Learning Network for MS Aims To Improve Care, Advance Research by Sharing Info

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is collaborating with the Chronic Health Improvement Program (CHIRP) at Dartmouth Health and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to launch the Multiple Sclerosis Implementation Network (MSIN).

The MSIN is a patient-centered, multicenter learning health network designed to help providers support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) through research collaboration and data sharing. Goals of this first-of-its-kind initiative include developing a research-driven data environment; improving patient care, experience, and outcomes by using improvement and implementation approaches; helping to close healthcare disparity gaps by advocating for treatment access for all people living with MS across all practice settings and locations; supporting MS care providers; and improving clinical outcomes for people with MS.

During the first year, the initiative will enroll 12 sites selected to represent geographic, practice (general neurologist versus MS specialist), and patient demographic diversity. The participating centers will be linked with healthcare professionals throughout the United States. The hope is that by sharing de-identified patient data and outcomes within the network, care centers and practitioners will learn more about ways to improve care and health outcomes while simultaneously contributing to research.

The project will receive guidance from two advisory boards, one made up of people with MS and their care partners, and the other includes healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates.

Details regarding the MSIN were presented in an e-poster at the 17th World Congress on Controversies in Neurology in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in March 2023.

Brant Oliver, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., director of CHIRP and associate professor at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, will serve as principal investigator. He said in a press release, “MSIN ​is an exciting forward-thinking, cutting-edge ​initiative that is first-of-its-kind in ​​multiple sclerosis. It will leverage the very best of what improvement, implementation science, care experience, and futuristic technology can accomplish. We will ​​use a​​​​ learning ​​​​health network ​​​​approach to ​​create a​n environment of support and collaboration, which​ will ​​amplify our ability to simultaneously ​​improve care, implement​​ evidence-based interventions, and study ​​MS care in a way that is ​​driven by the​​ needs and voices of people​​ with MS. I am honored to serve as principal investigator for this promising initiative.”