According to Gram Research analysis, adults with multiple sclerosis most value knowledgeable and compassionate healthcare providers (55% and 54% respectively) and urgent appointment availability (48%), but face significant barriers including appointment wait times (44%), transportation challenges (39%), and costs (30%). A cross-sectional survey of 387 MS patients found that over half want support for exercise (52%) and diet changes (45%), with many requesting mental health services and nutrition counseling currently unavailable at their clinics.
A new survey of 387 adults with multiple sclerosis reveals what they need most from their healthcare providers and clinics. The study found that patients value knowledgeable and compassionate doctors, easy appointment scheduling, and help with exercise and diet changes. Many people struggle to access care due to transportation challenges, appointment availability, and costs. The research shows that MS clinics could better serve patients by offering more services like physical therapy, mental health support, and nutrition counseling, along with making appointments easier to get and more flexible.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional survey of 387 adults with multiple sclerosis found that 55% most desired healthcare providers with strong training and knowledge, while 54% prioritized provider compassion and empathy.
According to the same 387-participant MS survey, 44% of patients identified appointment availability as a barrier to care, while 39% struggled with transportation and 30% faced financial costs.
In a 2026 survey of 387 MS patients, 52% requested support for improving exercise habits and 45% wanted help with diet and nutrition—the two most commonly requested lifestyle supports.
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 387 MS clinic patients revealed that mental health services, in-clinic rehabilitation therapies, and nutritionist services were among the most desired but currently unavailable support options.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: What features and support do people with MS want from their doctors and clinics, and what barriers prevent them from getting the care they need?
- Who participated: 387 adults living with multiple sclerosis who completed an online survey about their healthcare experiences and preferences
- Key finding: More than half of MS patients want doctors with strong knowledge (55%) and compassion (54%), plus easier access to urgent appointments (48%), but many face barriers like transportation problems (39%), appointment wait times (44%), and cost (30%)
- What it means for you: If you have MS, this research validates that your struggles with accessing care are common and shared by many others. It also shows that healthcare providers are learning what changes would help patients most—like offering exercise and nutrition support, mental health services, and better scheduling options.
The Research Details
Researchers created a survey with input from doctors, patients, and other healthcare experts who work with MS patients. They sent this survey online to adults with MS and collected 387 responses. This type of study, called a cross-sectional survey, takes a snapshot of what people think and experience at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. The survey asked about what patients value in their clinics, what support they need but aren’t getting, and what obstacles prevent them from accessing care.
The research team analyzed the responses to find patterns—which features were mentioned most often, which barriers were most common, and what types of support patients requested. This approach is straightforward and practical: instead of running expensive experiments, researchers simply asked people directly about their experiences and preferences.
Understanding what patients actually want and need is crucial for improving healthcare. Doctors and clinic managers often make decisions based on what they think is best, but they may miss important details about what patients truly value. By asking MS patients directly, this research provides real-world evidence that can guide improvements in how clinics operate, what services they offer, and how they schedule appointments. This kind of patient feedback is increasingly recognized as essential for delivering better care.
This study has several strengths: it involved 387 participants, which is a solid sample size for this type of research; the survey was developed by a team of doctors, patients, and other experts, making it more likely to ask relevant questions; and it was distributed electronically, making it easy for people to participate. However, the study is a snapshot in time, so it doesn’t show whether these needs change over time. Also, we don’t know if the 387 people who responded are representative of all MS patients—people who felt strongly about clinic quality might have been more likely to complete the survey.
What the Results Show
The survey revealed clear priorities for what MS patients want from their healthcare providers. The top three desired clinic characteristics were provider knowledge and training (55% of respondents), provider compassion and empathy (54%), and availability of urgent appointments (48%). These findings suggest that patients don’t just want medical expertise—they want doctors who understand them as whole people and can respond quickly when problems arise.
When asked about barriers to accessing care, patients identified three major obstacles: difficulty getting appointments (44%), transportation challenges (39%), and financial costs (30%). These barriers are practical, real-world problems that prevent people from getting the care they need, even when they want it.
Regarding support needs, patients most frequently requested help with lifestyle changes. Specifically, 52% wanted support for improving exercise habits, and 45% wanted help with diet and nutrition. Beyond these top requests, patients expressed interest in having access to rehabilitation therapies, mental health services, and nutritionist consultations available directly at their MS clinics.
