Tackling Domestic Violence and Abuse in Multiple Sclerosis: Voices from the Frontline

In a recent NeurologyLive feature published in two parts on August 19 and August 22, 2024, Professor Elizabeth Morrison-Banks (University of California Riverside School of Medicine) and our PhD researcher Suzanne Britt (University of Nottingham) shed light on a critical issue: domestic violence and abuse (DVA) experienced by individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Britt reflects on the significance of this conversation:

Just over two years ago, at the point of starting my study into healthcare response, it was striking to find how little research had been conducted into the issue of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) experienced by people living with MS. One notable exception that I came across early on was the work of Dr. Elizabeth Morrison-Banks in the US. It was a privilege, therefore, to be invited to spend time talking with her about our research, the differences in access to healthcare in our respective settings, and also how healthcare professionals might address the issue of DVA in their practice.

Here are some of the key highlights from their conversation:

On the need for targeted screening, Dr Morrison-Banks states:

We developed the STRESS-MS screening questionnaire... because there wasn't anything specific to MS patients.

Highlighting the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, Britt notes:

Time is always a factor... clinicians are under pressure to get through their clinics.

Addressing the impact of telehealth, Dr Morrison-Banks observes:

It's harder to pick up on nonverbal cues... we need to think about how to adapt our strategies.

On the prevalence of abuse, Dr Morrison-Banks reveals:

About 50% of the people who agreed to be interviewed... indicated that there was some level of abuse and neglect, most often psychological abuse.

Britt emphasises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach:

There's a lot of support for practitioners in that multidisciplinary approach. It's not feeling that you're isolated with an issue.

These expert perspectives underscore the importance of understanding and addressing DVA risks in people with MS.

For the full conversation, please read Part 1 (published August 19, 2024) and Part 2(published August 22, 2024).