VIRtual Versus UsuAL In-office Care for Multiple Sclerosis (VIRTUAL-MS)

The current standard of outpatient MS care depends on in-clinic visits, but MS patients face many barriers to accessing this care. These barriers include those resulting from the disease itself, such as physical limitations, driving restrictions and financial limitations, and they are further compounded by an overall shortage of neurologists. Furthermore, MS care has a significant economic impact, with the estimated indirect and direct costs for treating MS in the US estimated to be > $85.4 billion. Therefore, there is a need to improve access to and reduce cost of MS care, and telehealth is a potential solution. The VIRTUAL-MS study has been designed to evaluate the impact of telehealth care on MS clinical outcomes, costs, and satisfaction compared to in-person care. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate facilitators and barriers to telehealth use to inform widespread implementation.

Inclusion Criteria:Ages ≥18MS diagnosis within 12 months of randomization by 2017 McDonald Criteria.Confirmatory MRI within 6 months prior to randomization.Exclusion Criteria:Clinically relevant condition that, in the opinion of the PI, could preclude participation in the study (e.g. neutropenia or wound care requiring frequent monitoring)Inability to provide informed consent