Abstract:

Forty people with multiple sclerosis and/or their families were interviewed to assess their knowledge of, use of, needs for, and attitudes toward support groups. Most of the participants were both misinformed about the illness and ignorant of available support resources, which resulted in much stress and anxiety. It was felt that information, both about their disease condition and of support structures, needed systematically to be available and accessible to patients on diagnosis as a necessary component for empowerment.