- Master class series

The PD Academy is a series of Master Classes in the management of Parkinson’s disease. It was developed when the Parkinson’s Disease Section of the BGS, responded to a need for a course for senior medical staff who wish to receive further education and training in Parkinson’s disease and its management. We believe this to be an innovative approach, and it is proving very popular. In addition to clinical skills enhancement, it offers mentorship and support, and aims to promote best practice and fulfil the clinical governance agenda in this disease area.

The aims of the programme are to: -

• enable geriatricians and general practitioners to further develop effective clinical management skills and to provide access to opportunities for 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 develop clinical skills across organisational boundaries;
• 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 (scheduled 2004);
• 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 fulfil the clinical governance agenda in Parkinson’s disease

The first course was held in Cornwall in September 2002, and concluded in London in January 2003. The second commenced in February 2003 at the Royal College of Physicians (London) and will conclude in Grantham in June 2003 (11th & 12th). A third will take place in Cornwall in September 2003 and will conclude in London in January 2004. The course is run in two modules, Module 1 in September 2003 will look at initial diagnosis and maintenance issues in Parkinson’s Disease. Module 2 in January 2004 will take participants onto Complex management of Parkinson’s Disease and will also focus on palliative care issues.

The faculty is comprised of experienced geriatricians, neurologists and clinicians from other relevant disciplines. Between modules participants will be mentored and undertake further learning through experiential visits with their mentor and through regional master class workshops. We are grateful for the assistance of Pharmacia through the provision of an unrestricted educational grant to establish this project.

For more information email Doug MacMahon : dgmacmahon@hotmail.com