Models of Care for MS and Rare Demyelinating Diseases Specialised Centers vs Outpatient Pathways

Wolfgang Koehler (Leipzig University), Anna Arellanesova (rare diseases advocate, Czech Republic), and Jana Hlavacova  (EMSP Policy Consultant) explored the question every health system is wrestling with: who treats the patient? With 250,000 people living with MS in Germany alone, no system can route everyone to a specialist — but every patient deserves at least one specialist consultation. The panel made a strong case for MS nurses as the multiplier the field has been missing, and for cross-border collaboration via European Reference Networks (ERNs) to support rare disease care. Telemedicine and AI got a nod too, especially for patients with limited mobility.