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What is an MS clinic and what is the range of services one can access there?

The MS Clinics are medical clinics specialized in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis. These clinics are staffed by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have specialized training and/ or skills needed for optimal MS care. To be recognized by the MS Society, the MS Clinics need to show evidence of a multidisciplinary approach. They have access to a number of health services such as psychiatry, occupational and physical therapy, and social work to name a few. Sometimes these services offer treatment, or sometimes they offer assessment and recommendations for follow-up with a local health care professional.

What is the value in seeking out services at an MS clinic?

The MS Clinics can offer assessment and recommendations for management that reflect best practice principles along a spectrum of multidisciplinary specialties. In addition, for people interested in participating in research, the Canadian MS Clinics are the place where the majority of clinical research done in Canada is carried out.

How often should a person visit an MS clinic?

This varies. Generally visits are scheduled every year to 18 months, resources permitting. Sometimes more frequent visits are planned as, for example in the case of assessing medication or other medical intervention, management of an attack (also called a flare-up or exacerbation).

In many cases however, the MS Clinic can offer advice to the family doctor or community neurologist on managing these issues once they have done a baseline assessment.

How does a person get a referral to a clinic? What types of medical professionals can make referrals to an MS clinic?

Most commonly, referral to an MS clinic may be done by either a family physician or a community neurologist. A referral must be made by a physician. In the referral process, arrangements are made to send your medical information to the MS Clinic.

What can I expect when I visit and MS Clinic?

This depends on what the visit is for. If it is a first visit, it will be focussed on diagnosing, or confirming an existing diagnosis. Usually patients to the clinic will see a nurse who will screen for any special needs that may be present, and who will also try to determine any educational or information needs that may be addressed. When seeing the physician, a thorough history and neurological exam will be conducted, as well as a review of the history as documented by the referring physician. In some cases, more tests may be needed to confirm diagnosis or to evaluate a finding. In some cases the patient will be asked to sign a release so that the Clinic may obtain missing information.

Most of the Canadian MS Clinics are located in hospitals, many of which are teaching institutions. Medical students and/or residents may also be involved with patient visits.

At follow up visits, special attention is given to any changes since the last visit and assessment includes consideration of any interventions that may be helpful.

What happens next once the visit is over? Who gets the results of the visit sent to them?

Once the visit is over, a summary of the visit is sent back to the referring physician. This summary will include any recommendations for changes or additions, or may even request that referring doctor arrange for follow up testing of one sort or another in the event that more information is needed to complete the assessment. Clinic staff continue to be available to support you with additional information and/or support you may require.

Do I have the right to request copies of all my test results? What should I do with this information?

The short answer is yes, but depending on the institution, you may be asked to sign a release form. Test results are typically returned to the referring physician, and may also be copied to the family physician and /or community neurologist.