Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is characterized by axonal degeneration and gradual loss of neurological function. MS significantly impacts the lives of individuals with the disease and their families. Recent advances in the understanding of the immunopathology and management of MS have made this field of care dynamic and challenging.
In the 8 years since the second edition of Comprehensive Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis was published, the role of the nurse has evolved from that of supportive caregiver to include educator, researcher, and patient advocate. Nurses are challenged to go beyond traditional symptom management and assist the patient and family in addressing issues such as the psychosocial impact of the disease, risk or benefit evaluation of new therapies, and negotiating the health care system.
This book begins with a comprehensive overview of MS starting with a case study. This real world approach allows the reader to identify with issues faced by nurses every day. Current information about the pathophysiology and epidemiology of MS is reviewed and the reader will be updated about current diagnostic criteria and care patterns in MS. A wellness model approach is highlighted in the care of people with MS. Implementing the concept of hope into practice describes how nurses are now in a position to integrate the concept of hope into the clinical management of a disease once thought to be hopeless.
Acting as an advocate for patients and their families, nurses can enable the patient to navigate the complex health care system today. The International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN) formally identifies patient advocacy as an organizational responsibility. It considers advocacy a fundamental role of the MS nurse and a commitment that must be shared by all health care providers involved in helping patients along their MS journey. This approach fully encompasses the concept of hope so vital in the lives of patients with MS.
Patients with MS today have increased access to information about the disease from many sources including the World Wide Web. The nurse in the role of educator is increasingly challenged to assist patients in understanding the information they gather and evaluate its credibility.
Part II of the text focuses on managing the disease and its symptoms and promoting healthy coping. In addition to a comprehensive review of current symptom management, this part includes new chapters. Incorporating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in practice is covered in detail. Increasingly, nurses are seeing the use of CAM by patients with MS who are seeking additional options to help manage their symptoms and their lives. MS nurses must keep abreast of the various CAM therapies to better educate and advocate for their patients. The pediatric population is explored in another new chapter. As our understanding of the pathology of the disease increases and our diagnostic abilities increase, we are all facing special populations including pediatrics. This chapter comprehensively covers issues such as developmental considerations and treatment challenges specific to the pediatric population.
Outcomes in the care and management of people with MS are a high priority in health care today. This section focuses on rehabilitation, managing resources, and maximizing the effectiveness of pharmacotherapeutics. A comprehensive pharmacology overview allows the reader to explore managing relapses and symptoms. The appendixes provide a list of various treatments along with the associated nursing care priorities.
This text differs from others on MS because it explores current issues that face patients, their families, and care provider today in the era of global uncertainty and managed care. Prevention of complications in the disabled, rehabilitation approaches to disease management, as well as women’s issues are explored along with current nursing implications. The use of the case study approach is particularly useful in bringing the real world of MS challenges to light.
Comprehensive Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis is the collaborative effort of many health care professionals edited by June Halper and Nancy J. Holland. Their many years of experience in the field of MS and their commitment to MS nursing are evident in every chapter. This book represents the most current information on the care of patients with MS and their families. This will be an unparalleled resource for all nurses caring for patients with MS and their families. Thank you, June and Nancy, for updating this wonderful contribution to the MS literature.
Book features:
- Uses detailed case studies to highlight the various roles of the MS nurse: the care provider, facilitator, advocate, educator, counselor, and innovator.
- Incorporates the Morgante Conceptual Framework of Hope into every chapter.
- Provides practical guidance on disease and symptom management, alternative medicine, sexuality and family planning, and pediatric patients.
- Discusses how to maximize the effectiveness of pharmacotherapeutics.
About the Author
- June Halper, MSN, RN, FAAN, is Founder and Board Member of the Foundation of the Consortium of MS Centers and Executive Director of International Organization of MS Nursing MS International Credentialing Board. She also was Founder and past Executive Director of Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center Holy Names Hospital, and was Founder and Executive Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Network of NJ. She has delivered over 100 presentations nationally and internationally, has participated in more than 30 research projects, has published over 35 articles and books, including three books on MS Nursing. Additionally, she is a member of 16 professional organizations, has received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Seton Hall University, and has been inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing.
- Nancy Joyce Holland, EdD, RN, MSCN, in 2009 retired from her role as vice president of Clinical Programs at the National MS Society in New York, where she served in various capacities since 1988, including as national director and later vice president of Chapter and Community Services and vice president of Client and Community Services. Previous to these positions, Dr. Holland was coordinator of Clinical Services and director of training at the Medical Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for MS at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, and worked in Thoracic, Orthopedic, and Acute Medicine at Hospital of Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1968-1974) and later as nurse specialist in Neurology- Neurosurgery and coordinator of Clinical Services, MS Treatment Center, St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY (1974-1979). Dr. Holland earned her MA (1987) and EdD (1992) in Higher and Adult Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, earned her MA (1977) in Delivery of Nursing Services from New York University (NYU), and is certifi ed as an MS nurse (MSCN) and as MS specialists in information and resources (MSIR). Dr. Holland is well-published, having published more than 60 journal articles on various aspects of MS along with 8 books (including the previous editions of this proposed revision), Multiple Sclerosis for Dummies (2007/Wiley), and several books for patients and caregivers.
Contents
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
- 1. An Overview of Multiple Sclerosis
- 2. Integrating the Concept of Hope Into Clinical Practice
- 3. Educating the Patient and Family
- 4. Providing Advocacy for the Patient With Multiple Sclerosis
PART II: MANAGING THE DISEASE AND ITS SYMPTOMS AND PROMOTING HEALTHY COPING
- 5. Providing Culturally Competent Care
- 6. Managing and Minimizing Symptoms
- 7. Managing Elimination Dysfunction
- 8. Addressing Risk Factors Across the Disease Spectrum
- 9. Incorporating Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Symptom Management
- 10. Addressing Psychosocial Issues
- 11. Acknowledging Sexuality and Implementing Family Planning
- 12. Working With the Pediatric Patient Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis
PART III: IMPROVING OUTCOMES
- 13. Collaborating With the Rehabilitation Team
- 14. Maximizing the Effectiveness of Pharmacotherapeutics
PART IV: TARGETED RESOURCES
- Appendix A. Managing Resources
- Appendix B. Managing Multiple Sclerosis Relapses and Symptoms: Pharmacology Overview
Index
Product Details
- Paperback: 296 pages
- Publisher: Springer Publishing Company; 3 edition (August 30, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0826118526
- ISBN-13: 978-0826118523
- Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches