TMCnet News
International Survey from Biogen Identifies Opportunities for Improving MS Treatment SatisfactionNew findings from an international survey of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurologists show that multiple factors in the patient-physician dynamic contribute to overall patient treatment satisfaction, including patients' treatment expectations, degree of input into the treatment decision-making process and communication with their physicians. The results reinforce the significance of a strong patient-physician collaboration and reveal opportunities for improving MS patient care. These data are being presented at the 67th American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. "Treatment satisfaction depends on many factors and as neurologists, we should strive to better understand all aspects that affect a patient's overall experience. These data highlight an opportunity to improve satisfaction through increased patient involvement in the decision-making process and communication with their neurologist," said Sibyl Wray, M.D., director, Hope Neurology MS Center, Knoxville, Tenn., U.S. "Establishing a patient-physician partnership that outlines clear treatment goals and expectations and allows for shared responsibility in treatment decision-making could contribute to better care." The survey was developed in partnership with the State of MS Consortium, an international steering committee of treating neurologists from five countries and representatives from patient advocacy groups, commissioned by Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB) and conducted online by Harris Poll. The survey involved MS patients and neurologists who treat the disease in Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.) and aimed to understand the current experiences of those living with and treating the disease, including treatment expectations, decisions and satisfaction. Based on the survey, MS patients are divided when it comes to satisfaction with their current disease-modifying treatment (DMT (News - Alert))-58 percent report being "very satisfied/satisfied," while 42 percent are "somewhat/not at all satisfied." As might be expected, patients who are more satisfied with their DMT are more likely than those who are not to report that their expectations set forth prior to starting treatment were met closely or very closely. In fact, 67 percent of these very satisfied/satisfied patients report having their expectations met. However, of the 42 percent of patients who are somewhat/not at all satisfied with their treatment, 44 percent report having their expectations met. Satisfied patients also tend to play active roles in the treatment decision-making process and feel comfortable speaking with their physicians.
Patients Satisfied with Therapy Provide Input into Their Treatment
Plan and Cite Comfort Speaking with Their Neurologist In addition to their degree of input in treatment decisions, patients who are very satisfied or satisfied with their DMT are more likely than those who are not to say that they are very comfortable speaking to their neurologist about their MS. Of the patients who are satisfied with their DMT, 64 percent say they are very comfortable speaking with their neurologist. Conversely, of the patients who are less satisfied with their DMT, only 43 perent report being very comfortable speaking with their neurologist.
Individualized Approach to Treatment Decisions May Contribute to
Improved Patient Satisfaction "At Biogen, we strive to advance MS care beyond conducting innovative research and are committed to investing in initiatives like the State of MS that help us better understand and improve the experience of people with MS," said Gilmore O'Neill, vice president, Multiple Sclerosis Research and Development, Biogen. "We look forward to continued collaboration with the State of MS Consortium to further explore issues affecting the MS community and how we might work to address them."
About the Survey
About the State of MS Consortium
About Multiple Sclerosis
About Biogen
1 Patients were able to select multiple responses to this question in the survey questionnaire. 2 Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, Atlas of MS 2013. Epidemiology of MS. Page 8. Date Accessed: July 9, 2014. http://www.msif.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Atlas-of-MS.pdf 3 Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Atlas of MS 2013. Epidemiology of MS. Date Accessed: July 9, 2014. http://www.msif.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Atlas-of-MS.pdf 4 NMSS. MS Prevalence. Date Accessed: March 20, 2015. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-the-society/ms-prevalence/index.aspx 5 NMSS. Relapsing-Remitting MS. Date accessed: March 20, 2015. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS/Relapsing-remitting-MS 6 NMSS. Progressive-Relapsing MS. Date accessed: March 20, 2015. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS/Progressive-relapsing-MS
|