The rapidly changing landscape of treatment options in multiple sclerosis (MS) demands a fundamental understanding of the entire continuum of care from diagnosis to end of life. Nursing Practice in Multiple Sclerosis: A Core Curriculum1 enables the reader to gain confidence in crucial concepts central to MS care. The authors, both internationally recognized advanced practice nurses and founders of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, provide essential knowledge for both novice and expert professionals in this 21-chapter comprehensive text on MS. Although the title suggests content related to nursing practice, I would recommend this core text to any healthcare provider involved in the multidisciplinary approach to MS care, including primary care advanced practice providers, case managers, and rehabilitation specialists.
Similar to the formatting and style of the AANN Core Curriculum for Neuroscience Nursing,2 the text is presented in outline form to promote ease of navigating complex materials. In contrast to the previous third edition published more than 5 years ago, the fourth edition includes a section dedicated to an overview of recent Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments and their corresponding mechanisms of action, along with a new chapter on pain management and new content related to modern ethics, professionalism, and culturally competent care. The chapters follow a natural progression of topics that mirror events observed in the clinical setting: epidemiology, imaging, diagnosis, neurologic examination, relapse management, symptoms with associated interventions, family planning, and long-term care. Ten patient case studies in Appendix A further emphasize the application of material presented in the text with real-world clinical management considerations.
Upon initial review of the entire text, it was somewhat disappointing to see a limited number of figures, tables, and other visual aids to supplement complex concepts. This may pose a challenge for readers seeking to find a resource with colorful graphics and quick-reference summary boxes for each chapter. Despite this, the tables included are extremely helpful when attempting to organize content related to the evolution of diagnosis and medication management. More importantly, resources at the end of each chapter allow the reader to effortlessly connect information in the text to relevant evidence-based literature.
Currently, this text is the only reliable study review guide available to assist individuals preparing for the Multiple Sclerosis Certification Examination and provides a 50-question practice examination in Appendix B. I highly recommend this 250-page core text as a cornerstone resource to the novice learner in MS care and an essential component to the repertoire of references used by expert professionals continuing to understand the intricacies of caring for our patients and families with MS.
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