Pharmacist-Implemented Self-Management Module in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice
• Neurology and Clinical Trials

Background:

• Self-management is crucial for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Existing self-management support may not fully address patient needs.
• Developing effective, multidisciplinary modules is essential for improving MS patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance self-management abilities in multiple sclerosis patients.
• To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-developed self-management module.
• To assess improvements in medication adherence and patient engagement.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 200 MS patients (102 intervention, 98 control).
• Implementation of a pharmacist-led educational self-management module focusing on medication adherence, problem management, and self-directed activities.
• Assessment using the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Revised scale and patient interviews over 8 months.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a significant increase in self-management scores (from 68.9 to 79.0, p < 0.001).
• The self-management module significantly improved medication adherence, perception of care, and patient engagement (p < 0.001).
• The median intervention duration was 11 minutes.

Conclusions:

• A pharmacist-implemented self-management module effectively enhances patient engagement and medication adherence in MS.
• This intervention demonstrates potential for improving self-management in diverse patient populations.
• Tailored self-management interventions may benefit individuals with lower self-management abilities, such as older adults or those with lower educational attainment.