Contributions
Abstract: P615
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Risk management for disease modifying treatments
Background: Navigating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a global initiative which aims to improve outcomes for people with MS through the global adoption of strategies that optimize therapeutic decision-making and improve the way that healthcare professionals, patients and care partners communicate around benefit and risk in the management and treatment of their disease. In order to better understand the potential barriers to effective communications and shared-decision making (SDM), the Navigating MS Steering Committee developed and disseminated a survey to MS healthcare professionals and people living with MS (PLwMS) to identify potential and perceived barriers to successful SDM in MS practice.
Method: Three barrier surveys were conducted to clarify perceptions of neurologists, nurses and patients with regard to SDM and treatment discussions. These surveys were disseminated amongst clinical networks and MS patient advocacy organisations. A total of 73 neurologists,104 nurses, and 1184 (PLwMS) have responded to date.
Findings: Discord in the perception of neurologists, nurses and PLwMS regarding the adequacy of resources required for successful SDM was demonstrated in the data received. Four main areas of contention were identified; lack of education, resources, time, and variable involvement of the interdisciplinary team.
Nurse respondents indicate a perceived proficiency with SDM and adequacy of education and training to fulfil this role. However, 73% of PLwMS respondents indicated a strong preference for engagement with the neurologist in discussing the benefits and risks of treatment options. There was no clear consensus regarding the degree to which decision-making is accurately a collaborative process within the interdisciplinary team. 50% of nurses stated the decisions were shared, although PLwMS reported a lot of ambiguity and variation in how actively involved they were in the decision-making process. Despite neurologists stating the main barrier to SDM was lack of time, 49% of PLwMS strongly disagreed that time was a barrier to SDM, with 60% of nurses reporting clinic timeframes as adequate.
Conclusion: The incongruency of perceptions amongst clinicians and PLwMS regarding the success of current models of care to deliver optimal outcomes demonstrates an ongoing need to educate both healthcare professionals and patients on best practices in adopting a SDM approach to discussions around treatment decisions.
Disclosure: The Navigation MS initiative has received funding from; Biogen, Celgene, EMD Serono, Genentech, Novartis and Sanofi Genzyme.
Meaghan Osborne has received travel assistance and honorarium from Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche.
Amanda Montague: Nothing to disclose
Abstract: P615
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Risk management for disease modifying treatments
Background: Navigating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a global initiative which aims to improve outcomes for people with MS through the global adoption of strategies that optimize therapeutic decision-making and improve the way that healthcare professionals, patients and care partners communicate around benefit and risk in the management and treatment of their disease. In order to better understand the potential barriers to effective communications and shared-decision making (SDM), the Navigating MS Steering Committee developed and disseminated a survey to MS healthcare professionals and people living with MS (PLwMS) to identify potential and perceived barriers to successful SDM in MS practice.
Method: Three barrier surveys were conducted to clarify perceptions of neurologists, nurses and patients with regard to SDM and treatment discussions. These surveys were disseminated amongst clinical networks and MS patient advocacy organisations. A total of 73 neurologists,104 nurses, and 1184 (PLwMS) have responded to date.
Findings: Discord in the perception of neurologists, nurses and PLwMS regarding the adequacy of resources required for successful SDM was demonstrated in the data received. Four main areas of contention were identified; lack of education, resources, time, and variable involvement of the interdisciplinary team.
Nurse respondents indicate a perceived proficiency with SDM and adequacy of education and training to fulfil this role. However, 73% of PLwMS respondents indicated a strong preference for engagement with the neurologist in discussing the benefits and risks of treatment options. There was no clear consensus regarding the degree to which decision-making is accurately a collaborative process within the interdisciplinary team. 50% of nurses stated the decisions were shared, although PLwMS reported a lot of ambiguity and variation in how actively involved they were in the decision-making process. Despite neurologists stating the main barrier to SDM was lack of time, 49% of PLwMS strongly disagreed that time was a barrier to SDM, with 60% of nurses reporting clinic timeframes as adequate.
Conclusion: The incongruency of perceptions amongst clinicians and PLwMS regarding the success of current models of care to deliver optimal outcomes demonstrates an ongoing need to educate both healthcare professionals and patients on best practices in adopting a SDM approach to discussions around treatment decisions.
Disclosure: The Navigation MS initiative has received funding from; Biogen, Celgene, EMD Serono, Genentech, Novartis and Sanofi Genzyme.
Meaghan Osborne has received travel assistance and honorarium from Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche.
Amanda Montague: Nothing to disclose