European survey highlights differences in MS nursing - webcast available
02 June 2010
The webcast of the launch of a major survey of MS nursing across Europe is now available.
The MS-NEED (Multiple Sclerosis-Nurse Empowering EDucation): European Survey, which was launched on 28 May, examined how specialist nurses are thought of in different countries. It sought the views of 280 nurses in the UK and Czech Republic (MS specialist nurses), Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland (neurological nurses who spent time caring for people with MS)
The preliminary key findings show that the role of the MS specialist nurse varies substantially across Europe with significant differences in the type and level of advice given by the nurse and their treatment related responsibilities.
MS specialist nurses in the UK had the highest level of autonomy with the most significant opportunity to lead and deliver nurse led services. UK nurses take the lead in symptom management, medication management, and nonmedical prescribing. UK-based MS specialist nurses also have the most comprehensive opportunity for professional development and education with the best supporting networks but have one of the lowest levels of research activity.
Pam Macfarlane, chief executive of the MS Trust said, "The MS Trust was the organisation that first saw the value of MS Specialist nurses and has championed their role as a key element in helping the individual to manage their condition. We have invested heavily to provide education for the specialist nurses and will continue to campaign for an increased number so that everyone diagnosed with MS can have access to an MS specialist nurse."
The MS-NEED Survey is an initiative led by the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) in collaboration with the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN), Rehabilitation in MS (RIMS), and the MS Trust. The full results were announced at the EMSP meeting in Stuttgart on 28 May. A webcast of the launch is now available on the EMSP website.
