Objective: Evaluate the effect of a change of approach for allied healthcare professionals (AHP): From a mono- to interdisciplinary follow-up of patients with PD.

Background: ParkinsonNet is a multidisciplinary network that aims to deliver high quality and individualized healthcare and improve the patients’ ability to self-management. ParkinsonNet was first introduced in the Netherlands in 2004, where it currently includes 15 different AHP, including nurses, speech therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, dieticians and others. Participating providers up to 4 times a year for training sessions and to strengthen the interdisciplinary network.

Method: In April 2017, the Norwegian ministry of health launched a 30-month long pilot study to customize the Dutch ParkinsonNet model to the Norwegian social and geographic setting. The model was introduced in two designated regions of Norway: Rogaland, with 470 000 inhabitants and an area of 9378 km², and the capital Oslo, with 635 000 inhabitants and an area of 427 km². A total of 238 healthcare professionals (speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses) were educated according to the ParkinsonNet model in the two regions and taught to build a network. A questionnaire for self-assessment of competency was sent to all participants before model launch and after one year.

Results: Achievements and challenges from the first training session and through one-year follow up will be presented. Results show that the level of knowledge across healthcare providers was uneven at baseline. Through focused targeting of the given needs and a practical approach, the overall knowledge of how to approach patients with PD and insight into the role of other healthcare providers increased by approximately 50% and more than 93% of the participants remained within the project.

Conclusion: Over all the implementation of the ParkinsonNet model in Norway was effective and feasible. Based on the findings in Rogaland and Oslo, Norway is now scheduling a national implementation. Further expansion of the number of participants and continuation of the training and network building will follow  and give more quantifiable outcomes.

The content of this abstract has been presented as a poster at the 5th World Parkinson Congress in Kyoto, Japan, June 4-7, 2019.
Session:  Poster session 2
Session Date:  Thursday, June 6
Board Number:  P35.02

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