A new educational resource designed to help increase understanding and awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) was recently officially launched.
MND affects approximately 2700 people in Australia, and it is estimated that two people are diagnosed every day with the disease.
Currently, there is no cure.
“There was a real need to develop an educational resource which brought together information on all aspects of MND, from neuroscience principles to care approaches,” Professor James Vickers, Director of the University’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, said.
The new MND MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) has been developed by Wicking, in collaboration with Multiple Sclerosis Queensland, through a grant provided by FightMND-Perpetual.
“The MOOC was designed in collaboration with Australian MND groups, people with MND, their families and care teams, national and international MND researchers and clinicians,” Professor Vickers said.
Wicking Academic Lead for the MND MOOC, Dr Sharn Perry, said the MOOC was created to provide an accessible, multidisciplinary course which will assist a broad range of learners within the MND community.
“The MOOC is available to everyone and covers areas including information about the disease, diagnosis and medical management, as well as living with MND,” she said.
Professor Matthew Kiernan, CEO and Institute Director of Neurosciences Research Australia, said the MND MOOC would provide an invaluable resource for those living with MND, carers and health care professionals.
“MND is a universally progressive disease, that affects people at the prime of their adult life,” he said.
“The relentless progression of MND causes weakness, paralysis and cognitive problems, with most patients dying from the disease within 2-3 years of symptom onset.”
MS Queensland CEO David Curd said community support was available for families.
“Fortunately, there are many excellent state-based and national organisations specifically focused on supporting and advocating for people and their families living with MND,” he said.
“These organisations play a critical role in ensuring that MND is not a condition that people and families must face alone.”
For more details on the MND MOOC including course dates and FAQs please visit https://mooc.utas.edu.au/course/20279
What is MND?
- Motor Neuron Disease (MND) refers to several neurological disorders that are characterised by progressive and degenerative changes in nerve cells that control muscles and movement.
- This can lead to weakness and deterioration in movement, strength, swallowing, speaking and breathing as well as muscle stiffness and cramps.
- A person with MND may come to require assistance with a range of functions as the disease progresses.
- MND is a major cause of significant disability, with an average life expectancy of two to five years after diagnosis.
Image caption: Professor James Vickers (left) Director of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and David Curd, CEO of MS Queensland.