Multidisciplinary Care in Parkinson's Disease

Int Rev Neurobiol. 2017:132:511-523. doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.02.001. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is now known to be a multisystemic and multipeptide neurodegenerative disorder, whereby patients have an array of symptoms both motor and nonmotor. Nonmotor features of PD have been shown to arise almost 15-20 years prior to motor symptoms and, as such, are also a key determinant to the quality of life of a patient. Therefore, there is increasing evidence that a PD patient's management must encompass a multidisciplinary approach to effectively manage and treat the patient's PD and also their individual symptoms. Therefore, the notion that a PD nurse specialist and a neurologist are the only key players, is no longer the case. Rather, the involvement of speech and language therapist, physiotherapists, palliative care, and others is vital for a patient's recovery and their effective management. Here we discuss a few professions who should ideally be present for each PD patient.

Keywords: Multidisciplinary team; Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Patient Care Team* / organization & administration