Show Me Your Care Plan!™ Nursing Strategies to Support Continuity of Care in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Target Audience
This educational program is directed toward nurses who are involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, MS specialists, and other HCPs are invited to participate.

Program Overview
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination and neurodegenerative progression. Most patients with MS experience relapses and remission of neurological symptoms, especially early in the disease course. Gradual disease progression typically becomes more common over time. The effect on quality of life (QoL) for patients and their families can be severe. The disease course is unpredictable, and care requires frequent appointments, testing, and expensive therapies.

Nursing practice aims to manage and influence the illness of patients with MS by supporting the use of disease-modifying treatments, facilitating symptom management, promoting safe maximal function, and supporting a wellness-oriented QoL. Nurses often serve as the hub of communication, education, advocacy, and counseling for patients, their families, and other health care providers (HCPs).

The purpose of this educational activity is to update nurses and nurse practitioners on current therapies, emerging therapies, management of MS symptoms, and treatment. The faculty will also focus on the importance of individualized care and effective communication with patients and caregivers to improve outcomes and QoL for patients living with MS.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Evaluate clinical trial data for current and emerging disease-modifying therapies for patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
Apply personalized treatment plans for the optimal management of RRMS using principles of patient-centered care
Implement strategies for monitoring patients with RRMS to optimize treatment outcomes
Formulate approaches to counseling patients about symptomatic management of RRMS