Abstract Details

A one-day training and teaching course was developed by a core team to address knowledge and practice gaps, and to initiate the development of a multidisciplinary network on palliative care and PD within the Brittany area. Major areas covered by the teaching course included PD pathophysiology, PD pharmacological and non-pharmacological management, specificities of PD regarding the usual palliative care armamentarium (eg drug interactions, adverse events). The training part involved a practical workshop on the use of continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion. As part of a reflective practice, clinical case-centered discussions were also organized. Representatives of the French national Parkinson's association (Association France Parkinson) contributed to the teaching course by presenting available patients and caregivers resources. Finally, core documentation summarizing clinical practice guidelines and recommendations as well as a list of relevant partners were established and given to participants.

This initiative is a first step to optimize coordination and facilitate communication between the various healthcare professionals involved in PD management, including, but not limited to, end-of-life care. We also aim at increasing awareness on the topic of palliative care and PD, including among neurologists.