Crisis resilience in people with multiple sclerosis (C-RIMS); immediate concerns during the acute and adjustment phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Crisis resilience in people with multiple sclerosis (C-RIMS); immediate concerns during the acute and adjustment phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Lead researcher: Claudia Marck
Disability and Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Team members: Yvonne Learmonth, Brody Heritage, Lisa Gibbs, Assunta Hunter, Diana Walker, Petra Skeffington, Allan Kermode, Ingrid van der Mei, Lydia Frampton

Partner organisations: University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, MS Australia

Following strong responses from the disability sector in relation to the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the Australian Government endorsed the development of a management and operational plan. To address this pressing concern, our project aims to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities, using a case population of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We will identify issues raised and experienced by people with MS and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify policy-relevant templates for healthcare implementation to address urgent needs through the adjustment and recovery phases of this pandemic.

Research  Outcomes

The project was awarded additional funding from MS Research Australia to continue the research and develop templates for healthcare implementation.

Conference Papers
"Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian people with multiple sclerosis" presented by CH Marck at the Public Health Association of Australia conference, December 2020,

"Concerns over healthcare access, and health behaviour changes during the Australian bushfires and COVID-19 among persons with MS: A mini exposé of potential consequences" Presented by YC Learmonth at the Rehabilitation in MS conference November 2020 (50 MS researchers and clinicians from 13 countries)

"Adherence to exercise in MS populations, especially influenced by national and international events of 2020” YC Learmonth held a virtual presentation in October 2020 at the Australian Physiotherapy Association (8000 attendees)