An Investigation into Needs of People Living with Multiple Sclerosis, and Their Families

Forty people living with multiple sclerosis and/or their families were interviewed to assess their knowledge of, use of, needs for, and attitudes towards support groups. The majority of participants were both misinformed about their illness and ignorant of resources available to them, resulting in much stress and anxiety. It is felt that information-both about their disease condition and of support structures-needs systematically to be available and accessible to patients on diagnosis, and is a necessary component for empowerment.