“Digital technologies in the management of a pathology such as multiple sclerosis will be increasingly integrated into the doctor-patient relationship. There is no replacement, but integration. For some years we have been diagnosing millennials who are digital natives and use is normal for them. of smartphones also to interact with neurologists. An App like M3for example, supports doctors and their patients treated with oral therapy in cladribine tablets in managing adherence to therapy and follow-ups, as well as automatically scheduling appointments and exams “explains Luigi Lavorgna, neurologist Aou Vanvitelli University Naples and coordinator of the Digital study group of the Italian Society of Neurology (Sin), speaking on the sidelines of the event dedicated to multiple sclerosis ‘Echo in Ms’, promoted by Merck Italy, which brought together these days the Italian neurologists in Baveno (Verbano Cusio Ossola).
“M3 allows the neurologist to have a clear clinical view of the patient – Lavorgna continues – so as to monitor the effects of therapy and the course of the disease, as well as to manage the checks that the patient has to face during the treatment. The patient, on the other hand, is assisted by a push notification that reminds him when to take the drug, how to manage appointments, analyzes and scheduled visits. For doctors, the use of apps and devices that monitor the patient becomes part of the job. A person with multiple sclerosis – notes the neurologist – can live 40-50 years with the disease. Doctors can see the patient months later, but in the meantime they can know what happens between visits. This App, based on the results of the tests performed by the patient, can indicate whether the therapy is correct or whether it needs to be revised “.
Mia (Merck interaction App) was also presented at the meeting, an initiative aimed at bringing together neurologists specialized in multiple sclerosis in virtual classrooms to share opinions, questions and experiences of clinical practice with colleagues on a daily basis. “It is a peer-to-peer social network in which neurologists can exchange opinions with other doctors and deepen their skills, a sort of virtual visit tour”, summarizes Lavorgna. The need for this tool arises following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought out the need to restore the comparison and exchange of experiences, which have failed due to the emergency situation.
In June 2021 it is Mia’s pilot project started, created by the Impronta Group agency for Merck, in collaboration with Sebastiano Bucello, neurologist in charge of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of the UOSD Neurology of Augusta (Syracuse), among the first to highlight this need. “The App can be used to create any type of network interaction – points out Bucello – with regional, interregional, multidisciplinary and international groups. Each virtual room is open and managed by a coordinator who administers the invitation of colleagues. All information shared in the App are subject to privacy and confidentiality and Merck does not have access to the data that is exchanged between clinicians. At the end of this ‘pilot’, the goal is to extend Mia to other regional realities and other therapeutic areas, enhancing also the multidisciplinary comparison: for example, a neurologist will be able to discuss with a gynecologist to better evaluate the opportunities for a patient with a desire for parenthood “.
Multiple sclerosis affects young patients in the middle of their lives and their plans. It is normal for them to have many questions, also fueled by the fear of giving up their dreams and projects. For this reason, over the years, Merck has promoted numerous activities on digital technology.
Among the initiatives activated – remember a note – there is’Parents can, even with Sm‘: an initiative on the web, and on the social pages Facebook and Instagram, born in 2016 to answer the questions and fears of couples who want to have a child and in which one of the partners has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. SM.Posso.it is a virtual place where patients and their families can meet with doctors and experts. ‘Senza Se, senza Ma’ uses one of the most popular formats among the new generations: the podcast. Available on the Spotify platformoffers interviews and dialogues between experts and neurologists to answer the questions and doubts of those who face their challenges with multiple sclerosis every day.
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