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 was 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.
In the near future, ParkinsonNet Luxembourg will submit an application to become one of the future “réseau de compétences” recently announced by the Ministry of Health.
We are pleased to announce that ParkinsonNet Luxembourg takes the next step: the 2nd 3-Day Basic Course Training together with international experts from the Netherlands will take place on 16 - 18 June 2020 at the Maison du Savoir on Campus Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette. The course will be open to the following disciplines:
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- speech and language therapists
- social workers
- dieticians
- (neuro-)psychologists
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.
Registration fee for this 3-day training (day 1: multidisciplinary training; day 2-3: specialised training per discipline) is 120 €. The annual membership fee amounts to 40 €.
As the number of places is limited, a selection to enter the training will be done based on:
- The demographical and geographical needs of the Luxembourgish PwPD.
- The 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.
Criteria healthcare professionals have to agree to before joining ParkinsonNet Luxembourg:
- Willingness to take an active part in the exchanges in the multi- and interdisciplinary network of ParkinsonNet. Have a high degree of responsiveness to the different ways of communication (ex. exchanges via email).
- Willingness to work according to the evidence-based guidelines.
- The ParkinsonNet membership is personal and does not extend to the group or corporation that the member works for (e.g. group practice, care network, hospital).
- Your name and work address will be publicly announced on the ParkinsonNet website (therefore accessible to health professionals, prescribers and the general public).
- As the primary communication language of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg is English, a proficient understanding and speaking of English are required.
Criteria that need to be met to stay member of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg:
- Willingness to take an active part in the exchanges in the multi- and interdisciplinary network of ParkinsonNet. Have a high degree of responsiveness to the different ways of communication (ex. exchanges via email).
- Participation in the continuous training offered by ParkinsonNet. Minimum participation quota in training events over two years is 80% unless an exception has been granted by the steering committee of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg.
- Presenting at least once every two years a case in a monodisciplinary or multidisciplinary event.
- Participation in ParkinsonNet evaluation processes.
- Each member needs to indicate the number of Parkinson's patients of which he/she is taking care of in a transparent manner.
- Actively sharing knowledge and information with your peers.
- Being aware that if criteria are not satisfactorily fulfilled, ParkinsonNet membership will expire.
If you wish to participate, please send your application including the filled in form to the ParkinsonNet Luxembourg team via email (info [at] parkinsonnet.lu). fax (+352 46664436286) or via post (address at the end of the form) until 31st of March 2020.