Long-Term Treatment Optimization in Individuals with... : Journal of Neuroscience Nursing (original) (raw)

Editorial: PDF Only

Long-Term Treatment Optimization in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis Using Disease-Modifying Therapies

A Nursing Approach

Denis, Lorraine; Namey, Marie; Costello, Kathy; Frenette, Jocelyne; Gagnon, Nathalie; Harris, Colleen; Lowden, Diane; McEwan, Lynn; Morrison, Wendy; Poirier, Josée

Questions or comments about this article may be directed to: Lorraine Denis, BScN RN MSCN, by phone at 613/737-8532 ext. 1, or by e-mail at [email protected]. She is the multiple sclerosis clinic coordinator at the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON.

Marie Namey, MSN RN MSCN, is an advanced practice nurse at the Cleveland Clinic-Mellen Center, Cleveland, OH.

Kathy Costello, MS RN MSCN CRNP, is a nurse practitioner at the Maryland Center for MS, University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, MD.

Jocelyne Frenette, BSN RN MSCN, was formerly the research coordinator, MS Clinic, Ottawa Hospital.

Nathalie Gagnon, BScN RN MSCN, is special therapies nurse, MS Clinic, Ottawa Hospital.

Colleen Harris, MN NP MSCN, is nurse practitioner, MS Clinic, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB.

Diane Lowden, MSc(A) RN MSCN, is clinical nurse specialist, MS Clinic, Montreal Neurological Hospital, Montreal, QC.

Lynn McEwan, MScN RN MSCN CNNC, is nurse practitioner/clinical nurse practitioner, MS Clinic, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.

Wendy Morrison, RN MSCN CNN(C), is research coordinator, MS Clinic University of British Columbia MS Research, Vancouver, BC.

Josée Poirier, BsN RN MSCN, is clinic coordinator, MS Clinic, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montreal, QC.

Abstract

The introduction of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) over the last 7 years has had a significant effect on the management of those living with this disease. Initially, the focus of improving treatment outcomes was on ensuring adherence to therapy by managing drug-related adverse events. However, treatment adherence is only one facet of ensuring optimal health outcomes for patients using DMTs. Therefore, a group of 80 nurses from Canada and the United States (The North American MS Nurses' Treatment Optimization Group) developed an evidence-based nursing approach to address the various factors involved in obtaining optimal patient outcomes. The goal of this nursing approach is to ensure the best possible clinical, subclinical, psychosocial, and quality-of-life outcomes for patients with MS using DMTs.