Contributions
Abstract: P831
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Paediatric MS
Background: In Canada, and other countries with similar geographic and demographic challenges, some children with MS may not receive care from neurologists experienced in the management of paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies have suggested an association of standardization of care with improved health care outcomes. Therefore, management recommendations for the treatment of paediatric MS in Canada were considered necessary to standardize care regardless of treatment setting.
Objective: To develop a standardized approach for paediatric MS care in Canada, with implementation of a national consensus guideline of management strategies facilitated by an online paediatric MS care decision support tool.
Methods: A group of Canadian paediatric MS experts drafted guidelines for the management of paediatric MS, including a protocol for monitoring and for the evaluation of treatment response, as well as algorithms for treatment changes based on treatment tolerability and efficacy. Further feedback and final approval was provided by members of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Study Group and the Canadian Network of MS Clinics.
Results: We developed a real-time clinical decision making tool which employs a web-based password protected portal abiding to healthcare privacy regulations. This tool allows the clinician to quickly enter patient information regarding the number of clinical relapses, MRI lesions and the current EDSS score in order to receive an evaluation of disease activity level and treatment response. A summary page allows the clinician to instantly access a snapshot of their patient"s current treatment, disease activity, number of clinical relapses and new MRI lesions since start of the current treatment, as well as recommendations with regards to treatment algorithms. This decision support tool will be tested at pilot sites across the country before it will be made available to Canadian neurologists involved in paediatric MS care.
Conclusion: This web-based decision making tool would be the first of its kind in the care of paediatric MS patients, with hopes of expanding it to an international population. Future studies will focus on the effect of the tool in standardizing treatment practices across the nation, and the link of these changes to health care outcomes.
This project was funded by a grant of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and supported by the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation.
Disclosure: This project was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
There are no disclosures of potential conflicts of interest with regards to this project.
Abstract: P831
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Paediatric MS
Background: In Canada, and other countries with similar geographic and demographic challenges, some children with MS may not receive care from neurologists experienced in the management of paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies have suggested an association of standardization of care with improved health care outcomes. Therefore, management recommendations for the treatment of paediatric MS in Canada were considered necessary to standardize care regardless of treatment setting.
Objective: To develop a standardized approach for paediatric MS care in Canada, with implementation of a national consensus guideline of management strategies facilitated by an online paediatric MS care decision support tool.
Methods: A group of Canadian paediatric MS experts drafted guidelines for the management of paediatric MS, including a protocol for monitoring and for the evaluation of treatment response, as well as algorithms for treatment changes based on treatment tolerability and efficacy. Further feedback and final approval was provided by members of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Study Group and the Canadian Network of MS Clinics.
Results: We developed a real-time clinical decision making tool which employs a web-based password protected portal abiding to healthcare privacy regulations. This tool allows the clinician to quickly enter patient information regarding the number of clinical relapses, MRI lesions and the current EDSS score in order to receive an evaluation of disease activity level and treatment response. A summary page allows the clinician to instantly access a snapshot of their patient"s current treatment, disease activity, number of clinical relapses and new MRI lesions since start of the current treatment, as well as recommendations with regards to treatment algorithms. This decision support tool will be tested at pilot sites across the country before it will be made available to Canadian neurologists involved in paediatric MS care.
Conclusion: This web-based decision making tool would be the first of its kind in the care of paediatric MS patients, with hopes of expanding it to an international population. Future studies will focus on the effect of the tool in standardizing treatment practices across the nation, and the link of these changes to health care outcomes.
This project was funded by a grant of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and supported by the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation.
Disclosure: This project was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
There are no disclosures of potential conflicts of interest with regards to this project.