NURSE'S SESSIONS

2020: International Year of the Nurse and Midwife; an IOMSN Celebration

2020 has been designated the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. The International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN), founded in 1997, embodies the best in nursing care of all those affected by MS over a lifetime, in many settings and under many circumstances. The content of two ninety-minute sessions represents key activities in comprehensive nursing care presented by IOMSN thought leaders.

Session 1: Advanced nursing activities
Saturday, September 12, 2020
11:00-12:30

The role of nursing in MS has expanded into new areas of care over the past several decades.  Integrative care with a wellness focus challenges the MS nurse to expand his or her skills and body of knowledge to include a wide scope of culturally sensitive, individualized interventions over the spectrum of MS. The population of MS has expanded to include younger and older patients again inspiring nursing professionals to band with other nursing specialists to learn together and collaborate to address new challenges wrought by MS plus physiologic changes.

Chairs: June Halper, CMSC/IOMSN/MSNICB; Colleen Harris, University of Calgary

NS1.1     Integrative medicine in MS: evidence for creating a paradigm shift to improve care; Megan R. Weigel, First Coast Integrative Medicine

NS1.2     Pediatric MS: caring for the young patient; Jennifer Boyd, The Hospital for Sick Children

NS1.3     Clinical implications for an aging MS population; Marijean Buhse, Stony Brook University

Session 2: Unique contributions of MS nursing
Sunday, September 13, 2020
11:15-12:45

IOMSN has established a lexicon of new terminology in MS care. Terms such as adherence have become a standard throughout the spectrum of care; best practices in MS in symptomatic care are accepted worldwide; and published information has provided the next generation of nursing professionals with reference material that adds to their body of knowledge in multiple sclerosis.

Chairs: Patricia Pagnotta, MS Center of Greater Orlando; Denise Bruen, James Q. Miller MS Center

NS2.1     Sustaining adherence to complex MS protocols; Amy Perrin Ross, Loyola University of Chicago

NS2.2     Best practices in MS nursing: advanced practice; Stephanie Agrella, Central Texas Neurology Consultants, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas

NS2.3     Evidence based practical guidelines; Marie Namey, Cleveland Clinic