Announcing the diagnosis and providing information to patients with multiple sclerosis

The neurologist must include the diagnosis announcement process in the comp rehensive care of the MS patient. This process is standardized and adapted to the needs of each patient. It must integrate the pattern of psychologica l reactions following negative events and the adaptive strategies to a chro nic disease. The announcement of the diagnosis, given by the neurologist, c onsists in technical information and emotional support, during a programmed discussion, at the adequate moment. The information must respond to the pa tient's needs, be easily understandable and given step by step according to the period of the disease. The neurologist is usually the first source of medical information followed by the MS societies and internet.