title: The importance of a multi-disciplinary perspective and patient activation programmes in MS management.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease associated with a large variety of symptoms and changing patients' needs during the disease course. In order to provide appropriate care in every disease stage and let patients live their lives to the full, a multi-disciplinary approach and patient activation is needed.
  
  
  
  To summarise the multi-disciplinary perspective of MS, with focus on the organisation of a multi-disciplinary care team and possibilities to support patient activation.
  
  
  
  This review reflects the content of the presentations, audience polling results and discussions on the multi-disciplinary perspective of MS during the second Pan-European MS Multi-stakeholder Colloquium.
  
  
  
  In many countries, the neurologist with or without the support of an MS nurse is responsible for the long-term care of MS patients. When needed, they should refer to other (non-)medical specialists. However, the patient should be empowered as well to manage his/her disease and to implement a physically active lifestyle in order to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.
  
  
  
  To create equal access to care for MS patients across Europe, evidence-based standards of care, symptom self-monitoring tools and educational programmes for patients and healthcare professionals including non-medical treatment strategies should be developed at the European level.
authors.affiliation: REVAL Rehabilitation Research Centre, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium peter.feys@uhasselt.be.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.affiliation: Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
authors.affiliation: Ismar Healthcare, Lier, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dijsselbloem
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy/IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Centonze
authors.affiliation: National Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Melsbroek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eelen
authors.affiliation: Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lykke Andersen
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010358:Patient Participation; D011379:Prognosis; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D000073597:Stakeholder Participation
keywords: Multi-disciplinary perspective; multiple sclerosis; patient participation; rehabilitation; self-management