Gender-specific nursing needs of people with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review

Abstract

Women and men with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience different disease courses and occurring symptoms. These lead to different gender-specific needs. However, gender-specific needs are often elusive for nurses and therefore difficult to address in daily care. Thus, our aim is to describe gender-specific needs of people with MS. A scoping review was conducted, covering papers published between 1999 and 2019. Overall, 26 studies were identified, and a deductive coding process was applied based on Henderson's Nursing Need Theory. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was used to write the scoping review. Different needs of female and male patients with MS are described in eight categories of Henderson’s Nursing Need Theory, occurring in mobility and elimination. The analysis shows differences in communication about the disease, individual needs, and the acceptance of support. To address these differences, training on gender-sensitive care should be offered in nursing education and for nurses.