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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the basic pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis and how it leads to the common cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. 

  • List at least one theory of for the etiology of multiple sclerosis. 

  • Describe at least two facts about the epidemiology of MS. 

Course Summary

In this module, we will be learning about the basic pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis, different theories of etiology, and basic epidemiology. In addition to the physical symptoms found in multiple sclerosis, 65% of individuals with this disease experience cognitive impairment, and 50% experience at least one significant episode of depression.

Understanding the basic pathophysiology of MS can help psychologists and mental health providers understand the etiology of these cognitive and emotional symptoms that are so pertinent and relevant to psychological assessment and treatment.

Additionally, it is helpful for mental health providers to understand the basic epidemiology and theories of etiology around multiple sclerosis to adequately address:

  • unhelpful or inaccurate thought patterns (e.g., guilt or self-blame for contracting the disease or worry about passing the disease to offspring),
  • identify and address health behaviors that could increase the risk of developing MS or leading to faster progression (e.g., smoking), and
  • correct misinformation about the racial and ethnic make-up of those that develop MS.

Course Curriculum

Created & Published: January 6, 2022

    1. Course Instructions

    2. Course Content the Way YOU Learn Best - Podcast, Transcript, or YouTube Video

    3. What is MS? Post-Test Assessment

    4. Attendance Attestation

    5. What is MS? Course Evaluation

    6. BONUS Content - Resource Page for Your Clinical Practice

About this course

  • Free

Instructors

Associate Professor University of Washington School of Medicine Kevin Alschuler, PhD

Kevin N. Alschuler, PhD, is a psychologist in the Seattle, WA. Dr. Alschuler works in chronic illness and injury rehabilitation as part of UW Medicine. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology in the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Alschuler provides clinical care and conducts research in the UW Medicine Multiple Sclerosis Center where he also serves as Co-Medical Director and Co-Director of the UW Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation & Wellness Research Center.

Doctoral Student University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Ashley Pike

Ashley graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 2007 and worked as a licensed veterinary technician for 10 years while earning her BS at Bellevue University in 2011. She continued as a laboratory technician and graduate student in the Creighton University Clinical and Translational Sciences Master’s certificate program, where she conducted research in swine cardiovascular models. Ashley was accepted into the UAMS Ph.D. Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences in 2017, where she has transitioned from working with animal models to human subjects. For her Ph.D. thesis, Ashley has spearheaded a collaboration between Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, Neurology, Neuropsychology, and the BIRC to compare structural and functional neuroimaging predictors of declining cognition and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis. She wishes to continue her postgraduate career in these same disciplines.

Founder of The Boster Center For Multiple Sclerosis Aaron Boster, MD

Dr. Boster is a board-certified Neurologist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis and related CNS inflammatory disorders. He decided to become an MS doctor at age 12, as he watched his uncle Mark suffer from the disease in an era before treatment was available. Dr. Boster grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended undergraduate at Oberlin College. He earned his MD at University of Cincinnati College of medicine and completed an internship in Internal Medicine and Residency in Neurology at the University of Michigan. He then completed a two-year fellowship in Clinical Neuroimmunology at Wayne State University. Since then, Dr. Boster has been intimately involved in the care of people impacted by Multiple Sclerosis; He has been a principal investigator in numerous Clinical Trials, trained multiple MS Doctors and Nurse Practitioners, published extensively in medical journals. He lectures to both patients and providers world-wide with a mission to EDUCATE, ENERGIZE and EMPOWER people impacted by MS. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his son Maxwell.

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Approved CE Provider

PSYCHOLOGISTS
Empathie, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Empathie, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.