MC04
Implementing a Brain Health-Focused Approach to Multiple Sclerosis Care: Global and Local MS Brain Health Initiatives
A strategy to maximize lifelong brain health by minimizing delays in the care pathway was described in the widely endorsed policy report, Brain health: time matters in multiple sclerosis.1
Objectives:
MS Brain Health aims to encourage implementation of the recommendations from the policy report through local engagement and the development of quality improvement tools.
Methods:
An international Delphi process was conducted to define standards relating to ‘early’ diagnosis and treatment. This involved MS neurologists, MS nurses, allied healthcare professionals and people with MS from over 20 countries. A survey was conducted at the ECTRIMS–ACTRIMS 2017 congress and online to gauge interest in tools to compare local MS care with these new standards.
Results:
In total, 76 consensus standards emerged from the Delphi process; these will form the basis of quality improvement tools. Of the 131 survey participants, 70% (92/131) work in clinics that regularly assess performance against standards agreed to within their practice, 60% (78/131) use international standards as a benchmark for assessments and 93% (122/131) would consider using a tool to compare current practice in their clinic with internationally recommended standards. In addition, 91% (116/127) would find it helpful to receive patient feedback relating to internationally recommended standards for MS care. Given this interest, tools to help clinics assess their practice and to enable people with MS provide feedback will be developed.
Local MS Brain Health groups could play a role in distributing these tools in their country. The first local MS Brain Health group, Australian MS Brain Health Community, was formed in 2017. The multidisciplinary group aims to strategically and purposefully facilitate the implementation of the MS Brain Health recommendations in Australia.
Conclusions:
Quality improvement tools to support MS services in achieving the best possible care would be welcomed by many MS healthcare professionals worldwide. The Australian MS Brain Health Community provides a model that other countries could follow to encourage local implementation of the report recommendations and uptake of the future tools.
Reference:
- Giovannoni G et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2016;9 Suppl 1:S5–S48.