title: Clinic-based needs assessment of individuals with multiple sclerosis and significant others: implications for program planning--psychological needs.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the psychological/psychosocial needs of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their significant others (SOs) who attended an MS clinic. A quantitative questionnaire, developed from focus groups, consisted of 23 needs statements in the psychological/psychosocial needs category. Participants were randomly selected from the clinic's database. The questionnaire was completed by 353 MS patients and 240 significant others. Content analysis of the psychological category produced four themes: general psychological needs, psychological needs related to specific resource needs, psychological needs related to interaction with the medical community, and psychological needs statements displaying a difference between MS and SO responses. The data indicate the importance of psychological intervention in the care of MS patients and its implications for program planning.
authors.affiliation: MS Clinic, London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Road, London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada. cathylee.benbow@lhse.on.ca
authors.forename: Cathy-Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Benbow
authors.forename: Wilma J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires