PG02
Group Education for the MS Community: A Model for Replication
Education for the person with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and support individuals is an important part of the care provided, facilitating understanding of the disease, options for treatment, coping skills, rehab issues, and improving quality of life. Education is often accomplished via office education by MD, PA, NP and RN via formal discussions with patient and support systems during office vists, formal symposiums, and with each telephone contact. This presentation will describe an adjunct evening off-site monthly education series facilitated by MS Certified Registered Nurses and a Social Worker. The current facilitator is the third one in the 12 year history of the series; smooth transitions were accomplished by careful explanations of the programs, by written processes used to plan and implement the series, and by mentoring. The author is facilitator number 2, now retired.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this presentation the participant should be able to:
-describe the value of an off-site education series
- discuss options for funding an educational series
-verbalize understanding of processes in planning and implementation of an education series
-describe staff and financial resources necessary to complete monthly education events
- discuss options for topics and speakers
Methods:
This Power Point presentation will discuss options for speakers, topics and funding of a monthly education series. Logistics of the programs, the makeup of an MS community, how to promote and advertise, staff time and resources needed, factors for success of the programs, and facilitation roles and duties will be highlighted.
Results:
This education series has been offered continuously for the least the last 12 years utilizing collaboration and cooperation of both Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Transition from one facilitator to another has been accomplished with no loss of quality in the events, nor has there been a decrease in attendance.
Pharmaceutical representatives tell us the series is a unique offering.
Attendance has varied over the years and increased steadily; in 2008 it was 31 persons. The average attendance was 61 people in 2017.
We consistently meet our goals of 1) providing educational opportunities beyond what is available in the office setting and 2) providing an opportunity for clients to socialize and form new friendships, gaining support from one another.
Conclusions:
This patient and family educational series is well designed, well received and expected to be continued indefinitely. The model is available for replication in any location.