Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) typically work with a wide range of specialists to address their health needs. However, specialists don’t always operate as a team. Carlo Tornatore, MD Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center http://gumc.georgetown.edu and his team will work hand-in-hand with primary care physicians and patients that will be participating in a medical home study for MS patients.
The medical home study called MS-ADVANCE will enroll 500 patients to study whether a medical home approach produces better outcomes than the standard medical practice for MS patients. In addition, the medical home model will reward physicians for prevention and comprehensive care over what is described as the standard fee-for-service compensation.
According to Dr. Tornatore, “The team will address all of the medical issues affecting their patients. As a team, we can make a comprehensive plan to tailor the treatment, given the patient’s health condition.”
Patients and physicians will keep in touch through a secure web portal in addition to phone calls, emails, questionnaires, and clinic visits to receive a comprehensive, ongoing physical and mental view of each patient’s health. In addition, patients will be able to log their medication use daily, along with changing health issues which can be shared in real-time with their physician.
MS-ADVANCE is supported by a sponsored research agreement from Biogen a biotechnology company that specialized in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. If successful, the medical home model for MS care can be adapted for many brain and nerve disorders.