MS Care Center Personnel Support
National MS Society, New York City – Southern New York Chapter
Shari Alpert, Vice President, Major Gifts
1 year, $63,124
Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease, not just because science believes there are many pieces that come together to trigger MS, but also because symptoms vary widely from person to person, as does their severity and timing. Clinicians treating MS manage not only the disease, but also the symptoms of the disease that can range from numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, to extreme fatigue, loss of mobility, and cognitive dysfunction.
The New York City – Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society firmly believes that the comprehensive care model provided at MS Care Centers helps patients better manage the disease and cope with its ramifications. These centers provide people with MS an opportunity to receive specialized services including diagnosis, disease management, therapeutic care, education, counseling, physical, occupational and speech therapy. The chapter funds licensed social workers and specially-trained nurses at nine local Comprehensive MS Care Centers, including one at Mount Sinai Medical Center. The Care Centers dedicate themselves to providing comprehensive patient care in a comfortable patient- and family-friendly environment and employ a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach through relevant clinical departments. They employ a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach through relevant clinical departments. In addition, patients who are treated at the MS Care Centers are offered access to the most current information about MS treatment initiatives, including the availability of clinical trials in the New York City area.
The New York City – Southern New York Chapter ensures that trained social workers and nurses are available, based on each Center's patient volume. Centers must maintain agreed-to standards of affiliation in order to be supported by the chapter and strict evaluations are done on a regular basis to assure that the standards are being met. In addition to providing financial support, the chapter creates learning and networking opportunities for the Care Center nursing and social work staff. MS Care Centers are visited at least once per year by the chapter President and the Executive Vice President of Programs, Services and Advocacy. In addition, the chapter's Senior Program Director of Counseling Services visits each Center annually, communicates with the Center social workers biweekly via phone, mail or email, and has in-person meetings with the Center social workers as a group one to two times a year. New nursing staff and social workers are oriented and mentored to ensure the highest level of professional support.
Services Provided by Social Workers
The role of a Licensed Social Worker is to connect a patient at an MS Care Center to community and chapter programs and services and to provide counseling through the ups-and-downs of an MS diagnosis. The social workers facilitate patient and family adjustment to the acceptance of MS and assist with decisions regarding ongoing self and caregiver needs. The types of services provided by the Care Center social workers include:
- Counseling: Individual and family assessments, referrals for depression or anxiety, and crisis intervention counseling are offered. MS is a debilitating and isolating experience and many patients reach out for help and request some type of therapy. In addition to short-term crisis intervention, the social worker also provides in-office psycho-social counseling sessions to clients in need.
- Entitlement Consultations: Assessments and assistance in procuring entitlement benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, public assistance and Social Security Disability are provided by the social worker, in addition to counseling, advocacy and referrals about these issues.
- Case Management: Assessments, planning and coordination of patients' needs and current services, and assistance with long-term care issues and financial management are furnished. Individuals seen on an outpatient basis who need more extensive assistance, including in-home visitation, are referred to the chapter.
- Home Care Options: Assessment of the need for home care and assistance in procuring home care services are performed by the social worker, as well as follow-up interactions with home care providers.
- Disability Issues: Facilitation of appropriate documentation and patient referrals to government agencies are provided to obtain disability benefits. The social worker counsels the patient through the procurement process and with emotional adjustments regarding their disability. Advocacy with government agencies is also provided.
- Equipment and Supply Needs: Management of medical equipment and/or supply needs is given by exploring insurance benefits, completing appropriate documentation, and providing referrals to vendors and the chapter.
- Transportation: Assistance is provided to coordinate transportation to and from the Care Center and other medical appointments, and to complete Access-A-Ride applications to ensure transportation accessibility within the city.
- Additional Referrals: Referrals are made for physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation and psychiatric services. In addition, many patients are referred to the chapter for additional programs and services.
Services Provided by Nurses
The role of an advanced practice nurse in MS care has grown as nurses continue to gain expertise in the field, and comprehensive care centers recognize the value they add to coordinated care. The role of the nurse goes well beyond the traditional notions for the field and services provided by the nurses include:
- Clinician: Timely coordination of clinical tests, hospital admissions and procedures, and injection training and side effect management for the disease modifying therapies.
- Educator: Teaching various audiences about MS, including patients and their families, physicians and allied health professionals, students, employers and members of the community.
- Consultant: Internally addressing the needs of patients, staff, nurses and other health care professionals while externally assisting the nursing profession, specialty organizations and health systems outside of the practice setting.
- Researcher: Nurses often take a very active role in clinical practice research, developing practice guidelines and reviewing outcome and performance measures.