Course 6: Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is an essential component that should be factored into the comprehensive care of all people with MS. This advanced programme covers all aspects of MS rehabilitation, including the different types and methods of rehabilitation, the importance of goal setting, and the various ways that rehabilitation can help the person with MS function optimally at home and at work. Participants will gain an understanding of the role that the multidisciplinary team plays in rehabilitation, and how the team members work together to ensure all aspects of the rehabilitation process are managed.  

What you will Learn

After completing this programme, you should be better able to:

• Define rehabilitation in acute or chronic illness
• Explain the need for rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS)
• Identify the barriers to effective rehabilitation outcomes
• Describe the importance of the multidisciplinary team in rehabilitation
• Evaluate the role of the MS Nurse during multidisciplinary rehabilitation
• Justify the importance of goal setting during MS rehabilitation
• Differentiate between the goals of restorative and preventative rehabilitation
• Establish the need for the PwMS to be the centre of the goal setting process
• Compare and differentiate the rehabilitation needs of those who are newly diagnosed; RRMS and those with progressive disease
• Describe how rehabilitation benefits those experiencing a relapse
• Identify benefits of rehabilitation for those with newly diagnosed MS
• Describe rehabilitative interventions for dysfunctions in physical body structures
• Evaluate why it is important to maintain arm function
• Appreciate the importance of exercise
• Describe strategies that will prevent falls in the MS population
• Review assessment methods that can be used to evaluate the impact upon activities of daily living
• Explain the different types of rehabilitation used for addressing MS-related fatigue
• Evaluate the rehabilitation interventions for speech and communication dysfunctions
• Identify home modification options and adaptive devices to support the health and functioning of PwMS
• Describe the different settings used for rehabilitation programmes
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the inpatient and outpatient setting
• Consider the role and value of telerehabilitation
• Be understanding of the right to self-determination and autonomy
• Describe how a PwMS can manage issues associated with sexuality
• Summarise the rehabilitative interventions for managing a mood disorder such as depression
• Summarise the impact that MS has on employment and career progression
• Identify factors that contribute to unemployment for PwMS
• Evaluate work-based adaptations that can be implemented to increase participation
• Describe the vocational rehabilitation process
• Appreciate the importance of educating employers regarding the rights of PwMS

Target Audience

This activity has been developed to meet the educational needs of nurses who have an interest in optimising the management of people with MS. It may also be of interest to other healthcare professionals who are involved in rehabilitative strategies in MS.

Duration

The estimated time to complete this course is 5 hours.

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating in this activity. Participants must:

1. Read the learning objectives
2. Participate in the entire educational activity
3. Complete a pre-survey and a feedback survey
4. Complete the exam for the course, achieving a pass mark of 75% or more

A certificate of completion will be available to download upon successful completion of the course.