Challenges of MS Diagnosis and Treatment in Türkiye

The lecture provides an in-depth look at the unique landscape of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) care in Türkiye, covering the structure of the national healthcare system, the high volume of neuroimaging, and the specific regulatory hurdles for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Dr. Sar highlights the contrast between the country's relatively low physician-to-patient ratio and its world-leading rate of MRI scans per capita, and discusses the "Health Implementation Communiqué" (SUT), which governs the strict tiered reimbursement policies for MS medications.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

1. Understand the structure of the Turkish single-payer healthcare system and its impact on MS patient access.
2. Analyze the paradox of high neuroimaging demand (MRI) despite a shortage of specialized healthcare personnel.
3. Explain the regulatory framework (SUT) that dictates first, second, and third-line MS treatments in Türkiye.
4. Identify the specific criteria required for switching between MS medication lines, including clinical relapses and MRI activity.
5. Recognize the challenges in patient management, such as the unequal distribution of care centers and the lack of multidisciplinary support.