The interactive web-based program MSmonitor for self-management and multidisciplinary care in multiple sclerosis: utilization and valuation by patients

Peter Joseph Jongen; Ludovicus G Sinnige; Björn M van Geel; Freek Verheul; Wim I Verhagen; Ruud A van der Kruijk; Reinoud Haverkamp; Hans M Schrijver; Jacoba C Baart; Leo H Visser; Edo P Arnoldus; Herman Jacobus Gilhuis; Paul Pop; Monique Booy; Marco Heerings; Anton Kool; Esther van Noort

doi:10.2147/PPA.S93786

The interactive web-based program MSmonitor for self-management and multidisciplinary care in multiple sclerosis: utilization and valuation by patients

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016 Mar 3:10:243-50. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S93786. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Peter Joseph Jongen¹, Ludovicus G Sinnige², Björn M van Geel³, Freek Verheul⁴, Wim I Verhagen⁵, Ruud A van der Kruijk⁶, Reinoud Haverkamp⁷, Hans M Schrijver⁸, Jacoba C Baart⁹, Leo H Visser¹⁰, Edo P Arnoldus¹¹, Herman Jacobus Gilhuis¹², Paul Pop¹³, Monique Booy¹⁴, Marco Heerings¹⁵, Anton Kool¹⁶, Esther van Noort¹⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
² Multiple Sclerosis Centre Leeuwarden, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Alkmaar, Alkmaar, the Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, the Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Neurology, Slingeland Hospital, Doetinchem, the Netherlands.
⁷ Department of Neurology, Zuwe Hofpoort Hospital, Woerden, the Netherlands.
⁸ Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Westfries Gasthuis, Hoorn, the Netherlands.
⁹ Department of Neurology, Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, Almelo-Hengelo, the Netherlands.
¹⁰ Multiple Sclerosis Centre Midden Brabant, St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
¹¹ Multiple Sclerosis Centre Midden Brabant, Tweesteden Hospital, Delft, the Netherlands.
¹² Department of Neurology, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, Delft, the Netherlands.
¹³ Department of Neurology, Viecuri Medical Centre, Venlo-Venray, the Netherlands.
¹⁴ Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands.
¹⁵ MH Advies en organisatiebureau, Assen, the Netherlands.
¹⁶ Curavista bv, Geertruidenberg, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: MSmonitor is an interactive web-based program for self-management and integrated, multidisciplinary care in multiple sclerosis.

Methods: To assess the utilization and valuation by persons with multiple sclerosis, we held an online survey among those who had used the program for at least 1 year. We evaluated the utilization and meaningfulness of the program's elements, perceived use of data by neurologists and nurses, and appreciation of care, self-management, and satisfaction.

Results: Fifty-five persons completed the questionnaire (estimated response rate 40%). The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Profile (MSIP), Medication and Adherence Inventory, Activities Diary, and electronic consultation (e-consult) were used by 40%, 55%, 47%, and 44% of respondents and were considered meaningful by 83%, 81%, 54%, and 88%, respectively. During out-patient consultations, nurses reportedly used the MSmonitor data three to six times more frequently than neurologists. As to nursing care, more symptoms were dealt with (according to 54% of respondents), symptoms were better discussed (69%), and the overall quality of care had improved (60%) since the use of the program. As to neurological care, these figures were 24%, 31%, and 27%, respectively. In 46% of the respondents, the insight into their symptoms and disabilities had increased since the use of the program; the MSIP, Activities Diary, and e-consult had contributed most to this improvement. The overall satisfaction with the program was 3.5 out of 5, and 73% of the respondents would recommend the program to other persons with multiple sclerosis.

Conclusion: A survey among persons with multiple sclerosis using the MSmonitor program showed that the MSIP, Medication and Adherence Inventory, Activities Diary, and e-consult were frequently used and that the MSIP, Medication and Adherence Inventory, and e-consult were appreciated the most. Moreover, the quality of nursing care, but not so neurological care, had improved, which may relate to nurses making more frequent use of the MSmonitor data than neurologists.

Keywords: adherence; diary; e-consult; impact; inventory; patient-reported outcome.