World Parkinson Congress Highlights 2023
The World Parkinson Congress (WPC) is a triennial global gathering that provides a diverse range of participants with a platform to come together and engage in meaningful discussions and collaboration. The Congress facilitates learning and debates surrounding the latest scientific breakthroughs, medical advancements, and comprehensive care practices related to Parkinson’s disease (PD) among scientists, clinical researchers, healthcare professionals, individuals living with Parkinson’s, and others.
What sets the WPC apart from other scientific gatherings is its inclusive nature, aiming to bring together all members of the PD community. The event fosters a conducive environment for the discovery of a cure and the development of optimal treatments by encouraging collaboration among scientific, clinical, rehabilitation, and advocacy communities.
The 6th World Parkinson Congress took place from July 4 – 7 in Barcelona, Spain. WPC 2023 saw an impressive attendance, with delegates representing various professions: over 900 medical doctors and researchers, 450 registered nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and other clinicians, along with 685 people living with PD, and 260 carepartners/family members.
On July 4, the Congress commenced with a day of educational courses, followed by an inspiring opening ceremony showcasing the resilience of the Parkinson's community through stories of carepartners, people with PD, and healthcare professionals. The ceremony featured performances by the WPC Choir and dancers, including a special video message from Sir Paul McCartney, speaking about his personal experience with a friend diagnosed with the disease.
Representatives from Parkinson Society BC (PSBC), including staff and community members, were present at the event and found immense joy in connecting with fellow participants. They took the opportunity to re-establish connections on both local and international scales, especially after experiencing limited in-person interactions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives enjoyed engaging in discussions in small and intimate settings, where they addressed specific clinical issues that arise in their daily work. They appreciated hearing diverse perspectives and found valuable takeaways to implement in their practices.
“I am deeply touched by the people that I met and the stories that unfolded,” said PSBC Board Treasurer, Martie Rose Mendoza. “It was a great bonding experience for us.” PSBC community members also reported particularly enjoying Tightrope Impro Theatre’s PD Performance Troupe’s sold-out show: Tremors and Triumphs. The show at WPC 2023 marked the Troupe’s first in-person performance, after a prolonged period of virtual interactions due to the pandemic. “The wit and spontaneity of the Improv Troupe was definitely something to be admired,” said PSBC neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu. “It really showcased the importance of friendship, community, and laughter when navigating a chronic illness.”
Poster Presentations from PSBC
Bridging the Gap Between Clinical & Social Care: Social Prescription Initiatives
People living with Parkinson’s disease experience isolation and loneliness, resulting in reduced quality of life. Social symptoms, such as facial masking, difficulty with expressing emotion in communication, and recognizing emotional cues in others, can coexist with physical and psychological symptoms. These symptoms can cause people with PD to self-isolate. Despite the focus on pharmacological treatment as the gold standard for PD care, PSBC seeks to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s by adopting a biopsychosocial approach. Through social prescription initiative programs, PSBC aims to bridge the gap between clinical and social care, addressing both the physical symptoms and social consequences of PD.
Improving Equitable Access to Care Through Virtual Physiotherapy & Healthcare Navigation Programs
Parkinson’s disease is recognized as being multidimensional and complex, with various symptoms that can affect quality of life and functional capacity. It is widely known that using a multidisciplinary team approach offers better outcomes than pharmacology alone in management of PD. However, in British Columbia, people with Parkinson’s may face financial, geographical, and sociopolitical barriers in accessing allied healthcare professionals. Access to care and support should be a fundamental right. As a result, Parkinson Society BC aimed to address these inequities by removing as many identified barriers as possible through two complimentary virtual services: a physiotherapy (PT) and a healthcare navigation (HCN) service.
Pivoting to a Virtual World: How Parkinson Society British Columbia Increased Impact & Reach to the Parkinson’s Community During the 2020 Pandemic
Historically, Parkinson Society BC provided primarily in-person services, such as regional and provincial conferences, speech and swallow workshops, counselling, support groups, and exercise campaigns. With the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on all in-person gatherings, PSBC’s various in-person events and services were cancelled. PSBC problem-solved the halted provision of essential support services that the Parkinson’s community depends on to live well. Although a hindrance initially, the pandemic provided a unique opportunity to pivot service delivery onto a virtual platform.
This content was published in the Fall 2023 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.