Listening to the neurological teams for multiple sclerosis: the SMART project

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Healthcare Professionals
• Quality of Life

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) care requires dedicated professionals.
• Understanding the well-being of healthcare providers in MS is crucial for sustained patient care.
• Compassion fatigue is a recognized risk in high-stress medical fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the quality of life for Italian neurologists and nurses caring for MS patients.
• To explore their clinical practice experiences.
• To identify indicators of compassion fatigue within these professional groups.

Main Methods:

• A quali-quantitative online survey was administered to 105 neurologists and nurses across 30 Italian MS centers.
• The survey included the Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Test and narrative data collection.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, complemented by narrative medicine analysis.

Main Results:

• Neurologists reported higher burnout risks, citing intensive workloads, staffing shortages, and job insecurity.
• Nurses expressed greater satisfaction but noted space limitations and cross-professional role risks for compassion fatigue.
• Both positive and negative care relationships impacted professionals' quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Neurological teams require strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue, which can emerge early in careers.
• Increased awareness among scientific societies and managers is needed to address the high risk of compassion fatigue among neurologists.
• Preventative measures are essential to support the well-being of MS healthcare professionals.