Managing communication changes in persons with multiple sclerosis: Findings from qualitative focus groups.

What is already known on this subject PwMS can experience communication changes across a range of domains, including speech, voice, fluency, expressive and receptive language, and cognitive-linguistic functions. These changes can have profound and far-reaching negative impacts on educational and vocational outcomes, social participation, relationships, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Most PwMS who report communication changes do not engage with SLP services. There has been little research exploring what PwMS want and need to help manage their communication changes. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This research is the first study of its kind that sets out specifically to explore what PwMS want and need to better manage their communication changes. This study increases our understanding of, and provides valuable insights into, the specific types of supports and services PwMS desire to access, and the partnerships and kinds of interactions PwMS dream of having with healthcare professionals to manage these changes. This information can facilitate the development of future interventions to manage communication changes in MS. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? PwMS wanted healthcare professionals to ask about potential communication changes, provide education and make appropriate referrals. When providing education and information on communication changes in MS, healthcare professionals should focus on covering symptoms, triggers, impacts, self-management strategies, and available supports and services. There is a timely need to develop guidelines and interventions to manage communication changes in MS to reduce their negative impacts.