MS 7.1 MasterClass: evaluated

Our MS MasterClasses are well established as ‘the’ course for budding MSologists, from the foundation course for trainees and those just starting their journey in multiple sclerosis healthcare, through to our advanced course for consultants and specialists looking to deepen their specialism still further.This MS Foundation MasterClass, a delegate gave our educational course a glowing evaluation which we are proud to share:

‘The MS Academy module that I recently attended is without a doubt the best educational platform I have attended since coming into MS; secondly, I wish to say to you and your team that the organisation was impeccable.’

100% of delegates awarded this course high levels (4/5 out of 5) for its effectiveness in both meeting learning aims and the quality of the course. We aim to deliver effective and practically-applicable education to ensure tangible change at a service level. With 70% of delegates giving the highest likelihood (5) of modifying their practice as a result of the course, we can be confident that we are equipping healthcare practitioners to deliver the very best services and care they can to those living with a neurological condition.

‘This is the best MS course – in fact the best amongst all the educational courses – I have been on. A wealth of knowledge poured on us with patience and well paced sessions.’

‘Very informative and useful for my real life clinical practice.’

‘I would recommend this to anyone wanting to upskill in MS.’

The sessions

‘Getting the diagnosis right and undiagnosing MS’ and the ‘3 minute neuro examination’, both delivered by Dr Giles Elrington, began the programme.

‘Excellent presentation on MS mimics to show rationale for diagnosis.’

‘Amazed by comments, I found this very interesting.’

‘As a registrar it makes you realise what parts of the examination are truly important and what parts not to get bogged down in.’

Always seeking to deliver learning that can easily be put into practice, Professor Gavin Giovannoni led delegates in a series of ‘Case Histories’, an interactive session examining patient scenarios using both written and video evidence.

‘I found this very helpful and liked being given real life examples; very helpful in improving decision making skills re: DMT choice prescription.’

‘Very good series of cases to highlight the importance of getting the diagnosis right.’

[caption id="attachment_4341" align="alignnone" width="673"] Prof Gavin Giovannoni, March 2019[/caption]Professor Basil Sharrack continued that style with his session on disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), and Dr David Paling covered another ‘Case Histories’ segment later in the programme, and consistently this format was well received by delegates with one noting simply, ‘Thank you for being interactive.’

‘Really made DMT easy to understand [including] the approach by NICE.’

‘The interactive component was awesome.’

‘Extremely useful discussion of problems and the thought process in dealing with them.’

The Academy prides itself on delivering ‘the stuff you can’t get from books’, as Educational Director Peter Fletcher puts it, and our session on ‘symptomatic management of MS’ was noted to be an ‘area not commonly covered in teaching’ by one of our delegates. Dr Trevor Pickersgill presented this packed session.

‘Excellent! One of my favorite talks – great advice and help on how to troubleshoot issues encountered in clinics commonly.’

People living with MS are valuable experts in their own condition, and we ensure our delegates have an opportunity to hear their perspectives too.

‘ I was particularly struck by how little information patients take in when they are first given the diagnosis.’

‘It was good to hear patient perspective and what information they find useful or would want from clinicians.’

‘This was a great session. Both patients were very frank and honest.’

‘Very helpful in terms of communicating to patients and knowing what they want to hear.’

Neuropharmacy is a growing specialism and neuropharmacist Rachel Dorsey-Campbell sets out the essential role well in her session. A delegate summarised this far more effectively than we could:

‘Very important to spread knowledge about an integrated neuropharmacy service – some of the delegates I conversed with yesterday didn’t appear to think there was a big difference between a general pharmacist and a neuropharmacist – I think your talk put that discussion to rest very well. Very important that people know about the skillset of the pharmacist v neuropharmacist.’

As if in response to that, another noted, ‘Really opened up eyes to role of a pharmacist.’

Dr David Paling’s session on neuroimaging is a brilliant introduction, relevant to delegates from all backgrounds:

‘ Useful information on PML – applicable to non-medics.’

Specifics to take forward into practice

Many of the delegates fed back on the variety of learning they would be taking forward into their daily practice, and some were very specific about these elements in their evaluations:

‘Very informative, will definitely be using neurofilament levels to inform my clinical decisions.’ (Session on the role of CSF in diagnosis by Dr Sharmilee Gnanapavan)

‘Made us understand how to think around and manage cases which do not fit into checkboxes/guideline algorithms.’ (Session on practical management of relapses by Dr Leonora Fisniku)

‘Really helpful and will be useful to apply to my clinical practice.’ (Session on Case Histories by Dr David Paling)

The Neurology Academy was established specifically to enable service transformation through the upskilling and education of passionate health professionals, and our Foundation course establishes this through the session on ‘What does a comprehensive MS service look like?’ delivered by Dr Anu Jacob.

‘Very relevant to setting up a community-based service.’

‘Experience-based tips were the ‘go to’ for any beginner and we got it here.’

[caption id="attachment_4344" align="alignnone" width="675"] Dr Leonora Firsniku, March 2019[/caption]

In praise of the speakers

All of our speakers have a wealth of knowledge to draw on and a vibrant teaching style. Their styles of presenting are varied yet all received high ratings (the lowest was 84%) for both content and style of presenting.

‘Prof Giovannoni is excellent, he presented his teaching in a very practical manner.’

Of Dr Leonora Fisniku: ‘Interesting and inspiring speaker, pragmatic approach.’

Dr Trevor Pickersgill is ‘an engaging and very informative speaker. I really liked his clear understandable/pragmatic style.’

Dr David Paling is a ‘great presenter, good use of interaction session.’

Interested in attending?

If you are interested in attending our Foundation MasterClass, take a look at this course’s programme, or register for our 2020 course here. We also have a few places left for our MS Intermediate MasterClass in June!For more information on our MS MasterClasses, or to learn about our other neurology educational courses from Parkinson’s to dementia, or palliative care to neuropharmacy, visit courses page.