Abstract
Background: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are vulnerable during disasters. We co-designed a Crisis Toolkit with the Red Cross, healthcare professionals and persons with MS. The Crisis Toolkit includes the Red Cross RediPlan and resources for people living with disability and preparing for imminent evacuation, isolation or heatwave.
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the acceptability and impacts of the Crisis Toolkit among persons with MS, implemented through MS specialist nurses.
Methods: Six nurses received online training to support implementing the Crisis Toolkit and recruited participants with MS (moderate-severe disability and living in crisis-prone areas) from their clinics. Participants completed online surveys at baseline, post toolkit completion, and after three months to assess acceptability and effort in completion, alongside reporting on confidence in knowing what to do, disaster preparedness, disaster resilience, and psychological distress. Nurses provided evaluations via semi-structured interviews.
Results: Fourteen participants (mean age 56.2, 13 female) evaluated the Crisis Toolkit. 86% (n=12) found the toolkit acceptable, and 75% (n=9) reported the toolkit required only moderate effort. After toolkit completion, participants improved their disaster confidence, preparedness, and resilience. Improvements were maintained after three months. Participants assisted by nurses improved completion confidence. Nurses perceived training and their professional beliefs about each patient’s needs enhanced implementation. Nurses were concerned about implementation time.
Conclusion: The co-designed Crisis Toolkit was acceptable and enhanced disaster preparedness, reducing people’s crisis vulnerability. Nurse assistance improved the completion confidence. Priority must be given to developing streamlined implementation models that support persons with MS in preparing for crises and completing their Crisis Toolkit.