The research also identified specific service gaps. Many patients felt that their current clinics didn’t offer enough support for mental health concerns, which is important because MS often affects mood and emotional wellbeing. Additionally, patients wanted more education about exercise and diet tailored to their specific MS situation. The survey suggests that patients see their MS clinic as a potential hub for comprehensive support, not just a place to manage their disease medication.
This research aligns with earlier studies showing that MS patients often feel isolated and unsupported in managing the lifestyle aspects of their condition. Previous research has documented that people with MS struggle with depression and anxiety at higher rates than the general population, and this survey confirms that mental health support is a significant unmet need. The emphasis on provider compassion and knowledge reflects findings from other chronic disease research showing that how doctors communicate matters as much as what they know.
This study captures what patients want at one point in time, so preferences might change as healthcare evolves. The 387 people who responded may not perfectly represent all MS patients—for example, people with more severe symptoms or transportation barriers might have been less likely to complete an online survey. The study doesn’t tell us whether expanding services would actually improve patient outcomes or satisfaction, only that patients want these services. Additionally, the research doesn’t explore cost-effectiveness or whether clinics have the resources to implement all the requested changes.
The Bottom Line
If you have MS: (1) Advocate for your needs when choosing or evaluating a clinic—ask about provider training, appointment availability, and available support services; (2) Seek out clinics that offer or can refer you to exercise and nutrition support, as these are evidence-based interventions for MS; (3) Ask about mental health resources, as emotional wellbeing is part of comprehensive MS care. For healthcare providers: (1) Prioritize appointment availability and reduce wait times where possible; (2) Develop or partner with services offering exercise guidance and nutrition counseling; (3) Integrate mental health screening and referrals into routine MS care; (4) Consider transportation assistance programs or telehealth options to reduce access barriers.
This research is most relevant for people with MS and their healthcare providers. It’s also important for clinic administrators and healthcare system leaders making decisions about resource allocation. Insurance companies and policymakers should pay attention, as the barriers identified (cost, transportation, appointment availability) are systemic issues that require broader solutions. Family members and caregivers of people with MS will also find this helpful for understanding what their loved ones need.
Changes in clinic services and appointment availability could show benefits relatively quickly—within weeks to months, patients might notice easier scheduling or access to new services. However, the lifestyle changes patients want support with (exercise and diet improvements) typically show health benefits over months to years of consistent effort. Mental health support benefits may appear within weeks to months as patients receive counseling or treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do people with MS say they need most from their doctors?
A 2026 survey of 387 MS patients found that 55% most wanted knowledgeable providers, 54% prioritized compassion and empathy, and 48% needed urgent appointment availability. Patients also requested support for exercise (52%) and diet changes (45%).
What stops people with MS from getting the care they need?
The biggest barriers identified by 387 MS patients were appointment wait times (44%), transportation challenges (39%), and financial costs (30%). These practical obstacles prevent many patients from accessing care even when they want it.
Are MS clinics offering mental health support?
According to a 2026 survey of 387 MS patients, mental health services were among the most requested but currently unavailable supports at many clinics. Patients expressed significant interest in having mental health resources available directly at their MS care centers.
What lifestyle changes do MS patients want help with?
In a survey of 387 MS patients, 52% requested support for improving exercise and 45% wanted help with diet and nutrition. Patients felt these lifestyle changes were important but lacked guidance from their healthcare providers.
How can MS clinics improve their services based on this research?
The 2026 survey suggests clinics should expand appointment availability, offer in-clinic rehabilitation and nutrition services, integrate mental health support, and provide education on exercise and diet tailored to MS patients’ specific needs.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly exercise minutes and daily diet quality (using a simple 1-5 rating) alongside MS symptom severity. This creates a personal record showing whether lifestyle changes correlate with symptom management, which can be shared with healthcare providers.
- Use the app to set and monitor specific, achievable exercise goals (e.g., ‘walk 20 minutes, 3 times per week’) and log meals to identify diet patterns. Share weekly summaries with your healthcare team to demonstrate progress and maintain accountability.
- Create a monthly dashboard showing exercise consistency, diet improvements, and symptom trends. Use this data to have informed conversations with your doctor about whether lifestyle changes are helping, and adjust goals based on what works for your body.
This research describes what MS patients report wanting and needing from their healthcare providers based on survey responses. It does not constitute medical advice. If you have multiple sclerosis, consult with your neurologist or MS specialist about appropriate treatment, exercise programs, dietary changes, and mental health support for your individual situation. The barriers and support needs identified in this study are general patterns and may not apply to all patients or all healthcare settings. Always work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized care plan.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.