Currently, over 1000 people in Luxembourg live with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a number expected to have doubled by 2040. PD is characterised by a multitude of symptoms that vary from patient to patient and is frequently associated to comorbidities. In order to guarantee a high standard of care for these specific patients, up to 19 different healthcare professionals have to work hand-in-hand in a multidisciplinary team.

In order to facilitate this important cooperation, ParkinsonNet Luxembourg has been implemented in 2018 based on a Dutch model. ParkinsonNet is an integrated healthcare model creating a patient-centered care by training healthcare providers on how to specifically treat people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and by facilitating communication between the different healthcare disciplines around an individual patient. This allows PwPD to choose accredited specialists.

The current 40 ParkinsonNet members, composed of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists that have started their specialisation in 2018, report an increase in experience but also a higher work satisfaction.

ParkinsonNet Luxembourg has submitted an application to become one of the future réseau de compétences which was announced by the Ministry of Health. Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Hôpitaux Robert Schuman, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch and Centre Hospitalier du Nord declared their willingness to support and participate in this réseau de compétences.

Join the basic course training

The second 3-day basic course training will take place on 4 and 5 March, and 30 April in 2022 on Campus Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette. International experts from the Netherlands as well as ParkinsonNet Luxembourg trained specialists will join the course as instructors. This event will be organised under the CovidCheck system, meaning it will follow the sanitary measures and recommendations in place at that time.

The course will be open for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists.

By joining ParkinsonNet Luxembourg and following the continuing training, you will gain a highly specialised and practice-oriented expertise, which will distinguish you as a specialist in treatment and care of Parkinson’s in Luxembourg.

As the number of places is limited, the applicants will be selected based on:

• demographical and geographical needs of the Luxembourgish People with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD).
• Luxembourgish PwPD’s needs of therapists in different working environments (hospital, self-employed, …).
• experience in the treatment of Parkinson’s will be seen as an asset but not a must.

In case of a high number of applications, a further selection will be made based on interviews.

The registration fee for this 3-day basic course training is 120 € and the annual membership fee to be a member of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg is 40 €. In order to join and be part of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg, you will also have to agree on the membership criteria.

How to register for the ParkinsonNet Luxembourg basic course training

The ParkinsonNet basic course training starts course starts with an e-learning module that has to be completed before the in-person course that starts on 4 March 20222. The focus on this module is on Parkinson’s disease, as well as medical and non-medical treatment. Check out the agenda for more information.

If you wish to participate, please send your application including the filled in form to the ParkinsonNet Luxembourg team via email (anne.kaysen@parkinsonnet.lu) or via post (address at the end of the form) before 15 December 2021.