While advances in medicine, technology and healthcare services offer promises of longevity and improved quality of life (QoL), there is also increasing reliance on a patient׳s skills and motivation to optimize all the benefits available. Patient engagement in their own healthcare has been described as the 'blockbuster drug of the century'. In multiple sclerosis (MS), patient engagement is vital if outcomes for the patient, society and healthcare systems are to be optimized. The MS in the 21st Century Steering Group devised a set of themes that require action with regard to patient engagement in MS, namely: 1) setting and facilitating engagement by education and confidence-building; 2) increasing the importance placed on QoL and patient concerns through patient-reported outcomes (PROs); 3) providing credible sources of accurate information; 4) encouraging treatment adherence through engagement; and 5) empowering through a sense of responsibility. Group members independently researched and contributed examples of patient engagement strategies from several countries and examined interventions that have worked well in areas of patient engagement in MS, and other chronic illnesses. The group presents their perspective on these programs, discusses the barriers to achieving patient engagement, and suggests practical strategies for overcoming these barriers. With an understanding of the issues that influence patient engagement in MS, we can start to investigate ways to enhance engagement and subsequent health outcomes. Engaging patients involves a broad, multidisciplinary approach.

Blizard Institute Bart׳s School of Medicine and Dentistry London UK

CHUM Research Centre Montreal Quebec Canada

European Charcot Foundation Molenhoek The Netherlands

European Health Economics Spéracèdes France

General Faculty Hospital Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Kliniken Valens Valens Switzerland

Moscow MS Centre Russian State Research Medical University named by NI Pirogov Moscow Russia

Northern Ireland Neurology Service Portadown UK

Rehabilitation in MS Brussels Belgium

Royal Holloway University of London Egham UK

Sozialstiftung Bamberg Hospital Bamberg Germany

Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland

Università di Roma Tor Vergata Rome Italy

Universitätsspital Zürich Zürich Switzerland

University Hospital of Lille Lille France

University Hospital San Carlos Madrid Spain

Western University London Ontario Canada

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