Related Experiment Videos
Multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson's disease: the new kids on the block!
Danique L M Radder1, Nienke M de Vries1, Niels P Riksen2
1a Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour , Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
Insights
Parkinson's disease (PD) management requires a multidisciplinary team, expanding to include specialists in vascular medicine, gastroenterology, and palliative care. This holistic approach enhances patient quality of life and disease management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex, chronic disorder with diverse motor and non-motor symptoms.
- Progressive PD increases risks of falls and loss of independence, significantly impacting quality of life.
- A holistic, multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective PD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of newly recognized disciplines in the PD healthcare team.
- To discuss the evolving role of healthcare professionals in managing PD.
- To incorporate patient and caregiver perspectives in multidisciplinary care.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging roles of various medical specialists in PD care.
- Inclusion of patient and caregiver viewpoints on team involvement.
- Exploration of tele-neurology in movement disorder management.
Main Results:
- Identification of key specialists including vascular medicine, gastroenterology, pulmonology, neuro-ophthalmology, urology, geriatrics, palliative care, and dentistry.
- Emphasis on patient and caregiver involvement in the multidisciplinary team.
- Discussion of the evolving role of movement disorder neurologists and tele-neurology.
Conclusions:
- Expanding the multidisciplinary team with diverse specialists can improve Parkinson's disease management.
- Integrating patient and caregiver perspectives enhances holistic care.
- Tele-neurology offers a new avenue for specialized care delivery in PD.
Introduction:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic multisystem disorder that causes a wide variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. Over time, the progressive nature of the disease increases the risk of complications such as falls and loss of independence, having a profound impact on quality of life. The complexity and heterogeneity of symptoms therefore warrant a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Specific healthcare professionals, e.g. the movement disorders neurologist and the PD nurse specialist, are considered essential members of this multidisciplinary team. However, with our increasing knowledge about different aspects of the disease, other disciplines are also being recognized as important contributors to the healthcare team. Areas covered: The authors describe a selection of these relatively newly-recognized disciplines, including the specialist in vascular medicine, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, urologist, geriatrician/elderly care physician, palliative care specialist and the dentist. Furthermore, they share the view of a person with PD on how patients and caregivers should be involved in the multidisciplinary team. Finally, they have included a perspective on the new role of the movement disorder neurologist, with care delivery via 'tele-neurology'. Expert commentary: Increased awareness about the potential role of these 'new' professionals will further improve disease management and quality of life of PD patients.