Parkinson's Disease Society Project Reveals Need For Training On Parkinson's And Associated Mental Health Issues For Health And Social Care Profession

Main Category: Parkinson's Disease
Article Date: 14 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Results from a recent survey conducted by the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) reveal a lack of knowledge on the mental health issues associated with Parkinson's amongst health and social professionals in England.

Over 470 professionals, including GPs, social workers, and nurses* responded to an online questionnaire designed to identify current levels of knowledge and to assess future training needs. The results have been released as The Parkinson's and Mental Health Education Project.

The survey reveals:

- Approximately one third of professionals are not confident in identifying the mental health symptoms associated with Parkinson's

- More than half of the professionals have not received any training in this area during the last two years

- There is a willingness to learn more among health and social care professionals with 87% of them declaring an interest in learning more about the mental health symptoms associated with Parkinson's

The PDS is now planning a specific training programme designed for professionals with regular consultation with key professional bodies. Five programmes will be piloted across the UK from February 2009. For more information and to arrange attendance, contact Jackie Spencer, Mental Health Project Manager on jspencer@parkinsons.org.uk

Next month the Charity is holding a one-day conference for health and social care professionals involved in the care of people with Parkinson's who would like to update their knowledge on the mental health aspects of the condition.

'Parkinson's disease: responding to mental health issues in Parkinson's' is taking place on Thursday 23 September, at Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham. For more information email: professionals@parkinsons.org.uk

Attendees will hear presentations on Parkinson's disease and depression, dementia and impulse control disorders. Workshop sessions will cover evaluating mood disorder in Parkinson's and the interaction of cognitive dysfunction and gait.

Daiga Heisters, National Education Advisor at the Parkinson's Disease Society said: "The Parkinson's and Mental Health Education Project has clearly identified the need for health and social care professionals to increase their understanding of Parkinson's and related mental health issues. The PDS is keen to use this information to design a specific training programme to help professionals find practical ways to help their patients have the best quality of life and the upcoming conference is a good place to begin."

A limited number of Parkinson's Disease Society bursaries are available for health and social care professionals working with people with Parkinson's. For details, contact Daiga Heisters on professionals@parkinsons.org.uk.

A free resource The Professionals Guide to Parkinson's Disease is divided into eight professional disciplines and gives professionals a holistic view of the condition. For information on how to order this booklet go to http://www.parkinsons.org.uk

*The Parkinson's and Mental Health Education Project surveyed general nurses, mental health nurses, Parkinson's disease nurse specialists, neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, GPs, social workers, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists

About Parkinson's Disease Society

The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) is the leading authority in the UK on the condition and a world leader in research. We campaign for a better quality of life for people with Parkinson's wherever they live in the UK. We provide expert information on all aspects of Parkinson's and a local support network for people with Parkinson's, their carers, families and friends. We are the UK's leading non-commercial funder of research into the cause, prevention and improved management of Parkinson's and are confident that our work will help lead to a cure. We are totally dependent on voluntary donations.

Our Freephone Helpline, which provides help and advice to all people affected by Parkinson's, can be reached by calling 0808 800 0303 Monday-Friday 9.30am-9pm and Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm.

We are a membership organisation but support all people affected by Parkinson's.

Parkinson's Disease Society