New partnership for educating doctors.

Most people with MS are seen routinely by doctors who are not MS specialists, according to Society statistics. To support these professionals with the training they need, the Society has launched the Alliance for Educational Excellence in MS. It has awarded grants of $100,000 to 2 distinguished institutions with the expertise needed to staff and implement targeted continuing medical education (or CME) in MS. The program content is developed in collaboration with the Society's clinical professionals.

The American Academy of Neurology is offering MS education for general neurologists both as classroom programs over the next 18 months and as a comprehensive textbook to be added to its highly acclaimed self-study series, "Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology". The "Continuum" on MS will be available to the entire AAN membership.

Temple University School of Medicine is offering MS programs for family-practice physicians. Response by family doctors was so high that Temple had to close registration for the first program in March. A second is scheduled for October. The course syllabus is also available for self-study and CME credit for doctors unable to attend in person. Brochures have been mailed to 120,000 family-practice physicians nationwide.

"This partnership enables the National MS Society to reach America's family doctors and general neurologists," said Mike Dugan, the Society's president. "Educating professionals about the best possible care for people with MS is an essential aspect of our mission."