Detangling Difficult Conversations About Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Exchanges

Program Overview

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. As the treatment armamentarium continues to grow, patient involvement in the development of an effective treatment strategy is becoming increasingly important. In this Clinical Exchanges^SMactivity, leading MS specialists discuss issues of diagnosing MS, initiating treatment, and switching therapies, all in the context of practical shared decision-making techniques demonstrated by their own patients.

Credit Expired

Target Audience

The target audience for this activity is neurology providers (including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who diagnose and manage patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Recognize and diagnose the spectrum of multiple sclerosis (MS), from CIS to the various forms of MS (ie, relapsing-remitting and progressive forms) using established, updated clinical, imaging, and laboratory criteria
Appropriately use available and emerging disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS based on their efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles, as well as their approved or anticipated indications for the various forms of MS
Recognize and manage treatment failure, including switching DMTs
Monitor disease and patient outcomes, including patient adherence, according to recommended protocols
Use shared decision making when prescribing DMTs to improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes
Appropriately manage MS in women of child-bearing age

Activity Faculty

Patricia K. Coyle, MD, FAAN, FANA (Chair)

Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Neurology
Founder and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, NY