VISIBL-MS: A bilingual educational framework to increase awareness of early multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Despite advancements in treatments of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is a lack of awareness of early MS symptoms, especially in students and the public, contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to identify gaps in tools to increase awareness and to provide a bilingual framework to facilitate recognition of early MS symptoms.

Methods: We performed a literature review to determine the use of English and Spanish mnemonics in MS education for medical students and patients.

Results: There is no educational tool to help remember the early signs of MS at present. Here we present a framework for early awareness encompassed in the bilingual mnemonics VISIBLY (English) and VISIBLE (Spanish). VISIBLY stands for (1) Vision changes: Painful vision loss, loss of color vision or double vision; (2) Belly or Back numbness and Balance issues; (3) Limb weakness or Numbness; (4), Young people. Spanish version is included in the manuscript.

Conclusion: We posit that VISIBL-MS provides a framework for MS awareness that addresses the interconnection between language, culture, health literacy, and health outcomes and can be a useful educational tool to tackle the effects of health literacy on diverse communities.

Keywords: BE-FAST; MS education; MS prodrome; SDOH; Visible; medical education; preventive neurology; visibly.

Figure 1.

Infographic with visual representations of the elements of the “VISIBL(Y/E)” mnemonic. Gradients of green and red are included for teaching of color desaturation which is often observed in optic neuritis. A text of “how to use and disclaimer” is included in the paper to facilitate proper use with a translation to Spanish.

Figure 2.

A novel heuristic framework of the MS continuum to facilitate education of clinically isolated syndromes (CIS), making up the VISIBL mnemonic, as well as related myriad of minor symptoms (MS) that may be observed in prodromal MS.