What is Multiple Sclerosis? Learn more from the MWMS Clinic.

Exactly what is Multiple Sclerosis?
One of the mysteries of modem science is the cause and cure of Multiple Sclerosis, a puzzling disease of the central nervous system. While patterns of the disease are discernable, there are no two patients with the same health history and symptoms. Short of having the same disease, any two MS patients generally share little else.

MS has definite auto-immune characteristics, meaning that the patient's own cells are at war with each other. The resulting symptoms span a wide range, from vision problems to total immobility. In between the two extremes are various degrees of speech difficulties, balance and coordination problems, incontinence, and muscle tremors. MS usually affects people between ages 20 and 40.

Because of these symptoms, the MS patient is often isolated. In addition, the MS patient must regularly see more than one medical specialist to monitor all the problems associated with the disease. It is usually necessary to cover a lot of ground to visit this wide variety of specialists in their various locations. A feeling of hopelessness can interfere with the patient's prognosis. Those who treat MS patients agree that attitude can make a difference. No matter what stage of the disease the patient is in, no medication can lessen the problems more than an upbeat state of mind.

But there is a Catch 22. Faced with the isolation of the disease and the travel required for treatment, an upbeat attitude is very difficult to maintain. At least it was until the founding of the MetroWest MS Clinic.

History of the MWMS Clinic
Dave Hatch was a young father, husband, and engineer at GTE when he first experienced the symptoms of MS 38 years ago. After ten years of seeing a variety of medical specialists and making many trips to Boston, the need to consolidate the medical services in one place became apparent. Dave began discussing this idea with Framingham neurologist, Dr. Arthur Safran. The concept of a multi-disciplinary MS Clinic was born.

By locating a variety of specialists in one place, the MetroWest MS Clinic solves the problem of constant and wide ranging travel for the MS patient.

Here are some of the medical specialists available at the clinic.
For a current list of the Staff Members at the MWMS Clinic, click here.

The Neurologist
The chief medical member of the MS Clinic is the neurologist. A typical visit to the clinic includes a complete neurological medical exam.

The Nurse Coordinator
A major part of the health care program in the clinic is the continuity of care. In between clinic visits, the nurse coordinator handles questions or concerns. She is the link with the neurologist. She is also the link with the wide range of medical services available.

When providing direct services, the continuing care nurse looks at the client's need for support service, functional status, need for supplies or equipment, transportation to clinic, health insurance reimbursement, and psychosocial and socioeconomic factors that impact on the plan of care.

The plan of care is developed with the involvement of the patient, the family, and the team members. Verbal information and written patient care referral forms are given to community agencies when the plan is implemented. Patients are encouraged to report problems to the continuing care nurse who will resolve the problems.

The Social Worker
Working with MS patients and their families, the social worker coordinates needs with services. The goal is to reduce the amount of stress for patients and families. Locating social, rehabilitative, or financial services, and counseling individuals and family members, the social worker is an important member of the Clinic team.

The Psychiatric Consultant
The MS Clinic psychiatrist evaluates each new patient and re-evaluates established patients.

The Psychologist
The staff Psychologist also evaluates new patients and provides on-going counseling as necessary. The effects of a disease like Multiple Sclerosis often extend beyond just the patient. Family members, especially children, of the patient often need counseling to help explain and cope with the mysteries of MS. Our staff Psychologist is a specialist regarding the effect of MS on families and in fact, wrote his PhD. Thesis on this very subject!

The Physical Therapist
The physical therapist works with the occupational therapist to determine the patient's current physical abilities and how to best make use of them. The initial visit provides a baseline of the patient's performance. Periodic follow up visits are done on an individual basis. Referrals for more intensive therapy can be made to any out-patient facility or home care facility.

The Occupational Therapist
The safety and independence of an MS patient are the main concern of the occupational therapist. The therapist evaluates the patient's visual, perceptual, cognitive, and oral/motion skills. Based on this evaluation, the therapist can help the patient perform the various activities of daily life.

Peer Counselors
A group of patients in the Clinic have trained as peer counselors. While waiting to see various specialists, patients often visit with the peer counselors. Frequently, the conversation turns to common concerns about MS. The peer counselors often provide their own personal experiences with the disease and hints on how to deal with specific symptoms.

