TiMS self-reported assessment tool

Often Medical, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and Nursing consultations are time limited and patients, as well as clinicians, can feel they have not fully addressed all the needs of the individual. One solution to this is to ask the patients in advance of their consultation what issues they are currently concerned about and to rate these in order of priority. However, some patients can find it challenging to articulate the many ways in which MS may affect them. A structured self-reported assessment tool, which highlights specific symptoms or functional areas which MAY affect people, could be helpful to them to get the most out of their clinical appointment.

The Therapists in Multiple Sclerosis (TiMS) national working group have produced an MS self-reported assessment tool for people with MS. This tool has been designed based on recommendations made in the NICE Guideline for the Management of MS (2014). The content has been reviewed and approved by TiMS working group members and the UK MS Specialist Nurse Association (UKMSSNA), and has been piloted obtaining feedback from medical staff, AHP’s and nurses. It offers a patient centred approach providing individuals an opportunity to self-evaluate their MS and to use this information during consultations with their MDT.

It is envisaged that services will use the tool in different ways depending on their own models of care, but it is hoped it will be available in either paper format or for download by people with MS or health care professionals as a document that can be used in advance of or during consultations.

Pilot studies

An initial phase 1 pilot evaluation of this tool was undertaken to explore the professional perspective, demonstrating that the tool was feasible to implement, and valued as an adjunct to practice. View the phase 1 findings

The aim of the second phase was to explore the views of people with MS regarding acceptability of the assessment tool, and whether they considered it added value to the review process. View the phase 2 findings