RethinkingMS presented at EAN Congress 2020

The European Brain Council (EBC) currently has a number of ongoing activities, with a few centred around Multiple Sclerosis, including the recently launched Rethinking MS reports and the EU-funded MULTI-ACT project.

The Rethinking MS project, which was launched virtually (due to COVID-19) on the occasion of Brain Awareness Week this year, aims to create greater visibility for the unmet needs experienced by people with MS, with a particular focus on three key areas: timely diagnosis and personalised treatment; interdisciplinary and coordinated care; and adaptable support in daily life, including rehabilitation and social protection.

The European Brain Council (EBC) and The Health Policy Partnership (HPP) have been working together to create Rethinking MS since 2018. EBC and HPP collaborated with experts from across Europe to build an interdisciplinary consensus around practical and sustainable policy responses to MS at the European level. This formed the basis of the core report, Rethinking MS in Europe: prioritising integrated services for people with multiple sclerosis. Building on the findings from the 2017 Value of Treatment report, this pan-European policy narrative identifies key challenges in MS care and makes recommendations for how they can be addressed.

As different countries face specific challenges, the project also took an in-depth look at country level, focused on Denmark, Italy, Romania and Spain. The additional dedicated reports on each country provide a more specific analysis of MS policy, care and support available for people with MS in each country.

The project was further introduced during the European Academy of Neurology Congress taking place 23-26 May 2020 with a Scientific Theatre session on 24 May. A similar session, introducing the MULTI-ACT Patient Engagement Guidelines also took place on 25 May.