Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of network-based care for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD).

Background: ParkinsonNet is a Dutch cost-effective, evidence-based, integrated and patient-centered model of network care for PwPD. In the Netherlands, ParkinsonNet has improved healthcare professionals’ PD expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs. In the ACTION-PD project, funded by THCS, a novel implementation strategy for further scaling of the ParkinsonNet care model was applied and evaluated with four participating regions in Europe.

Method: For the implementation, a centralized train-the-trainer concept was applied. A project team, with a project lead, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a speech & language therapist, was trained to set-up a network in their own region. The implementation in four European regions took place simultaneously to foster a learning community. The regions first mapped the current delivery of care in their region and conducted a stakeholder analysis, resulting in an implementation plan. For the execution of this plan, Dutch experts coached the local teams with knowledge and expertise on how to set-up PD-specific network-care. The implementation process and the effectiveness of the newly established networks were evaluated in a pre-post design. Trainers, project leads, healthcare professionals, and PwPD were interviewed and completed surveys.

Results: The ACTION-PD implementation strategy was successful in setting-up knowledgeable local project teams. These teams organized multi- and mono-disciplinary training courses in the local language for allied healthcare professionals. The trained professionals improved their knowledge about PD and its evidence-based treatment options and felt more competent in treating PwPD.

Conclusion: The ACTION-PD implementation strategy for network-based Parkinson’s care aims to make high quality care on a large scale accessible for PwPD. The long-term evaluation will provide further evidence on the impact of network-based care on care coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, accessibility of care, and patient outcomes.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/accelerating-the-implementation-of-network-based-care-for-parkinsons-disease-action-pd/