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Neuropediatrics
DOI: 10.1055/a-2650-6894
Original Article

Impact of a Nurse Care Coordinator on Time to Treatment in a Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, a Retrospective Study

Madeleine H. McLaughlin
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Grace Gombolay 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
› Institutsangaben
Funding This study was funded by a Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Case Physician Fellowship from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, grant #CF-2307-42107.
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Abstract

Objectives

Early treatment improves long-term outcomes for persons living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) experience delays in diagnosis and treatment with disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Here, we explore how a dedicated nurse care coordinator decreases time to treatment in POMS.

Methods

We included a retrospective cohort of 60 POMS at a single center between 2018 and 2024. The primary outcome was time to DMT initiation. Secondary outcomes included relapse rates and Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.

Results

In 60 participants, 39 were in the precoordinator group and 21 were in the postcoordinator group. Age, race, ethnicity, insurance, and the area deprivation index did not affect outcomes. However, the postcoordinator group had a shorter time from diagnosis to initiation of DMT (median: 49 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 40–57 days) compared to the precoordinator group (median: 126 days, IQR: 57–254 days, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Here, we found that a care coordinator decreased time to DMT initiation and should be implemented in clinical care.

Practical Implications

Having a dedicated nurse coordinator to help patients with MS with obtaining their treatments, including their DMTs, can result in a shorter time to starting a DMT.

Keywords

pediatric multiple sclerosis - multiple sclerosis - clinic coordinator - social determinants of health - healthcare access

Ethical Approval

IRB approval was obtained for this study.


Informed Consent

Consent was waived for this retrospective study.


Data Access Statement

Data is available to qualified researchers upon IRB approval and execution of a data use agreement.




Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 08. Mai 2025

Angenommen: 04. Juli 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
08. Juli 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. Juli 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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