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		Exactly what is Multiple Sclerosis? One of the mysteries of modem science is the cause and cure of Multiple Sclerosis, a puzzling disease of the central nervous system. While patterns of the disease are discernable, there are no two patients with the same health history and symptoms. Short of having the same disease, any two MS patients generally share little else. MS has definite auto-immune characteristics, meaning that the patient's own cells are at war with each other. The resulting symptoms span a wide range, from vision problems to total immobility. In between the two extremes are various degrees of speech difficulties, balance and coordination problems, incontinence, and muscle tremors. MS usually affects people between ages 20 and 40. Because of these symptoms, the MS patient is often isolated. In addition, the MS patient must regularly see more than one medical specialist to monitor all the problems associated with the disease. It is usually necessary to cover a lot of ground to visit this wide variety of specialists in their various locations. A feeling of hopelessness can interfere with the patient's prognosis. Those who treat MS patients agree that attitude can make a difference. No matter what stage of the disease the patient is in, no medication can lessen the problems more than an upbeat state of mind. But there is a Catch 22. Faced with the isolation of the disease and the travel required for treatment, an upbeat attitude is very difficult to maintain. At least it was until the founding of the MetroWest MS Clinic. History of the MWMS Clinic Dave Hatch was a young father, husband, and engineer at GTE when he first experienced the symptoms of MS 38 years ago. After ten years of seeing a variety of medical specialists and making many trips to Boston, the need to consolidate the medical services in one place became apparent. Dave began discussing this idea with Framingham neurologist, Dr. Arthur Safran. The concept of a multi-disciplinary MS Clinic was born. By locating a variety of specialists in one place, the MetroWest MS Clinic solves the problem of constant and wide ranging travel for the MS patient. Here are some of the medical specialists available at the clinic. For a current list of the Staff Members at the MWMS Clinic, click here. The Neurologist The chief medical member of the MS Clinic is the neurologist. A typical visit to the clinic includes a complete neurological medical exam. The Nurse Coordinator A major part of the health care program in the clinic is the continuity of care. In between clinic visits, the nurse coordinator handles questions or concerns. She is the link with the neurologist. She is also the link with the wide range of medical services available. When providing direct services, the continuing care nurse looks at the client's need for support service, functional status, need for supplies or equipment, transportation to clinic, health insurance reimbursement, and psychosocial and socioeconomic factors that impact on the plan of care. The plan of care is developed with the involvement of the patient, the family, and the team members. Verbal information and written patient care referral forms are given to community agencies when the plan is implemented. Patients are encouraged to report problems to the continuing care nurse who will resolve the problems. The Social Worker Working with MS patients and their families, the social worker coordinates needs with services. The goal is to reduce the amount of stress for patients and families. Locating social, rehabilitative, or financial services, and counseling individuals and family members, the social worker is an important member of the Clinic team. The Psychiatric Consultant The MS Clinic psychiatrist evaluates each new patient and re-evaluates established patients. The Psychologist The staff Psychologist also evaluates new patients and provides on-going counseling as necessary. The effects of a disease like Multiple Sclerosis often extend beyond just the patient. Family members, especially children, of the patient often need counseling to help explain and cope with the mysteries of MS. Our staff Psychologist is a specialist regarding the effect of MS on families and in fact, wrote his PhD. Thesis on this very subject! The Physical Therapist The physical therapist works with the occupational therapist to determine the patient's current physical abilities and how to best make use of them. The initial visit provides a baseline of the patient's performance. Periodic follow up visits are done on an individual basis. Referrals for more intensive therapy can be made to any out-patient facility or home care facility. The Occupational Therapist The safety and independence of an MS patient are the main concern of the occupational therapist. The therapist evaluates the patient's visual, perceptual, cognitive, and oral/motion skills. Based on this evaluation, the therapist can help the patient perform the various activities of daily life. Peer Counselors A group of patients in the Clinic have trained as peer counselors. While waiting to see various specialists, patients often visit with the peer counselors. Frequently, the conversation turns to common concerns about MS. The peer counselors often provide their own personal experiences with the disease and hints on how to deal with specific symptoms.
	If you have any questions or comments about The MetroWest MS Clinic please give us a call at 508-383-8675 or contact us by email.