Contributions
Abstract: EP1843
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 34 Quality of life
Background: The Active-with MS support program (AMSP) supports patients receiving immunomodulatory disease-modifying therapy with Copaxone®. The AMSP involves three face-to-face consultations with MS nurses in the first half year of treatment. The program also includes a telephone consultation service team and an online forum. The aim of this study is to evaluate the AMSP and explore its impact on treatment adherence and discontinuation.
Methods: This social science panel study is based on a mix of methods, combining qualitative guideline-based expert interviews (n= 7 patients; n=7 MS nurses; n=7 service team members) and a standardized postal survey of patients in a longitudinal evaluation with three data collection waves (nW_1=87, nW_2=65, nW_3=37). The third wave involved a standardized online survey of MS nurses (n=86). Analysis of data was conducted by a bootstrap resampling method.
Results: Patients said they felt to be part of the treatment decision making (M=4.49, SD=.742). They also have high levels of confidence in their treatment (M=4.14, SD=.883) and in the effectiveness of the advice provided by the MS nurses (M=4.46, SD=.774).
In the longitudinal study, dosing was omitted on average never to 3.6 times (BCa 95% CI W_1 [-.02, .53], BCa 95% CI W_2 [-.33, 2.21] and BCa 95% CI W_3 [- .04, 3.61]). Dosing regularity increases at Wave 3. The dropout rate of 10.1% is lower than the expected rate of 20-30%.
Both the importance and ratings for MS nurses were higher than for primary care physicians, specialist physicians, the service team and the online forum.
Conclusion: Patients responding to the survey have high levels of adherence, which increases as treatment duration progresses. Apart from teaching injection technique, MS nurses play an important role in educating patients, sharing knowledge and providing psychosocial counseling.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, adherence, MS nurse consultation service, disease coping strategies
Disclosure: TEVA commissioned the evaluation of the AMSP and provided research funding to the Institute of Social Research and Technological Impact Assessment (IST) at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH). The grant was used to employ research assistants and conduct the surveys. The research team has no conflict of interest or financial interests. Distribution of the questionnaires was organized via TEVA to MS nurses. Subjects were invited to participate and received oral information from MS nurses. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. Neither MS nurses nor subjects received payment for taking part in the study. Data analysis and research findings were independent of TEVA.
Prof. Dr. Mohr reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Prof. Dr. Haug reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Prof. Dr. Weber reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Mrs. Altenbuchner reports personal fees from OTH Regensburg, during the conduct of the study.
Mrs. Scorna reports personal fees from OTH Regensburg, during the conduct of the study.
Abstract: EP1843
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 34 Quality of life
Background: The Active-with MS support program (AMSP) supports patients receiving immunomodulatory disease-modifying therapy with Copaxone®. The AMSP involves three face-to-face consultations with MS nurses in the first half year of treatment. The program also includes a telephone consultation service team and an online forum. The aim of this study is to evaluate the AMSP and explore its impact on treatment adherence and discontinuation.
Methods: This social science panel study is based on a mix of methods, combining qualitative guideline-based expert interviews (n= 7 patients; n=7 MS nurses; n=7 service team members) and a standardized postal survey of patients in a longitudinal evaluation with three data collection waves (nW_1=87, nW_2=65, nW_3=37). The third wave involved a standardized online survey of MS nurses (n=86). Analysis of data was conducted by a bootstrap resampling method.
Results: Patients said they felt to be part of the treatment decision making (M=4.49, SD=.742). They also have high levels of confidence in their treatment (M=4.14, SD=.883) and in the effectiveness of the advice provided by the MS nurses (M=4.46, SD=.774).
In the longitudinal study, dosing was omitted on average never to 3.6 times (BCa 95% CI W_1 [-.02, .53], BCa 95% CI W_2 [-.33, 2.21] and BCa 95% CI W_3 [- .04, 3.61]). Dosing regularity increases at Wave 3. The dropout rate of 10.1% is lower than the expected rate of 20-30%.
Both the importance and ratings for MS nurses were higher than for primary care physicians, specialist physicians, the service team and the online forum.
Conclusion: Patients responding to the survey have high levels of adherence, which increases as treatment duration progresses. Apart from teaching injection technique, MS nurses play an important role in educating patients, sharing knowledge and providing psychosocial counseling.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, adherence, MS nurse consultation service, disease coping strategies
Disclosure: TEVA commissioned the evaluation of the AMSP and provided research funding to the Institute of Social Research and Technological Impact Assessment (IST) at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH). The grant was used to employ research assistants and conduct the surveys. The research team has no conflict of interest or financial interests. Distribution of the questionnaires was organized via TEVA to MS nurses. Subjects were invited to participate and received oral information from MS nurses. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. Neither MS nurses nor subjects received payment for taking part in the study. Data analysis and research findings were independent of TEVA.
Prof. Dr. Mohr reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Prof. Dr. Haug reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Prof. Dr. Weber reports grants from TEVA pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Mrs. Altenbuchner reports personal fees from OTH Regensburg, during the conduct of the study.
Mrs. Scorna reports personal fees from OTH Regensburg, during the conduct of the study.