The discrepancy between reported and expected frequencies may be due to over-reliance on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to self-disclose, and concerns by the health care team that inadequate resources are available to address issues, according to a recent study. Therefore, an interdisciplinary team model may help address these issues. 100 charts were randomly selected and reviewed (55 relapsing-remitting MS, 17 secondary progressive MS, 8 primary progressive MS, and 20 other or subtype not indicated). All visits to, and contacts with (ie, telephone, e-mail), an MS clinic throughout 1 year were included in the analysis to determine the proportion of patients presenting with cognitive, mental health, and psychosocial concerns, and the proportion of patients being offered associated services. Researchers found:

• Of the 25 patients with at least 1 identified concern, treatment recommendations occurred for 13 (52%).
• Rates of identification of cognitive, mental health, and psychosocial concerns in standard clinical practice were significantly lower than the identified prevalence in epidemiological studies.
• Demographic factors had no bearing on who was offered treatment.
• Those with concerns access MS clinic services more often than those without.