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We developed an online doctor-patient tool (MS-SUPPORT) to improve decisions about MS and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). We want to know if the tool affects the use of DMTs, patient-provider communication, quality of care, and quality of life. Your voluntary participation will also help us understand if MS-SUPPORT helps providers communicate with their MS patients.

What should I know about this research?

  • Adults with a relapsing form of MS are randomized to the intervention group (to view the online MS-SUPPORT before their clinic appointment) or to the control group (no access to MS SUPPORT).
  • MS-SUPPORT asks patients questions about how they manage their MS, how MS affects their life, and what matters to them. It provides tailored feedback and generates a short summary that includes their treatment goals and preferences, and adherence-related behaviors. The patient may or may not have shared the summary page with you at their recent clinical visit.
  • Your patient shared your name with us when he or she volunteered to participate in this study.
  • If you agree to participate, we ask you to evaluate the clinic visit, whether or not your patient received or shared the summary with you.
  • You may not know whether the patient is in the intervention or the control group.
  • The brief online evaluation will take approximately 2-3 minutes to complete. We will email you an online Amazon gift card ($75) upon completion for your time.
  • The study has been approved by a Central IRB and all participants have consented.
  • The study is sponsored by an independent contract research company (Shared Decision Making Resources) under a Scientific Research Agreement with EMD Serono in partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA).
  • MS- SUPPORT was pilot tested and found to help most patients with decision-making, communication, and preparation.* It helped providers improve the quality of care provided, the efficiency of the visit, and their knowledge of and interaction with the patient.

How long will I be in this research?

Your participation in this research will last for the few minutes it takes to complete this evaluation.

What happens to me if I agree to take part in this research?

During this study, you will be asked a few questions about yourself and the clinic visit with the patient in the MS-SUPPORT study. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

More about the Study:

Researchers: The Principal Investigator of the study is Nananda Col, MD, MPP, MPH, FACP.  This study is conducted by Shared Decision Making Resources in partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.

Funding: This study is supported through a collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Leadership and Innovation Network (MS-LINK™), an initiative led by EMD Serono.

If you would like to refer patients to the study, please contact us at MSstudy@SDMR.US. We also can mail you referral materials to make available to patients with relapsing forms of MS. To learn more about the study, view our website: www.MSstudy.org