In the news
Way Ahead 2009;13(1):15
- Atlas of multiple sclerosis resources in the world 2008 (MS Atlas)
- Multiple Sclerosis Annual Evidence Update
- Where are the patients in their decision-making about their own care?
- NHS Choices and NHS Direct merge
>Atlas of multiple sclerosis resources in the world 2008 (MS Atlas)
This joint publication by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federations (MSIF) contains data from 112 countries (this represents 88% of the world population) with a broad spread from the world bank income categories. The survey represents the largest and most representative global examination of MS undertaken.
The objective of the Atlas is to take a world view of MS and its authors suggest its use as an advocacy tool to support initiatives to develop public policy, service provision and support for people with MS worldwide. It perhaps falls down in that prevalence rates for the UK used here are not those generally accepted and this does then raise the question of accuracy throughout the remainder of the publication.
Multiple Sclerosis Annual Evidence Update
The National Library for Health - Neurological Conditions Specialist Library has produced the first Multiple Sclerosis Annual Evidence Update (AEU). This draws together recently published high quality evidence, focusing on systematic reviews and published guidelines.
Evidence is arranged into the following sections:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment - disease modifying and symptomatic
- Risk factors
- Others
Commentary on selected items is made by members of the AEU review group including Megan Burgess, MS nurse consultant and Dr Martin Wilson, consultant neurologist. This provides an important yearly updating service for evidence based practice. The majority of these items will be highlighted in the MS Information Update as they are published.
Where are the patients in their decision-making about their own care?
Written by Picker Institute Europe for the World Health Organisation European Ministerial Conference, this policy brief highlights the robust body of evidence that exists to support strengthening patient engagement in healthcare and the need for a coherent strategy to achieve this.
The report focuses in three main areas:
- Health literacy
- Treatment decision making
- Self management of chronic conditions
It recommends that "Strategies for informing and empowering patients and for improving the responsiveness of the healthcare delivery systems should be high on the policy agenda in all countries". Procedures for professional regulation including patient feedback on interpersonal skills, training of healthcare professionals in communications skills and specific aids and techniques to help patients play a more active role (such as decision aids) are suggested as ways this might be achieved.
NHS Choices and NHS Direct merge
Patients looking for information about the choices available for their healthcare will now be able to find it all on one NHS website as NHS Choices and NHS Direct, have joined forces to provide the public with all the health information they need in one online location. The new NHS Choices website will offer access to: self-help guides, comparative information on hospitals, guides to long-term conditions, practice profiles to help find GPs and much more.
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- NICE publishes guidance on depression
- Is the general election relevant to health professionals working in the NHS?
- How does the Disability Discrimination Act support people with MS?
- Palliative care in MS
- Quality of life utility scores
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- MS Trust conference report
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