OLD LYME, CT — JANUARY 8, 2016 — In 2015, to advance the knowledge and adoption of state-of-the-art MS care, the Advances in Multiple Sclerosis (AIMS) curriculum zeroed in on special considerations specifically related to women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and practical rehabilitation topics and techniques. According to survey data obtained through 6 AIMS activities, due to the continued prevalence of MS and the ongoing advances in the diagnosis and management of the disease, neurologists and other health care providers continue to recognize the need to “keep abreast of new developments on emerging therapies for MS.”
The numerous challenges, best practices, and special considerations specifically related to women with MS can be challenging for any clinician. Recent data estimate that MS occurs 3 times more often in women, and this ratio appears to be increasing over time. For clinicians interested in learning more about family planning, managing pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause specific to women with MS, certified multi-media webcourses, podcasts, and patient tools are now easily accessible and available on-demand.
Additionally, to help increase awareness of the wide variety of rehabilitation interventions and techniques that can be implemented to optimize our patients’ functional status and quality of life and in turn enhance patient access to rehabilitation, the AIMS curriculum offers a detailed, downloadable primer. As an integral part of comprehensive MS care, we compiled state-of-the-art information regarding the rehabilitation approach in the management of major symptoms of MS, including mobility and related impairments, cognitive limitations, speech and swallowing disturbance, and a variety of health and wellness issues. The focus on practical topics, the clarity and thoroughness of the material presented, and the inclusion of case scenarios to illustrate how this information can be used in clinical practice make this primer an invaluable tool for clinicians of all disciplines who are involved in the care of MS patients.
Four years ago, the France Foundation, in collaboration with the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and Nurse Practitioner Alternatives (NPA), created AIMS, a multidisciplinary accredited medical education initiative to meet the needs of the expanding area of MS medicine. Since then, AIMS has morphed into an expansive, award-winning curriculum attracting a growing number of unique users. It has delivered education on a vast list of topics including, but not limited to, diagnosis and personalized treatment options, patient adherence, evaluation measures and adherence assessments, mobility issues, and now special populations and rehabilitation! To learn more about the AIMS certified educational offerings, coaching, and patient education tools, visit us today at www.cmeAIMS.org.
