title: The perspectives of Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis on continuity of care: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuity in multiple sclerosis (MS) care has been cited as a critical feature of this care and necessary to improve medical outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This exploratory and descriptive research attempts to identify continuity of care from the experience and perspective of patients with MS at two teaching hospitals and the MS Society in Ahvaz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 23 patients with MS were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected through in-depth and unstructured interviews and were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes emerged from the analysis: human-oriented attention, the necessity of purposeful planning, importance of responsibility, and caring with empathetic sensing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the importance of professional caring practice to continuity of care for patients with MS, we suggest that healthcare providers should include these aspects in care planning.
authors.affiliation: 1PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran 2PhD, Isfahan, PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran 3PhD, Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 4PhD, Assistant Professor, Member of Faculty, Medicine School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.forename: HeidarAli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abedi
authors.forename: Parvin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abedi
authors.forename: Seyed Ehsan
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mohammadianinejad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult