported being likely or very likely to use the card in clinical practice. Additionally, 92% agreed or strongly agreed that the card would improve patient understanding and awareness of DCM, while 88% agreed or strongly agreed that it was a useful resource for both patients and clinicians. Furthermore, 83% believed that the card could contribute to reducing delays in the diagnosis of DCM through improved recognition and referral.

Healthcare professionals demonstrated strong support for the use of the DCM awareness card in clinical practice. Findings suggest that the card may enhance clinician and patient awareness of DCM, support earlier recognition and referral, and facilitate clinical decision-making. As a simple, low-cost educational intervention, the DCM awareness card has the potential to improve awareness of DCM across healthcare settings and may contribute to earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Further evaluation is warranted to determine its impact on clinician behaviour, referral patterns, and diagnostic timelines.