(69) Effect of managed care educational interventions in multiple sclerosis during a period of advancing innovation

Background: : While few new multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies were approved over the past decade, understanding of the disease—particularly smoldering inflammation and neurodegeneration—advanced significantly. This shift outpaced treatment guideline updates and payer policies, creating a gap between emerging evidence and managed care decision-making. To address this, a multi-year, multi-format continuing education (CE) program was launched to update managed care professionals on MS. The curriculum included consistent outcomes measurements across diverse learning formats. In 2023, the program featured a live AMCP symposium, webcast, on-demand activity, and infographic. The 2024–2025 series added another live symposium with simulcast and a podcast.

Objective: : Evaluate changes in knowledge and competence among managed care professionals regarding evolving MS pathophysiology and therapies, characterize learners and their engagement across formats, and describe payer coverage updates.

Methods: : This review analyzed data from multi-year CE activities. Learner demographics, engagement patterns, and post-activity changes in knowledge and confidence were assessed across activities.

Results: : 715 individuals registered for at least one CE activity from March 2023 - April 2025; 255 learners completed pre- and post-surveys. Learners were primarily clinical pharmacists (20%), specialty pharmacists (19%), pharmacy directors (9%), and nurses (9%) with varying years of experience. 14% of learners completed more than one CE activity. Confidence in describing neuroinflammation rose from 37% to 81% (P < .01), and in assessing BTK inhibitors from 33% to 70% (P < .01). Learners improved 33% in identifying disease-modifying therapies that cross the blood-brain barrier and increased confidence in interpreting real-world evidence by 30% post-activity. Reported intent to change or maintain practice/policies because of the education was 84%, with planned changes including applying evidence to drug evaluations (37%), adopting collaborative care (31%), and incorporating pharmacoeconomic evaluations (18%). The highest engagement occurred with live webcasts (33%).

Conclusions: : CE for managed care professionals can fill gaps in disease state knowledge and competence to support payer policy changes in the absence of updated guidelines. Participation across multiple CE activities reflects sustained interest in emerging science. Participation across formats underscores the value of diverse educational interventions in informing payer decision-making during periods of rapid innovation.

Sponsorship:: Sanofi