A questionnaire survey comparing the educational priorities of patients and medical students in the management of multiple sclerosis

SummaryObjectiveTo compare the educational priorities patients and students raise concerning the management of multiple sclerosis (MS).Design/settingA single-centre comparative questionnaire survey conducted in a foundation trust hospital which provides teaching for one UK medical school.ParticipantsA total of 255 people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and 125 final year medical students attending a mandatory module were invited to participate.Main outcome measurementsQuestionnaires were developed and piloted for this study and analysed on the basis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health terminology.ResultsQuestionnaires were returned by 125 (50%) pwMS (age range 36–86 years; median 58) and 96 (77%) medical students (age range 22–37 years; median 23). The most commonly reported priority listed by people with MS and students concerned ‘environmental contextual factors’ (95.5% and 99%, respectively). PwMS focused primarily on the ‘social and attitudinal aspects’ of the envi...