An innovative education programme for people with Parkinson's disease and their carers

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 12; no. 8; pp. 478 - 485
• Main Authors: Simons, Gwenda, Thompson, Simon B.N., Smith Pasqualini, Marcia C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2006
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Caregivers - psychology; Carers; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease - psychology; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Parkinson's disease; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Education programme; Program Evaluation; Psychosocial problems; Self Concept; Self-help; Severity of Illness Index; Sickness Impact Profile; Surveys and Questionnaires; Carers; Self-help; Parkinson's disease; Patient Education programme; Psychosocial problems
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2006.05.003

Within a consortium of seven European countries, an education programme for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their carers was developed. Comprising eight 90-min sessions, the EduPark patient education programme deals with psychosocial problems often faced by people with PD and their carers. The implementation and initial evaluation in the UK of this innovative programme are described. The programme was favourably evaluated by participants, and resulted in short-term positive effects on their mood, although no statistically significant effects on quality of life and depression were found. The programme appears to provide a promising means for empowering people with PD and their carers to deal with psychosocial challenges.