Women’s Experiences of Managing Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with Disease Modifying Drugs: A Dissertation

摘要: Purpose: To describe the experience of managing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis among adult women users injectable disease modifying drugs, including day-to-day management, medication beliefs, and health care provider influence. Rationale/Significance study: Approximately 85% 400,000 Americans with have (RRMS), characterized by unpredictable relapses partial or full remissions neurological symptoms. Untreated, RRMS may progress to permanent, irreversible disability decreased quality life. Current guidelines recommend immediate sustained treatment drugs (DMDs). However, despite pronounced modest benefits, approximately 30%-62% patients are not undergoing DMD therapy. A small number quantitative studies identified factors that predict adherence DMDs. little is known about DMDs from patients’ perspectives. It important develop an understanding in order for providers provide ongoing education, counseling, support. Organizing Framework: The framework, Beliefs About Medicines, was used guide study. Design: Qualitative descriptive design. Setting: Data were collected who received MS clinic, a neurology practice, through snowball sampling. Sample: Purposive theoretical sampling recruit 32 RRMS. Maximum variation ensured appropriate breadth depth experiences.