Collaborative Care for Parkinson's Disease Initiative

Duration: June 2021 to December 2021

Having a multidisciplinary team composed of both healthcare and allied health professionals, and applying a collaborative approach helps ensure that the needs of persons with Parkinson’s are met in all areas. Thus, I am so happy to announce the partnership between Parkinson Wellness Projects (PWP), Dr. Keiran Tuck, and I to support the Parkinson's community of Greater Victoria.

For the duration of this initiative, I will be working closely with Dr. Tuck, movement disorder specialist from the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Clinic at the Royal Jubilee Hospital to help manage the care of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Participation in this initiative is open to patients of Dr. Tuck, and for those who are also interested in talking with me about their medication regimen. As this is a pilot project, we will be taking up to 30 individuals at this time. Selection for the pilot project will be based on when the individual's scheduled appointment with Dr. Tuck is, as well as my availability to schedule a medication consultation before and after that date. Those invited to participate in the pilot will be contacted through e-mail with information outlining the next steps.

** Update (June 19, 2021) **: I will also be seeing individuals who are patients of Coleen Heenan, nurse practitioner at the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic. The set-up (see below) will be the same as for those who see Dr. Tuck.

How it works:

I will have a medication consultation with the individual approximately 2 weeks before their appointment with Dr. Tuck. We will discuss their current medication regimen, and address any questions or concerns that they may have. I will forward my consultation notes to Dr. Tuck before their scheduled appointment with him.
About 2 weeks after their appointment with Dr. Tuck, I will conduct a follow-up consultation with the individual to see how they are doing in regards to their medication regimen.

Pharmacist appointment

Movement disorder specialist appointment

Pharmacist follow-up

appointment

Communicate with other members of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic team

Communication with other members of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic team, Coleen Heenan (nurse practitioner) and Jasmine Cload (speech-language pathologist) will be conducted as appropriate to help ensure continuity of care.
Throughout the duration of the initiative, PWP will be an available resource and support for those with additional questions pertaining to PD.
Soon after the follow-up consultation, participants will be asked to complete a survey about their overall experience with the pilot project.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this initiative. I would also like to give a tremendous THANK YOU to Parkinson Wellness Projects for funding this initiative. It was your support from the very beginning that made this all possible!