Introduction
There is less cost to society when Parkinson’s is treated early and properly but still, throughout Europe there exists inflexible pricing and reimbursement schemes, doctor appointment time limitations, and concerns over the availability and access to medication.
The past 12 years has seen a mountain of activity aimed to improve healthcare services around the world to patients generally. One of the main focuses of the EPDA in 2009, has been to look at what change has taken place in the management of Parkinson’s throughout Europe since the launch of the Charter for people with Parkinson’s in April 1997 in London, UK.
What difference has the Charter made to present day healthcare services throughout Europe? Has the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s improved? Are people being referred to a doctor with a special interest in Parkinson’s? Do they receive an accurate diagnosis? Do they have access to support services? Do they receive continuous care? And, do they take part in managing their illness? If not, why not?
These are just some of the important questions the EPDA is seeking answers to.
These questions have led to the Move for Change initiative. Together with the EPDA’s Awareness campaign, Life with Parkinson’s, the EPDA are confident that by working in partnership with their European member organisations, change can be effected for the betterment of people with Parkinson’s, their families and friends, throughout Europe.
One of the main focuses of the EPDA in 2009, has been to look at what change has taken place in the management of Parkinson’s throughout Europe since the launch of the Charter for people with Parkinson’s in April 1997 in London, UK.
- What difference has the Charter made to present day healthcare services throughout Europe?
- Has the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s improved?
- Are people being referred to a doctor with a special interest in Parkinson’s?
- Do they receive an accurate diagnosis?
- Do they have access to support services?
- Do they receive continuous care? And, do they take part in managing their illness? If not, why not?
These are just some of the important questions the EPDA is seeking answers to.
These questions have led to the Move for Change initiative. Together with the EPDA’s Awareness campaign, Life with Parkinson’s, the EPDA are confident that by working in partnership with their European member organisations, change can be effected for the betterment of people with Parkinson’s, their families and friends, throughout Europe.
The results of the ParkinsonNet trial featured in EPDA Extra Move for Change supplement November 2009 and published in the Lancet Neurology journal* indicate that a ParkinsonNet network provides an improved quality of care at substantially reduced costs compared with usual-care networks.
* www.thelancet.com/neurology Published online December 2, 2009 DOI:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70327-8
