The Calgary Multiple Sclerosis (MS) program was established in 1976 at the Foothills Medical Centre to provide expert subspecialty care to individuals affected by MS. The progrtam was expanded at the South Health Campus in September of 2012 to improve care access in response to a growing patient population and to increase access to new complex disease modifying therapies. Together both clinics serve more than 5000 patients distributed between the two sites. There is an aim to adhere to a two-clinic one-united MS program philosophy, and the overall goal is to ensure MS patients receive the same components and quality of care at both sites.

Both clinics uses a multidisciplinary approach to fulfill a patient-centred care model. These disciplines include administrative support staff, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, psychologists/neuropsychologist, social workers, psychiatrists, physiatrists, and neurologists distributed between the two sites. At the Foothills Medical Centre, the allied health disciplines are organized under the umbrella of the “Outpatient Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis” (OPTIMUS) program. At the South Health Campus, patient rehabilitation needs are met by a group of allied health professionals that may also serve other subspecialty programs. During a clinic visit a patient may have interactions clerical support, neurologist or nurse practitioner, clinic nurse or a member of the allied health team. All professionals deliver education as part of their treatment plan, and due to the chronic nature of MS, all members have continuing educational responsibilities with patients throughout their illness trajectory. Each site utilizes a range of patient education strategies including short clinic sessions with complementary written materials, and patient education classes held on the clinic site that deal with topics such as fatigue, exercise, mindfulness, bladder management, and spasticity management.

Although group based learning is valued by many patients who benefit from interaction with others, several patients have voiced concerns about only receiving in depth education by means of classes that are offered during working hours, and require time off work, travel, and parking costs to attend. We have decided to address these concerns by adding this series of podcasts to complement our existing patient education program.