title: Unmet needs of severely affected multiple sclerosis patients: the health professionals' view.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research has only started recently to specifically concentrate on the group of patients severely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the perception on patients' unmet needs by healthcare professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups and expert interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed by qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unmet needs were identified in four main categories ('support from family/friends'; 'healthcare services'; 'managing everyday life'; 'maintaining biographical continuity'). Whereas physicians assessed most unmet needs in the category 'healthcare services', nurses and social workers focussed on unmet needs in the categories 'support from family/friends' and 'maintaining biographical continuity'. Although the study focused on unmet needs of patients, professionals also voiced their unmet needs when caring for these patients. The group of professionals identified more subcategories than patients and included unmet needs of relatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding professionals' perspective to that of patients is essential to gain a holistic view on patients' unmet needs and to further optimize their care. The perspective of palliative care might contribute to meet unmet needs of severely affected MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany. heidrun.golla@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Golla
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galushko
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pfaff
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voltz
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017144:Focus Groups; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*