An expert patient program for people living with multiple sclerosis improves knowledge and empowerment: a pre-test, post-test multicenter implementation study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with complex needs and demands, which require patient-centered care. Expert patient (EP) programs foster knowledge transfer through peer learning, facilitating patients' empowerment to self-manage their disease. Based on a previous focus group study, we designed an EP program for MS coordinated by nursing professionals for implementation in the different MS reference units of Catalonia (Southwestern Europe). This study aimed to deploy a nurse-led Expert Patient Program of Catalonia™ (EPPC) for people with MS and evaluate its impact on disease-related knowledge, empowerment, and health indicators.

Methods

Pre-test, post-test interventional, multicenter study conducted between January 2021 and December 2023 (NCT NCT04988880). Si

SUBMITTER: Robles-Sanchez MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12071084 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature