Shifts in Multiple Sclerosis Care, Ongoing Integration of Telehealth: Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN, MSCS

WATCH TIME: 2 minutes

“I've noticed that more people with MS—just as I imagine, in the broader community—are struggling with the isolation that has come from the pandemic, and that has had a more subtle impact on symptoms of just eating. There is a very emotional component to eating, and I've noticed that has become more prevalent, and that's something I'm being asked about more regularly.”

Over the course of 2021, care for multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved and adapted, particularly with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Diet is an integral part of overall health, and the emotional component of eating is something that is compounded by the isolation of lockdowns and quarantine. According to Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN, MSCS, founder of her private practice, MS Bites, she has been asked more about this emotional aspect of nutrition, which is further exacerbated by living with a chronic illness during a global pandemic. 

In conversation with NeurologyLive®, Bostick highlighted the “silver lining” of the pandemic, in that telehealth has allowed for patients with MS to access dietitians and other clinicians in a manner that is inclusive and accessible. Telehealth has also generated the opportunity for practitioners to get an inside look at patients’ living situations, while also addressing questions from care providers that may not otherwise be asked during in-person clinical visits. Bostick further noted the convenience of telehealth for both the patient and provider, increasing access to dietitians, who are not historically included as part of the comprehensive care model for MS. 

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