Parkinson’s Specialist Nurses share their experiences at this global event – this year held in Barcelona.
Lauren Hogan
Southern NSW Local Health District
Based in Goulburn
“This was my first World Parkinson’s Congress, having started in my current role just over 12 months ago. I felt so humbled to be representing Australia and Parkinson’s NSW at this major event. I have not experienced anything of this scale in my nursing career, nor previously been given the opportunity to be involved in such a worthy experience.
“It was such an emotional and raw experience when people living with Parkinson’s were able to share their experiences on such a platform. I felt so privileged to hear different perspectives of how people from around the world manage their challenges.
“The experience also took us as nurses outside the frame of practical, day-to-day care for our patients and gave us some perspective. We had the opportunity to hear from the world’s best health professionals how we can provide better care, and what is happening in the research field which informs our work.
“For me, the main take away was: ‘We’ve got this’. I feel as though what we are doing as specialist nurses for our patients is providing them with the right support and resources backed by the latest research. It gives hope for everyone in this field.”
Vince Carroll
Mid North Coast Local Health District
Based in Coffs Harbour
“This was my third World Parkinson’s Congress. The experience was as good as ever, with so many people from around the world sharing information, knowledge, and themselves. The Congress is unique because over half of the attendees are people living with Parkinson’s and caregivers.
“The Congress is up there as one of the best opportunities to reflect on your own knowledge, share information and rub shoulders with people living with Parkinson’s, researchers, and clinicians from around the world.
“It was also good to some of our local Parkinson’s patients and their family members come to Barcelona and be involved in the congress.
“My main take-away from the experience was that we are all in this together. We have the best in researchers and clinicians in the world working together to find a breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It feels this breakthrough is just around the corner!
“We are very fortunate in Australia to have some of the best Movement Disorder Specialists in the world. Our standard of care is world class however we need to make it accessible to everyone in rural and regional Australia”.
Jody Lloyd
Mid North Coast Local Health District
Based in Coffs Harbour
“This was my first Congress. I was humbled by the experience of sitting in lectures side-by-side with people living with Parkinson’s – learning about all aspects of Parkinsons – and how involved they and caregivers were in the conference. I personally don’t know of any other conferences where the patient is seated with clinicians and researchers.
“The Congress was a massive event. I was surprised at how many lectures I was not able to get to and found it frustrating at times, having to pick which subject I would attend. However I made sure I attended the lectures which touched on the issues which people living with Parkinson’s are regularly discussing with me in clinic.
“Now I am home again, I will be sharing all the great research I found. The experience also gave me confidence that we already offer a great service to our patients locally. Also, it was nice to have it reiterated that we are offering up-to-date information to the patients accessing our service.”
