Development and usability testing of your MS questionnaire: A patient-based digital tool to monitor symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Gavin Giovannoni - , Queen Mary University of London (Author)
  • Enrique Alvarez - , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (Author)
  • Ellen Tutton - , Shift.ms (Author)
  • Olaf Hoffmann - , Alexianer Hospital Postdam (Author)
  • Yan Xu - , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Author)
  • Patrick Vermersch - , Université de Lille (Author)
  • Celia Oreja-Guevara - , University Hospital San Carlos (Author)
  • Maria Trojano - , Polytechnic University of Bari (Author)
  • Ralf Gold - , Catholic Hospital Bochum gGmbH (Author)
  • René Robles-Cedeño - , Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Unit (Author)
  • Mudeer Khwaja - , Novartis Pharma AG (Author)
  • Bianca Stadler - , Novartis Pharma AG (Author)
  • Jo Vandercappellen - , Novartis Pharma AG (Author)
  • Tjalf Ziemssen - , Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We describe the development of Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire and present the real-world usability testing results of Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire.

METHODS: The Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire tool was developed in four stages to collect feedback from people living with MS (plwMS), patient organizations, and clinicians on content, format, and applicability. To assess its usability, 13 clinicians across 7 countries completed an online survey after using the tool with plwMS in a total of 261 consultations from September, 2020 to July, 2021.

RESULTS: The initial Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire version was based on findings from previous research developing MSProDiscuss™, a clinician-completed tool. Subsequently, insights from plwMS obtained during cognitive debriefing, patient councils and advisory boards led to changes including the addition of mood and sexual problems and the definition of relapse. All 13 clinicians completed the individual survey, whereas 10 clinicians completed the final survey. Clinicians "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire was easy to use and understand (98.5%; 257/261 patient consultations). The clinicians were willing to use the tool again with the same patient (98.1%; 256/261 patient consultations). All clinicians who completed the final survey (100%; 10/10) reported the tool to have a positive influence on their clinical practice, helped patients engage with their MS, facilitated discussion with patients, and complemented neurological assessment.

CONCLUSION: Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire benefits both plwMS and clinicians by facilitating a structured discussion and engaging the plwMS to self-monitor and self-manage. Your Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire is compatible with telemedicine practice and integration of the tool into electronic health records would enable tracking of the disease evolution and individual monitoring of MS symptoms over time.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20552076231173531
JournalDigital health
Volume9
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC10185975
Scopus 85159100534
Mendeley 8e962a84-a615-3241-a039-a999dec1ca06

Keywords