The University Hospital Dresden has launched a new pilot project for the telemedical care of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in rural areas. Under the title “Expert knowledge for people with MS in rural areas”, the offer is intended to give those affected in medically underserved regions better access to specialised neurological expertise.

The project is primarily aimed at patients who have to travel long distances to MS centers. The focus is on three online consultations within one year by doctors from the Multiple Sclerosis Center Dresden. The consultations are intended to support the classification of the course of the disease, the discussion of treatment options and the management of symptoms. They do not replace a specialist examination, but they help to gain more confidence in dealing with the disease.

Prof. Dr. Tjalf Ziemssen, head of the Center for Clinical Neurosciences and the Multiple Sclerosis Center Dresden, explained that the project aims to make digital care a practical experience in the area. It is intended to show that special centres can reach and support patients in rural areas who have often not been adequately cared for so far.

The University Hospital Dresden is working with several partners on the implementation, including Carus Consilium Sachsen GmbH, the Saxon Hospital Arnsdorf and the German Multiple Sclerosis Society Landesverband Sachsen e.V. The non-profit Hertie Foundation is supporting the two-year project as part of the “mitMiSsion” initiative.

Dr. Eva Koch, Head of Multiple Sclerosis Projects at the Hertie Foundation, emphasized that the project combines scientific and digital know-how in a meaningful way. It has the potential to transfer the model to other clinical pictures in the future.

The pilot project responds to the special challenges of MS care in rural areas. Through continuous digital communication and structured support, the aim is to promote understanding of illness, adherence to therapy and participation in everyday life. The researchers see hybrid care concepts as an important approach for patient-centered care for chronically ill patients close to home.

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