Teamwork in Parkinson's care: Building multidisciplinary models worldwide.
- 1Neurology Unit, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Departments, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Institution of the Good Samaritan Foundation, Moshi, Tanzania.
- 2Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
- 3Department of Neurology, Island Hospital, Penang, Malaysia.
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex, progressive neurodegenerative disorder requiring comprehensive, long-term management. PD affects millions of people globally and presents with motor and non-motor symptoms that progressively impair function and quality of life. While pharmacological therapy remains effective, optimal care extends beyond medication management. Traditional care models for PD often rely heavily on doctors and primarily target motor symptoms and motor complications, with less attention to non-motor symptoms, many of which remain under-recognized. This imbalance contributes to fragmented care and unmet patient needs. These challenges highlight the need for a multidisciplinary care team to address the full spectrum of patient needs. Therefore, integrating a multidisciplinary approach is essential for comprehensive PD management. This manuscript proposes a scalable, multidisciplinary care team model designed to optimise clinical outcomes, enhance quality of life, and remain adaptable across diverse healthcare systems worldwide. It addresses global challenges associated with MDT implementation and outlines potential future solutions. The manuscript also highlights stakeholder engagement in Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI), including initiatives in Tanzania and Thailand to raise community awareness. In particular, the "CheckPD" project and integrated "eat, move, sleep" lifestyle interventions promote lifestyle-based strategies for PD prevention and improved long-term management of PD. Overall, the model emphasises coordinated, patient-centred care that integrates medical, rehabilitative, psychological, and social support services.
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BibTeX
@article{dekker2026teamwork,
title = {{Teamwork in Parkinson's care: Building multidisciplinary models worldwide.}},
author = {Marieke Cj Dekker and Kanyawat Sanyawut and Lim Thien Thien and Hoe Wei Leng and Onanong Phokaewvarangkul},
journal = {Journal of Parkinson's disease},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1177/1877718x261499242},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910910},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Teamwork in Parkinson's care: Building multidisciplinary models worldwide.
AU - Marieke Cj Dekker
AU - Kanyawat Sanyawut
AU - Lim Thien Thien
AU - Hoe Wei Leng
AU - Onanong Phokaewvarangkul
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Journal of Parkinson's disease
DO - 10.1177/1877718x261499242
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910910
AB - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex, progressive neurodegenerative disorder requiring comprehensive, long-term management. PD affects millions of people globally and presents with motor and non-motor symptoms that progressively impair function and quality of life. While pharmacological therapy remains effective, optimal care extends beyond medication management. Traditional care models for PD often rely heavily on doctors and primarily target motor symptoms and motor complications, with less attention to non-motor symptoms, many of which remain under-recognized. This imbalance contributes to fragmented care and unmet patient needs. These challenges highlight the need for a multidisciplinary care team to address the full spectrum of patient needs. Therefore, integrating a multidisciplinary approach is essential for comprehensive PD management. This manuscript proposes a scalable, multidisciplinary care team model designed to optimise clinical outcomes, enhance quality of life, and remain adaptable across diverse healthcare systems worldwide. It addresses global challenges associated with MDT implementation and outlines potential future solutions. The manuscript also highlights stakeholder engagement in Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI), including initiatives in Tanzania and Thailand to raise community awareness. In particular, the "CheckPD" project and integrated "eat, move, sleep" lifestyle interventions promote lifestyle-based strategies for PD prevention and improved long-term management of PD. Overall, the model emphasises coordinated, patient-centred care that integrates medical, rehabilitative, psychological, and social support services.
SN - 1877-7171
SN - 1877-718X
ER -