Mapping Telemedicine Landscapes in Parkinson's Care: Assessing person-centered technologies
Our research and development efforts are focused on creating new care models that can reduce costs while improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers.
Introduction
The expenses for brain disease in European national health budgets exceed €800 billion per year. It is expected that the number of patients will significantly increase in the next decade. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that typically develops in individuals over the age of 60 and cannot be cured. PD is characterized by both non-motor and complex motor symptoms. Currently, it is estimated that 1.2 million people in Europe suffer from PD, and this number is projected to double worldwide by 2030 due to demographic changes. The healthcare system in Europe will face a tremendous challenge in providing adequate care for PD patients in the coming years. Therefore, our research and development efforts are focused on creating new care models that can reduce costs while improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. One particular area of interest is person-centered care, which tailors healthcare to the specific needs and requirements of each individual. Experts increasingly view digital technologies as a promising tool for achieving person-centered care in PD. These technologies enable the collection of more information, which can be used for personalized care planning. But there are unanswered questions about how the health workforce should be prepared to use digital technologies.
Goal
There is a pressing need to establish a clear research and development agenda for digital solutions that support PD care and integrate these solutions into clinical practice. The main objective of the consortium is (1) to picture the state of telemedicine for PD, (2) assess the level of person-centeredness that existing technologies enable and (3) reflect on the opportunities and barriers existing telemedical solutions may hold for advancing towards person-centered care for person´s with PD and their caregivers. To achieve these objectives, the consortium is focusing on three main actions. In each of these goals, methodological rigor, ethical reflections and ensuring knowledge translation are particularly important to us.
Approach
This consortium will focus on the three main actions. Methodological rigor, ethical considerations, and knowledge translation are particularly important in each of these goals. With a focus on person-centered care, the consortium's primary objectives are to assess the current state of telemedicine, project future risks and opportunities, and develop actionable recommendations within structural, legal, and ethical frameworks. Through rigorous methodologies, patient engagement, and a robust dissemination strategy, the consortium aims to catalyze advancements in the care and support for persons with PD. The Working Group will perform a systematic mapping of the current state of digital technologies relevant to PD. We will carry out a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of existing digital technologies for PD. Research gaps and barriers will be identified.
Results
At the conclusion of Goal 2, the Working Group expects to produce a forward-looking report outlining the anticipated opportunities and risks associated with the advanced use of digital technologies in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating PD. This report will be characterized by a patient-centered approach, methodological rigor in risk identification, and a holistic view of the evolving telemedicine landscape. The insights generated will inform the subsequent development of actionable frameworks in Goal 3.