Exploring educational needs of multiple sclerosis care providers: Results of a care-provider survey

Aaron P. Turner, Christine Martin, Rhonda M. Williams, Kelly Goudreau, James D. Bowen, Michael Hatzakis, Ruth H. Whitham, Dennis N. Bourdette, Lynne Walker, Jodie K. Haselkorn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our objective was to survey experienced multiple sclerosis (MS) care providers, determine their ongoing professional educational needs, and develop future education programs. We asked providers across a variety of disciplines to identify the areas in which clinical consultation and continuing medical education (CME) would most improve their ability to provide care to individuals with MS; their preferred education modalities; and their confidence in providing care related to disease-modifying agents (DMAs), fatigue, depression, spasticity, and bladder management. At a national meeting of MS professionals, 152 MS care providers completed a self-report survey that was designed for this cross-sectional cohort study. Areas of greatest interest for clinical consultation and CME were identical and included cognition, fatigue, DMA use, spasticity, pain, sex, diagnosis of MS, and depression. Participants expressed a preference for live and interactive CME modalities. Confidence in providing specific disease-related care sometimes differed between Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA providers. The results indicate that clinical consultations and CME should be targeted to the topics of greatest interest identified by providers and delivered in a live or interactive modality whenever possible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)25-34
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
Volume43
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cognition
  • Depression
  • Disease-modifying agents
  • Education
  • Fatigue
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Multiple sclerosis diagnosis
  • Pain
  • Sexual function
  • Spasticity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation

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