What is S.E.A.R.C.H.™?
Designed as a memory aid, the SEARCH acronym represents the key areas that should be considered when “searching” for the most appropriate MS treatment. Each letter represents an important topic to be addressed by patients, physicians, and other healthcare and social service professionals. SEARCH stands for:
The SEARCH acronym is not only a useful tool to help frame and remember these important issues, but gives patients a way to start the conversation with their healthcare team. MSAA’s goal is to foster a positive doctor-patient relationship and allow the dialog to take its own course, recognizing that MS is a uniquely individual disease that affects each person differently. MSAA is not advocating any one treatment or approach, but is rather looking to help guide the conversation between patients and their medical team toward issues that matter most.
To assist with this conversation, MSAA has prepared a sampling of key questions within each aspect of SEARCH. These questions represent a broad overview of many different factors to consider and investigate. They also allow the flexibility for patients to adapt their specific medical history, current disease state, experiences and other physical, emotional, and financial aspects into the decision-making process.