TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2016 /CNW/ - It's no surprise that pharmacists are an important member of the health care team for a person with Parkinson's. Pharmacists advise them about their medications, potential side effects and possible adverse interactions with other medications. Taking medication as prescribed and on time is an important factor in living well with this disease.
With this in mind, Parkinson Canada is launching an online learning module, especially designed to help pharmacists understand Parkinson's medications and advise their patients living with this brain disease that gets worse over time.
"Parkinson's disease is a complex neurological disease and is best treated by a team of health care professionals," says Grace Ferrari, Senior Manager, Education & Support, for Parkinson Canada. "Pharmacists are a primary source of information for patients about medications, not only their prescription drugs to treat Parkinson's, but also over-the-counter medications, and interactions between food and drugs. We know that the practice of pharmacy is evolving from one of dispensing medication to one of patient-centeredness, so it is important that we provide this online learning module to help pharmacists quickly identify their patients' needs and provide the most relevant help."
The module Parkinson's Disease Management was developed by Dr. Greta Mah, the clinical pharmacist for the Parkinson's Management Program and the Geriatric Day Hospital at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
The learning module uses case scenarios to provide learners with a better understanding of drug treatment options at the different stages of Parkinson's disease. After completing the module, pharmacists will be able to:
Pharmacists, or other health care professionals, can register for the Parkinson's Disease Management online learning module by completing the online registration form. A fee of $30 applies.
In addition to the learning module, Parkinson Canada was testing a pilot medication application (app) accessible by mobile phone or tablet during last month's World Parkinson Congress 2016 in Portland, Oregon. A potential resource for both health care practitioners and people with Parkinson's, the medication app will provide the health care provider with the most relevant treatment options and aims to develop patients' self-management skills.
"We were very excited to share this application at the World Parkinson Congress," says Grace Ferrari. "With more than 4,000 people onsite, it was the perfect opportunity to gather expert feedback on the tool from all the key potential user groups, including patients, care partners and a variety of health care professionals and researchers."
Tejal Patel, BScPharm, PharmD, and Feng Chang, BScPharm, PharmD, are the experts behind the app. They also wrote the 2015 article "Practice recommendations for Parkinson's disease: Assessment and management by community pharmacists" for the Canadian Pharmacists Journal. Patel and Chang are also the authors of a Parkinson Canada medication booklet, currently in production. It will be a comprehensive resource for people living with Parkinson's, their caregivers and medical professionals.
Visit our websites at: www.parkinson.ca and www.parkinsonclinicalguidelines.ca for updates on these and other educational resources.
About Parkinson Canada
Parkinson Canada is the voice of Canadians living with Parkinson's disease. From diagnosis to discovery, since 1965 the group provides education, advocacy and support services to people living with Parkinson's and their caregivers. Parkinson Canada also offers a number of resources for health care professionals and their patients as well as learning opportunities and the Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson's Disease. The Parkinson Canada Research Program funds innovative research to search for better treatments and a cure. Parkinson Canada is an Imagine Canada accredited organization. Visit www.parkinson.ca
SOURCE Parkinson Canada
Image with caption: "Parkinson Canada is reaching out to pharmacists with an online learning module to enhance their ability to advise people living with the disease. (CNW Group/Parkinson Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161004_C8723_PHOTO_EN_787448.jpg
Media contact: Kelly Mills, Communication Associate, Parkinson Canada, Tel: 416-227-3396 or 1-800-227-9700, ext. 3396, Email: [email protected]
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