Press release:
A survey of U.S. multiple sclerosis, or MS, specialist clinicians reveals the COVID-19 pandemic has created major changes in how they deliver care.
“Since the pandemic began, more than 95% of our survey respondents reported using telehealth platforms to provide care for their patients,” said Dr. Elizabeth Morrison-Banks, a health sciences clinical professor of neurology in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, who led the survey reported in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. “Approximately one half of the respondents were MS specialist neurologists, four out of five of whom indicated that COVID-19 had changed how they were recommending and prescribing MS disease-modifying therapies.”
During the pandemic, the MS specialist neurologists tended to prescribe fewer immunosuppressive agents. Survey respondents also commented on their perceived level of safety and support in the workplace during the pandemic. Most indicated they had access to adequate personal protective equipment, but fewer than 50% reported they had adequate ability to physically distance themselves at work. Nearly 10% of respondents reported they had been redeployed, most commonly to the front lines of COVID-19 care.
“Our findings point to profound changes in MS clinical practice since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Morrison-Banks, who directs the Multiple Sclerosis Program at UCR Health. “For better or for worse, when clinical practice patterns change, we should not be surprised to see corresponding changes in patient outcomes.”
Survey respondents included some of the most highly trained MS specialists in the country, considered to be thought leaders for other clinicians in their disciplines.
“Their collective shift, on average, in prescribing fewer of the highest-efficacy immunosuppressive therapies could potentially translate into patients experiencing more MS disease activity,” Morrison-Banks said. “We don’t, however, have enough information yet about COVID-19 outcomes in patients receiving immunosuppressive treatments. We suspect many respondents were decreasing use of certain MS disease-modifying therapies that suppress the immune system — for example, B-cell modulating agents — because they were concerned these agents could trigger severe complications from COVID-19.”
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Morrison-Banks attended a virtual MS meeting in which the discussion turned to how MS specialists were responding to the pandemic.
“Sharing our mutual interest in how our colleagues around the country were dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 led to this national survey,” she said. “We did our best to collect and disseminate the survey’s data as early as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic with the hope that the results will be of use to clinicians and people living with MS. Our finding that nearly 10% of survey respondents reported being redeployed because of the viral pandemic led us to consider the extent to which the pandemic has challenged the capacity of the MS health care work force.”
Morrison-Banks stressed that people living with MS need consistent support from their clinicians to ensure they receive the best possible health care.
“We hope people living with MS will not avoid seeing their clinicians because they’re afraid of getting exposed to COVID-19,” she said. “Our survey suggests the vast majority of MS specialists are offering at least some telehealth services so their patients can feel safer as they continue receiving care.”
Next, the team plans to study how clinical practice patterns in MS care will change as more research data are published over the upcoming months, including from ongoing studies exploring how various MS disease-modifying therapies affect outcomes from SARS CoV-2 infection.
Advertisement:
- DeSantis MS RD CDN, Noelle (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 228 Pages - 12/17/2019 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)
- Murray MD, T. Jock (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 09/28/2017 (Publication Date) - Demos Health (Publisher)
- Kalb, Rosalind (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 05/08/2012 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
- AESTHETIC STICKERS FOR WATER BOTTLES - Funny stickers for laptop will make your cool things become more colorful. With this pack of 20 pcs, there are no duplicates. Cute stickers for adults are not a random sticker pack, and vibrant funny stickers for teens will add color to life.
- COOL STICKERS FOR TEENS AESTHETIC - These funny stickers for water bottles are made from durable vinyl, these cute stickers for journaling can be applied to any smooth, clean surface. These cute aesthetic stickers for girls are easy to apply and remove.
- VINYL WATERPROOF STICKERS FOR WATER BOTTLES - These waterproof stickers have a strong adhesive that will not peel off your scrapbooking and are designed to withstand all weather conditions. They are applied to the outside of the vehicle, water bottles, helmets, phone cases, suitcases, laptops, computers, journaling, cups, tumblers, luggage, bikes, and more.
- EASY TO APPLY - Just thoroughly clean and dry the surface you want to use. The decal should be carefully peeled off of its backing, precisely positioned, and gently applied to the required region.
- CUSTOMER SUPPORT - We will make every effort to bring your happiness with our stickers. If you have any questions regarding your package or shipping, we are willing to support you!
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Shadday LSCW, Allison (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages - 12/28/2006 (Publication Date) - Hunter House (Publisher)
- Hawley, Dr. Gretchen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 173 Pages - 07/05/2023 (Publication Date) - Piper Publishing (Publisher)
- Package Content: you will receive 50 pieces of cancer awareness bracelets, 50 pieces of cancer awareness pen, 50 pieces of ribbon pins and 50 pieces of drawstring bags, enough to use or replace, easy to meet your daily needs
- Leukemia Awareness Accessories: the leukemia awareness bracelet is made of silicone material, sturdy and reliable, which can raise awareness of leukemia; The leukemia awareness pen is retractable, come with nice reliability and smooth writing, the leukemia cancer pins are designed to be firm and sturdy
- Orange Ribbon Theme Design: these multiple sclerosis awareness pens are designed with a orange ribbon, the universal symbol of orange awareness; By using these pens, users are subtly spreading awareness about the disease
- Positive and Motivational: the cancer awareness decorations are positive and motivational, you can send them to breast cancer survivors to show your care and support, which can also empower them and inspire them to continue their fight
- Suitable for Multiple Occasions: our cancer awareness accessories are ideal to offer at charity events, public events, awareness runs or recognition fundraisers, which can work as favors, gifts or giveaways leading to an increase in event participation
- M.G. Fields (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 265 Pages - 11/12/2021 (Publication Date) - Greatwood Books (Publisher)
- MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS medical alert bracelet. Medical identification jewelry can save lives by providing first responders critical health.
- Your medical ID bracelet provides quick recognition of your medical conditions, which leads to faster and proper care in the event of an emergency situation. Most first responders and medical personnel are trained to look for medical ID's during emergencies!
- 316L stainless steel metal plate and silicone band. Waterproof, very comfortable to wear, waterproof and Low-allergy. Our Engraved words are large and can be easily read.
- Bracelet Size: 21CM, Weight:18g. The bracelet length is adjustable to perfectly fit your wrist size. Please see the second picture for details of the steps to adjust the size.
- Designed to be highly visible to emergency responders, but also with elegance in mind.
- AESTHETIC STICKERS FOR WATER BOTTLES - Funny stickers for laptop will make your cool things become more colorful. With this pack of 20 pcs, there are no duplicates. Cute stickers for adults are not a random sticker pack, and vibrant funny stickers for teens will add color to life.
- COOL STICKERS FOR TEENS AESTHETIC - These funny stickers for water bottles are made from durable vinyl, these cute stickers for journaling can be applied to any smooth, clean surface. These cute aesthetic stickers for girls are easy to apply and remove.
- VINYL WATERPROOF STICKERS FOR WATER BOTTLES - These waterproof stickers have a strong adhesive that will not peel off your scrapbooking and are designed to withstand all weather conditions. They are applied to the outside of the vehicle, water bottles, helmets, phone cases, suitcases, laptops, computers, journaling, cups, tumblers, luggage, bikes, and more.
- EASY TO APPLY - Just thoroughly clean and dry the surface you want to use. The decal should be carefully peeled off of its backing, precisely positioned, and gently applied to the required region.
- CUSTOMER SUPPORT - We will make every effort to bring your happiness with our stickers. If you have any questions regarding your package or shipping, we are willing to support you!
I get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.