The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF) developed this iPad app as an educational resource for clinicians and patients.
Clinicians can use the What is MDS? video as a resource when teaching patients about myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Other resources include:
-The Treating MDS Toolkit which includes patient education materials
-The MDS Risk Classification mobile app
-The Diagnostic Spectrum of MDS, MDS/MPN, and Myelofibrosis Reference Card
-The Nursing Network
-The eInsider Newsletter
Patients and their families can use the iPad app to learn about MDS in several ways:
-Watching the What is MDS? video
-Reading, listening or viewing the FAQ section
-Requesting educational materials and/or reading the materials included within the app. These materials provide information about why MDS results in low blood counts, such as anemia (low red blood cell count), neutropenia (low white blood cell count) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) and the associated symptoms. Information about risk levels, treatments, managing side effects, staying on treatment and preparing for office visits is also provided.
Through their Peer Support Network, AA&MDSIF can help patients get in touch with other patients and families also battling MDS. Their Standing Up For Your Health program helps patients with bone marrow failure diseases and their families develop the skills necessary to ensure they receive high quality care. Their patient educators are available to answer questions about the diagnosis of MDS, to talk about treatment options, to help find an expert, and to locate resources that can help ease the burden of treatment.
AA&MDSIF is a patient-focused, patient-centered organization, serving patients and families throughout the three phases of bone marrow failure diseases:
-the life changing phase of diagnosis
-the life threatening phase of treatment
-the lifelong phase of living with a chronic disease