[Imparting the diagnosis and educating patients with multiple sclerosis]

The neurologist must include the diagnosis announcement process in the comprehensive care of the MS patient. This process is standardized and adapted to the needs of each patient. It must integrate the pattern of psychological reactions following negative events and the adaptive strategies to a chronic disease. The announcement of the diagnosis, given by the neurologist, consists in technical information and emotional support, during a programmed discussion, at the adequate moment. The information must respond to the patient's needs, be easily understandable and given step by step according to the period of the disease. The neurologist is usually the first source of medical information followed by the MS societies and internet.