Improving the quality of life for multiple sclerosis patients using the nurse-based home visiting model

Multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers have a high prevalence of co-morbidity associated with poor quality of life, high health care costs and increased risk for adverse outcomes. These patients are often lacking in optimal home care, which may result in subsequent hospital readmissions. However, a specific nurse-based home visiting model for patients with MS is not yet available in Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nursing interventions according to The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). Using the NANDA guidelines, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of home visit nursing interventions on the many challenges and quality-of-life (QOL) issues faced by patients with MS.

This study used a pretest-posttest experimental group design. The study sample of 45 patients with MS, who had previously registered with the MS Society, had 21 participants in the intervention group and 24 in the control group. Data were collected with the 'General Questionnaire Form' and 'Symptom Evaluation Form' and 'Multiple Sclerosis Quality-of-Life Scale' (MSQOL-54). The NANDA classification system of care plans for conducting eight home visits with the intervention group was also used. Our intervention would identify symptoms, give training, consulting and care services and be able to recognize when referrals to other medical professionals might be necessary. The control group would receive the usual care with just two visits.

There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the MSQOL-54P score change (p = 0.02), but a nonsignificant difference for the MSQOL-54M.

This model helped to achieve an improvement trend in the QOL scores of the MS patient intervention group. This home visit model can also be used to increase the quality of care and quality of life for patients with MS.