THE SERVICES AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

This paper reports the results of a study which was designed to provide initially an extensive demographic profile of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Secondly, it examined the social and service needs of this group in relation to MS. Finally, the paper considered and evaluated the services needed to assist in the management of the disease. Sixteen hundred and four people with MS in NSW were asked to respond to a mailed questionnaire; 1,143 completed questionnaires were returned for analysis. Approximately 4-5% of respondents felt that MS had been a threat to their continued employment. Fatigue was cited as the main reason for ceasing paid work. The main areas of personal needs not being met were respite care, family support and support from other people with MS. In rating the relative importance of health professionals in the management of their disease, respondents rated their family physician as the most important followed by neurologists, physiotherapists and urologists. An important issue identified by respondents was the need for education and counseling about MS for their family.