title: Multiple sclerosis pathways: an innovative nursing role in disease management.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the central nervous system, is characterized by a variable and unpredictable course. The most common pattern of the disease is the relapsing-remitting form in which clearly defined relapses (also called exacerbations) are followed by complete or incomplete recovery. Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron), a drug that affects the natural course of the disease, was developed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. Multiple Sclerosis Pathways (MSP), a disease management program, was developed to provide comprehensive and personal support to MS patients taking interferon beta-1b and to serve as an information resource for all people with MS, their families, and healthcare professionals. The MSP program includes personal patient assistance, reimbursement services, a 24-hour nurse hotline, training program, educational resources, and injection supplies. The nurse hotline counselor (NHC) utilizes the nursing process in a unique telephone nursing practice in this program. The positive impact of education and support on adherence to therapy has been validated by training and nurse hotline data.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Pathways, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2171, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019468:Disease Management; D018450:Disease Progression; D004345:Drug Industry; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015277:Hotlines / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007587:Job Description; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010548:Personal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a