The goal of this observational study is to learn how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) understand, organise, and use their medicines at home. The study aims to explore how people take their prescribed and non-prescribed medicines, what challenges they experience, and whether any safety issues arise in day-to-day medication use. Participants will take part in one home visit with trained student researchers. During the visit, researchers will review all medicines and supplements the participant uses, ask about routines and any difficulties, check medication packaging with permission, and ask a brief question about memory. No treatment changes will be made. Information will be reviewed by a senior clinician, and any safety concerns will be shared with the participant's usual healthcare team.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
Medication Burden (Descriptive)
Total number of prescribed and non-prescribed medications and supplements used by each participant, recorded during the home-based medication review. This includes dose, frequency, route, and source of each item. The outcome will be summarised descriptively (counts, means, ranges).
Time frame: Baseline
Medication Adherence (MARS-5 Score)
Self-reported adherence measured using the 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Scores range from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better adherence. Results will be summarised descriptively.
Time frame: Baseline
Medication-Related Challenges
Proportion of participants reporting difficulties with medication supply, administration, formulation, or perceived effectiveness, based on structured trigger questions. Reported descriptively.
Time frame: Baseline
Subjective Cognitive Decline (Single-Item Question)
("Yes"/"No") to the validated single-item subjective cognitive decline question ("Do you feel you have more problems with your memory than most?"). Used to contextualise medication-taking behaviours. Summarised descriptively.
Time frame: Baseline
Medication Organisation and Use of Aids
Use of medication aids such as dosette boxes, blister packs, phone reminders, or charts. Recorded as present/absent and described using frequencies.
Time frame: Baseline
Medication Storage and Safety Issues
Number and type of potential safety issues identified during the home visit, including expired medicines, duplicate supplies, unmonitored supplements, or storage concerns. Summarised descriptively.
Time frame: Baseline
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