Empowering MS care through lifestyle: CPD training for healthcare professionals

Overcoming MS, in partnership with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM),  has developed a CPD-accredited course to help healthcare professionals integrate lifestyle and self-management into MS care. 

Transforming brain health: integrating lifestyle and self-management in MS care is a practical, confidence-building course designed to help you support people with MS in managing their condition more proactively and sustainably. The course is 3.5 CPD hours. 

Preserving brain volume and cognitive reserve protects against disability progression… The therapeutic strategy in MS should aim to preserve as much brain reserve and cognitive reserve as possible by using DMTs and adopting a ‘brain-healthy’ lifestyle.”

Brain Health: Time Matters in MS, 2024 

A very well designed and researched course. It has a lot of value and it was much needed…I will be surely recommending it.” 

Course reviewer

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for all healthcare professionals working with people with MS, whether in neurology, general practice, rehabilitation, or community health. You’ll gain tools and strategies to support better outcomes for people living with MS and other neurological conditions. It is available through the BSLM Learning Academy, and while the content was produced by specialists in UK, it’s widely applicable within other countries and healthcare systems. 

Why Take This Course?

• Promote self-efficacy 
  Support people with MS to feel more confident in managing their condition through practical, sustainable lifestyle changes. 
• Use evidence-based strategies 
  Gain insights into behaviour change, supported self-management, and the role of lifestyle factors like sleep, movement, stress management, and nutrition in protecting brain health. 
• Improve patient outcomes and experiences 
  Learn how to reframe clinical conversations to focus on achievable, meaningful lifestyle adjustments that support long-term brain health. 

What You’ll Learn

This course takes you on a journey from understanding MS and the science of brain health, to applying practical approaches in clinical settings. These include: 

• The role of lifestyle choices and environments in brain health and outcomes 
• How to address barriers to engagement for both healthcare professionals and patients 
• Practical strategies to implement supported self-management in personal, service, and system-wide practice 
• Real-world examples that bring the theory to life and demonstrate how to embed lifestyle support in MS care 

There are five modules on the course, which are broken down into the following content: 

Module 1 – An overview of MS, its holistic treatment and the interrelated lifestyle aspects which may affect patient experience and progression. 

Modules 2-3 – An in-depth examination of each lifestyle medicine pillar in the context of MS and brain health more generally. 

Module 4 – Looks at behaviour change, the importance of self-efficacy and giving people the information needed to self-manage their condition, and barriers faced by both patients and healthcare professionals, 

Module 5 –  Applying this knowledge in the context of health policy and guidance, giving practical ideas and real-life examples  from a personal, team, service and system approach. 

Course Details & Access

• CPD hours: 3.5 hours 

• Cost: Free for BSLM members; £25 for non-members (this is an administration fee only) 

• Access: Via the BSLM Learning Academy 

• Funding Support: Overcoming MS has pre-paid for 20 places. If cost is a barrier, please contact us to access one of these funded spots. 

Take the Next Step

Join us to make lifestyle an integral part of MS care.  

Equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to support people with MS in preserving brain health, building resilience, and achieving better long-term outcomes. 

Register for the course

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