CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 27 /PRNewswire/ --
Honored for the poster presentation,
"A Needs Assessment Survey of MS Patients and Care Partners,"
the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) received the Berlex
Award for the Best Poster in Patient and Family Education in Multiple
Sclerosis, at the 20th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple
Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) in Scottsdale, Arizona, June 1st - 3rd. As the
winner of the Berlex Award, MSAA will receive free meeting
registration to
attend next year's CMSC Annual Meeting.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040730/NYF027LOGO )
The poster presentation was a review of a needs assessment survey
administered by MSAA, which was distributed to 2,085 MS patients and
care
partners. The survey was developed to gather information to better
understand the needs of the MS community and how MSAA can help to meet
those needs. Overall, the research found that medical information,
rehabilitation, and therapeutic services as well as attaining life
skills
are important and unmet needs for MS patients.
MSAA's President and CEO Doug Franklin sees the Berlex Award as a
notable achievement for MSAA. "It is a distinct honor to be
recognized by
the CMSC, an organization comprised of our nation's MS experts in the
fields of medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, and research," states
Franklin. "The results of this survey will help set the strategic
direction
of MSAA. It will also provide valuable insights to other groups and
individuals who are addressing the diverse issues presented by MS."
CMSC Executive Director, June Halper, MSCN, ANP, FAAN believes the
needs assessment survey is an asset to the MS community and is a great
example of what the Berlex Award signifies. "The significance of the
Berlex
Award is to recognize an achievement/activity that improves patient and
family education," says Halper. "MSAA's survey is an important
assessment
of the educational and service needs of the MS community and should
yield
programs and services that reflect the needs of the community."
Robert Rapp, MSAA's vice president for program and evaluation,
feels
the needs assessment is an important tool for identifying what the MS
community truly needs and how MSAA can help meet those needs. "It is so
important to directly ask those we serve what programs are most
important
to them. Our assessment both supported the value of our current services
and provided us with new information," says Rapp. "As an example,
upwards
of 80% of those surveyed had access to a computer. This was much higher
than we would have anticipated and will speed our development of more
technology based models of service delivery."
The survey was designed to examine three primary areas including
the
informational and educational needs of the MS community during the past
year in 16 different areas; programs and services that are currently
offered by MSAA; and finally the types of programs the MS community
would
like to have offered to them.
The results of the first section found information on new medicine,
treatment, and research were the greatest perceived needs. Some of the
other areas that were ranked highly in the survey were information about
exercise, fatigue management, better problem solving and coping, and
complementary and alterative medicine.
In the second set of questions, clients were asked to choose from a
list of 13 programs and services available to them and rank their top
three. Publications and brochures were rated first; second, were
educational awareness events; and third, were programs, which combine
social activities with therapeutic benefits, such as water exercise
and Tai
Chi.
The final set of questions asked participants to choose potential
programs. This series of questions allowed MSAA to conclude that
rehabilitation services are needed most as well as services that provide
skills, encouragement, and support to help manage one's life.
MSAA's poster was authored by Robert Rapp, M.A.P.A., MSAA's vice
president for programs & evaluation; Jack Burks, M.D., MSAA's vice
president and chief medical officer; Gary Cutter, Ph.D., professor of
biostatistics, head, section on research methods and clinical trials,
department of biostatistics, UAB School of Public Health; and Amanda
Montague, Ed.M., MSAA western regional director.
The Berlex Awards are presented each year for the best poster
and best
platform presentation depicting excellence in patient education. A
panel of
CMSC members representing various disciplines caring for individuals
with
multiple sclerosis judges the awards. There are two patient education
goals
that the poster and platform presentations must meet to receive the
award.
First, the presentations must provide factual information to people with
MS, their families and significant others about the disease,
treatments and
other MS related issues. Second, the presentations must increase the
level
of knowledge and promote positive health outcomes and behaviors.
To view MSAA's poster presentation please visit
http://www.msaa.com/PDFs/MSAA%20CMSC%20poster%202006.pdf.
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is a national
nonprofit
charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for
people affected by multiple sclerosis. MSAA offers programs and services
including a toll-free Helpline (1-800-532-7667); support groups;
equipment
ranging from grab bars to wheelchairs; home modifications; MRI
funding and
insurance advocacy; educational literature including a quarterly
magazine,
The Motivator; lending library; cooling program for heat-sensitive
individuals; educational programs; and more.
The most common neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults,
multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous
system.
This disorder damages or destroys the protective covering (known as
myelin)
surrounding the nerves, causing reduced communication between the
brain and
nerve pathways. Common symptoms include visual problems, overwhelming
fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, and various levels of
impaired mobility. MS is not contagious or fatal.
SOURCE Multiple Sclerosis Association of America