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ABSTRACT
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.
Declaration of interest
B. Bloem was supported by a research grant of the Parkinson’s Foundation. D. Radder, H. Lennaerts and N. de Vries were supported by a research grant of ZonMw (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development). The other authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.
Author contributions
Paragraph 2.1 ‘The person with PD’ is a contribution by J. Andrejack, Parkinson’s Foundation Patient Advocate in Research and person with Parkinson’s disease.
Paragraph 2.2 ‘The specialist in vascular medicine’ is a contribution by N. Riksen, professor of Vascular Medicine.
Paragraph 2.3 ‘The gastroenterologist’ is a contribution by S. Diamond, assistant professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Paragraph 2.4 ‘The pulmonologist/respiratory rehabilitation specialist’ is a contribution by D. Gross, pulmonary medicine and rehabilitation specialist.
Paragraph 2.5 ‘The neuro-ophthalmologist’ is a contribution by D. Gold, assistant professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.
Paragraph 2.6 ‘The urologist’ is a contribution by J. Heesakkers, urologist.
Paragraph 2.7 “The geriatrician/elderly care physician is a contribution by D. Hommel, elderly care physician and E. Henderson, consultant Geriatrician.
Paragraph 2.8 ‘The palliative care specialist’ is a contribution by H. Lennaerts, Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist and junior investigator Palliative Care for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Paragraph 2.9 ‘The dentist’ is a contribution by J. Busch, former dentist and person with Parkinson’s disease.
Paragraph 2.10 ‘The new role of the movement disorders specialist via tele-neurology’ is a contribution by R. Dorsey, professor of Neurology specialized in movement disorders.
D. Radder and N. de Vries drafted the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the manuscript. B. Bloem is the study guarantor.