Components of the intervention
| Part | Topic | Methods/materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Personal experiences | Introduction round focusing on patients’ and relatives’ experiences with early MS |
| 2 | Brochure | Short reflection on information derived from the brochure with the opportunity for questions |
| 3 | MS basics | PPP on pathology, relapses, progression and disease courses focusing on uncertainties |
| 4 | Diagnostic tests in MS | PPP on diagnostic criteria, dissemination in space and in time, first manifestations, CIS, focusing on uncertainties |
| 5 | Diagnostic test (general) | PPP on test accuracy, sensitivity and specificity |
| 6 | MRI | Exercise using MRI scans to determine MRI sequences and detect lesions |
| 7 | Personal diagnostic status and experiences | Guided discussion |
| BREAK | ||
| 8 | Prognostic studies (general) | PPP on cohort studies: population-based versus hospital-based studies |
| 9 | Prognosis in MS | PPP on prognosis, life expectancy, prognostic factors (age, disease courses, MRI) in MS, focusing on uncertainties |
| 10 | Personal prognostic markers | Guided discussion |
| 11 | Therapeutic efficacy studies (general) | PPP on principles and presentation of RCT (randomisation, relative vs absolute risk reduction, relevant vs surrogate endpoints) using an example of an approved interferon therapy |
| 12 | Therapeutic options in early MS | PPP on study results for pivotal and follow-up studies for early MS and CIS |
| 13 | Pros and cons of DMDs in early MS | Group discussion with participants randomly selected for pro- and contra-groups |
| 14 | Personal treatment decision making | Group discussion and individual work with decision trees |
| 15 | Reflection | Feedback round on personal relevance of the programme |
CIS, clinically isolated syndrome; DMD, disease modifying drug; MS, multiple sclerosis; PPP, PowerPoint presentation; RCT, randomised controlled trial.