Imagine a live interactive programme that reaches people with MS and their families anywhere they live, without anyone – including the speaker – having to leave his or her own home. Through the wonders of modern technology it is possible to reach audiences that are not always served well through traditional ‘in-person’ group programmes.
MS Learn Online is a series of programmes from the National MS Society of the United States that has served more than half a million people in at least 50 different countries since its inception in 1999, utilising an Internet technology called ‘webcasting’. Anyone with online access can participate. These programmes have focused on a variety of subjects of interest to people with MS and their families. There are programmes for the newly diagnosed, programmes on specific issues like managing pain or cognitive problems, research oriented programmes and programmes on wellness and coping topics. In total, 31 programmes are archived on the US National MS Society’s website www.nationalmssociety.org.
MS Learn Online has been particularly effective in addressing sensitive topics such as bladder and bowel symptoms or sexuality, as the programme format offers complete privacy and anonymity for participants. Topics on progressive MS have also been popular, appealing to those whose symptoms make it difficult to leave their homes to attend group programmes. Newly diagnosed participants, who may not have disclosed their MS publicly, appreciate being able to attend a programme from the privacy of their own homes.
Some MS Learn Online webcasts have used video streaming technology, but for most programmes, participants listen to an audio-lecture from an MS expert while following along with a series of slides. Each live broadcast offers an ‘ask the expert’ segment, during which participants can email questions to the lecturer. A Society staff member screens the questions, the most interesting of which are put to the experts by a professional moderator.
MS Learn Online is a truly international programme. Not only do people with MS from all over the world use the programme, but also speakers can give their lecture from anywhere there is a telephone line. Programmes were only in English initially, but in 2003 the first programme in Spanish will be broadcast.
Sample MS Learn Online programme: Understanding and Controlling Bladder Dysfunction
• MS and urologic effects
• Bladder behaviour: storage and emptying
• Neurological evaluation
• Functional issues (diet, clothing, environment etc)
• Non-pharmacological management
• Pharmacological therapies
• Surgical management
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MS Learn Online programmes average about 600-1,000 participants on the day of the live broadcast. However, two to three weeks after each broadcast, the programmes are archived, and many more people benefit by either listening to the audio programme or by reading the transcripts.
![US National MS Society "Learn online" screen grab](/images/nmsswebcast.jpg "US National MS Society "Learn online" screen grab")
Online programming is feasible in any country in which a reasonable percentage of people with MS have Internet access. The problem of limited access to computers and the Internet, which is a relevant obstacle in many countries, could be addressed by an MS society bringing audiences together at various local sites, such as MS society branches or centres, to view the programme. Although this seems like a costly programme, the potential number of people who can be reached may justify an investment of this type. The National MS Society has been successful in obtaining pharmaceutical company funding to support all programme expenses (direct costs of about US $13,000 or t13,000 per broadcast). Societies interested in webcasting as an educational programme can contact Dr Beverly Noyes at beverly.noyes@nmss.org.
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