Winner
OptiMiSe: An Innovative Meetings-based Learning Journey for Clinical Behaviour Change among Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurses
Summary of work
The varied aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and individual responses to treatment, mean that optimal management demands a patient-centric approach. OptiMiSe for MS specialist nurses (MSSNs) is an innovative expert-led learning journey for clinical behaviour change, designed specifically to support MS nurses in delivering this patient-centric management to all patients. A thorough understanding of the barriers MSSNs face in providing optimal patient care, gained through a survey evaluating current clinical practice, has informed the OptiMiSe programme since its launch in 2016. Through annual standalone meetings, workshops and additional tools to support the learning journey, designed using proven behaviour-change tactics tailored to meet the identified clinical practice needs, we have been able to effect a change in MSSN behaviour to improve patient outcomes. For example, there has been a 35% increase in the proportion of MSSNs for whom the majority of their patients are receiving multidisciplinary team assessments, an aspect of care that has been shown to improve activity levels in MS patients. We are continuing to work with a Steering Committee of MSSNs to expand and tailor content for 2018 and beyond, ensuring that it remains focused on addressing real clinical practice needs and, ultimately, improving care for MS patients.
Judges’ comments
This articulate entry displayed impressive outcomes and metrics. It not only linked into the needs of the patients, but for the result to reach over half the population in the UK was truly remarkable. This is everything you could want from a meeting.
