People's understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS), its diagnosis and impact on the community is set to improve globally thanks to a new online course from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania.
The reach and impact of 'MS Symptoms and Diagnosis' and other MS courses developed at Menzies will be featured at two public seminars that Menzies' MS Research Flagship is hosting this week in the lead-up to World MS Day on Friday
The first seminar, at the University's Cradle Coast campus in Burnie on Tuesday 27 May, will be attended by Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia and patron of MS Australia.
Professor Tracey Dickson, Menzies Director, said "We are honoured to be hosting Her Excellency alongside members of the MS community at our public seminar in Burnie. World MS Day on 30 May is a day of global solidarity, collective action and hope. These public seminars, which provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from world leading researchers and connect with others in the MS community, are an acknowledgement of this significant date in the MS community's calendar."
Details of the groundbreaking stem cell research coming out of Menzies and innovative strategies for building the MS nurse workforce and supporting continued employment for people living with MS, will also be shared with members of the MS community in attendance.
Andrew Potter, a Tasmanian resident who has lived with MS for over 35 years, features in the online course speaking about his experience with MS. Andrew, also a lived experience adviser MS Australia, said "I am a husband, a parent, a son, a grandfather, a friend, a political agitator, an advocate and just another Australian living with MS. I treat MS every day with both the respect and contempt it deserves!"
The second public seminar on Thursday 29 May will be held at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Hobart.
The 2025 World MS Day campaign My MS Diagnosis advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS. The new course 'MS Symptoms and Diagnosis,' is a collaboration between the MS Research Flagship and the MS International Federation and a core feature of the campaign. Supported by MS Australia and MS Plus, this free course is now open to participants worldwide.
About MS:
There are more than 33,300 Australians living with MS, and more than 2.8 million people living with MS around the world. It's the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, with the average age of diagnosis between 20-40 years. As yet, there is no cure.
The MS Research Flagship's free online courses, spearheaded by the award-winning 'Understanding Multiple Sclerosis,' have enrolled more than 50,000 people from over 180 countries globally since 2019 and have significantly improved knowledge of MS, health literacy, self-efficacy and other behaviours.
About the course:
'MS Symptoms and Diagnosis' is a free online course that is open until 15 June 2025.
To enrol, scan the QR code below or visit ms.mooc.utas.edu.au/course/20344/Multiple_Sclerosis_Symptoms_and_Diagnosis
