NR 711 Week 6 Assignment; Project Planning and Preparation - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Project Planning and Preparation Patricia Mezzina Chamberlain University NR-711 Fiscal Analysis and Project Management Dr. Karen Myers December 13, 2025Project Planning and Preparation Introduction The purpose of the proposed DNP project is to provide an overview of the practice problem identified at the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center practicum site, along with the greater significance at the population and national level. The evidence-based intervention, a comprehensive wellness program, addresses the three priority focuses identified by the National MS Society including diet, exercise, and emotional well-being (Hart et al., 2011). A synthesis of the evidence will support the proposed practice change and an outline of the implementation plan, milestones, and measurement tools for evaluation will also be presented. Together, the details of the process will demonstrate how the intervention will improve the quality of life for the patients served. Assessment According to the Global Burden of Disease study, in the United States, there was a 23.9% increase in the incidence of MS, a 60.4 % increase in prevalence, a 75 % increase in disability- adjusted life years (DALYs), and as high as an 89.4% increase in mortality from 1990 to 2017 (Feigin et al., 2021). With approximately one million people living with MS in the United States today, the total economic burden has been reported to be 85.4 billion dollars annually (Global Burden of Disease, 2019). With annual direct excess medical expenses being approximately 65,612 dollars and indirect costs of 22, 875 dollars per patient, the biggest expenses are related to disease-modifying therapy and lost wages/productivity related to comorbidities and disability (Bebo et al., 2022). A focus on secondary and tertiary prevention, through a focus on wellness, may impact the economic burden, DALYs, and mortality (Donkers et al., 2019). The MS center currently serves 942 patients. Results of a chart review and needs assessment at the practicum site reveal a high incidence of obesity, anxiety, depression, and fatigue that negatively impact the overall quality of life (QOL) in the MS population enrolled at the center. This data is in alignment with current research. As much as 80 % of patients living with MS suffer from fatigue, 40-70% experience anxiety-inducing cognitive dysfunction, and 24% are diagnosed with depression which synergistically impacts overall mortality (Kern & Cepeda, 2020). Finally, obesity has been tied to the evolution and progression of MS (Schreiner & Genes, 2021). The practice gap identified was a lack of an organized process to address these comorbidities and modifiable risk factor reduction. Evidence Synthesis The Evidence-based intervention to be implemented is an 8-week wellness program that acknowledges the bio-psycho-neuro-immunological challenges experienced by patients living with MS. In a structured format, it provides education and enrichment activities that address the priorities identified by the National MS Society, modifiable risk factors and support patients to live their most authentic experience of wellness possible at every stage of the disease course and ultimately improve overall quality of life (National MS Society, n.d.-a). Meeting in a group format once per week for the course of the