The PD Academy is an initiative of the Parkinson’s disease Section developed to address the need for a course for senior medical staff who want further education and training in Parkinson’s disease and its management.

It takes the form of an interactive series of Master Classes run by experts in the management of Parkinson’s disease. This innovative approach was supported by the Parkinson’s Disease Society (UK), and has received an unrestricted educational grant from one of the major pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer Ltd, allowing it to progress. It is proving very popular and has recently awarded diplomas to its third set of graduates. In addition to clinical skills enhancement it offers mentorship and support. It aims to promote best practice and fulfill the clinical governance agenda in this disease area. A fourth masterclass is currently underway with a fifth planned for the autumn. The fifth Masterclass will receive support through an unrestricted educational grant from Boehriger-Ingelheim.

Programme objectives
The aims of the programme are to: -

• enable senior career grade clinicians further to develop effective clinical management skills and to provide access for advanced personal development and learning in the management of Parkinson’s disease;
• enable participants to develop skills in the application of a disease management model in Parkinson’s disease;
• provide opportunities for participants to improve clinical skills;
• enable participants to critically evaluate the relationship between clinical management, the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People and the forthcoming NSF for long term medical conditions and neurology;
• enable participants to relate theory in Parkinson’s management to practice as leaders of service development and delivery in their own local areas; and
• to understand and fulfill the clinical governance agenda and participate in audit of their practice in Parkinson’s disease

Theory and practice
The course is run in two modules. The first module looks at initial diagnosis and maintenance issues in PD. The second takes participants onto complex management issues and also explores psychiatric and palliative care issues. Between modules participants are mentored and undertake further learning through experiential visits with their mentor and through regional master class workshops. Throughout, the faculty is comprised of experienced geriatricians, neurologists and clinicians from other relevant disciplines.

Thus far, we have been very encouraged by the response. Recruitment has been brisk, with most of the participants being established consultant geriatricians. To a lesser degree, specialist registrars, staff grades and clinical assistants have participated as have a GP with a special interest in PD, a rehabilitationist, and an old age psychiatrist. These members are viewed as vital for nurturing and expanding embryonic PD services for the future.

In terms of educational achievements, we have done extensive pre course needs analysis and subsequent post course feedback has been very positive. The Masterclass year one data has demonstrated that identified needs have been met. Time will tell how services on the ground will change, but there are numerous indicators, such as the increasing numbers of multi-disciplinary PD clinics, and expansion of PD nurse specialists that suggest that our core objectives have been satisfied.

As a faculty, we have been enormously impressed by the interest, enthusiasm, and energy put in by participants, who receive an impressive 26 hours of CME credits from the Royal College of Physicians. If you want to sign up for the next Academy, you’ll have to be prompt!

Dates for Masterclass 5 are:
Module 1: 15-17th September at Carlyon Bay St Austell Cornwall
Module 2: March 2-4th 2005 in London

For an application form, please email: redpublishing@btopenworld.com or write to:
RED Publishing
First Floor
Bridge House
St Clement Street
Truro
TR1 1EH

Doug MacMahon