Disparities in nursing of multiple sclerosis patients-results of a European nurse survey

Nurses play a critical role in caring for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Multiple Sclerosis-Nurse Empowering Education (MS-NEED): European Survey was conducted to understand the role of nurses in MS and the provision of care across Europe. The survey focused on four key areas: clinical practice, advocacy, research and publication, and training and education. A total of 280 nurses were included from the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the Czech Republic. All participants were nurses actively working with MS patients. The role of the nurse in MS is diverse and varies substantially across Europe, leading to inequalities in patient care. A European consensus to define the roles and responsibilities of the MS nurse would facilitate consistency of care across all countries and help to achieve the best possible outcome for patients with MS in Europe. © TOUCH BRIEFINGS 2011

Assess, compare and enhance the <i>status</i> of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Europe: a European Register for MS

Objectives – Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience health-related quality of life (HRQoL) problems greatly differing across Europe, and the European Union (EU) faces deep inequalities in MS management from country to country. Through the establishment of a European MS Register (EUReMS), an effective action is proposed to improve the overall knowledge on MS and support effective intervention programmes at EU and national political level. EUReMS aims to achieve consensus on its mission and vision, to define existing data providers, to develop models driving future MS health policies and research, to develop an information technology (IT) infrastructure for a data set, to develop a European shared governance and to secure providers’ data provision into EUReMS. Materials and methods – EUReMS is meant to build on a minimum set of core data from existing national and regional population-based MS registries and from PwMS’ perspectives. EUReMS’ main partner is the European MS Platform (EMSP) acting in collaboration with associated and collaborating European partners. Results – EUReMS was launched in July 2011. A Consensus Statement on purposes, vision, mission and strategies was produced in December 2011, and a comprehensive survey on existing MS data collections in Europe has been performed, and the EUReMS data mask is currently being discussed. Conclusions – EUReMS will represent a tool to provide up to date, comparable and sustainable MS data through an effective and credible register, which will encourage extensive knowledge building of MS, more equitable policies and higher standards in MS treatment and services.</br