Managing Parkinson's disease: understanding the roles of multidisciplinary team members.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition linked to a decrease in the level of dopamine in the brain. It is characterised by a diverse range of motor and non-motor symptoms that can significantly affect people's ability to function and their quality of life. Pharmacological and surgical therapies alone are not sufficient to manage the condition and a multidisciplinary team approach incorporating various therapies is essential for alleviating symptoms and enhancing quality of life. This article discusses the roles of various members of the multidisciplinary team - including specialist nurses - in offering effective, comprehensive and holistic support to people with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers.