To capture the essence of palliative care, the World Health Organization defines it as the prevention and relief of suffering associated with a life-threatening illness.
An article in Parkinson’s News Today mentions an award granted by PCORI, based on its review process, to the Rochester University Medical Center and the Parkinson’s Foundation. The award seeks to establish a network of palliative care units throughout the United States.
The initiative will impact thirty-three U.S. centers and provide team-based palliative care training. The entire Parkinson’s global network consists of forty-seven Centers of Excellence staffed with neurologists or other specialists who are always current on the latest research and treatment.
The Foundation’s CEO issued a press release stating that the program adds a new type of support to caregivers as well as their patients. Dr. Benzi Kluger, who founded the Palliative Care Research Center, will lead the project. Dr. Kluger has been credited with a series of studies designed to improve patients’ quality of life through the reduction of pain and other issues experienced by Parkinson’s patients.
COVID’s Impact
In order to avoid unnecessary exposure and as an acknowledgment of the threat of COVID-19, personalized training for Parkinson’s patients will be held virtually. In addition, the training will include various COVID-19 topics.
Dr. Kluger and his associates had participated in a prior study funded by PCORI. In this study, Dr. Kluger’s team confirmed that palliative care detects and manages non-motor symptoms and gaps in patient care.
The study gave evidence that even those who are not personally trained may deliver certain levels of palliative care if they receive proper guidance.
About the Centers of Excellence
Dr. Kluger commented that the Centers of Excellence are leaders in the care of people with Parkinson’s. He believes that if this initiative is successful, it will lead to a new standard of team-based palliative care for people seeking treatment at the Centers. The training at the Centers will also provide healthcare professionals with a new set of skills.
