THE FOX FOCUS...
ON RESEARCH
Making the Most of Your Next
Doctor Appointment
Training the Next Generation of
Parkinson’s Specialists
Rachel Dolhun, MD, offers tips for working effectively with
your physician
New program will expand the base of fellowship-trained movement
disorder specialists.
by kimberly sawicki and rachel dolhun, md
T
he physician-patient relationship is
just that — a relationship. No
matter what kind of doctor you see
for your Parkinson’s, effective
communication and understanding are key
to optimizing care.
1. PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT.
Think about the interim since your last
appointment. Were there any changes in
health, medications prescribed by other
physicians, or life in general? How are your
symptoms: the same, better or worse?
Thinking about this information ahead of
time will allow you to convey your
concerns succinctly so they can be
properly addressed by your physician.
2. DURING YOUR VISIT.
› Bring all of your pills (not just
prescription drugs but any over-thecounter medications, herbs and
supplements), in their bottles, to each
appointment. If there is any question
about how you are taking your
medications, it can be answered during
the appointment.
› Let a family member or care partner
accompany you. This person can relay
pertinent symptoms you may not be
aware of, ask questions you might not
have thought of, provide an opinion on
next steps and help you remember and
incorporate changes to the care plan.
› Be honest and open. Your doctor needs
all the information you can provide
about your medical history, if you are (or
aren’t) taking medications as prescribed,
and any need for clarification about your
condition or recommendations for
treatment.
3. BETWEEN VISITS.
Stay in touch with your physician’s office.
If you experience side effects from
prescribed medications, if pressing
questions arise or you encounter a
significant change (such as a fall or
hospitalization), don’t wait to contact
your doctor; call for additional guidance
prior to your next scheduled visit.
Learn more about specialty care for
Parkinson’s at partnersinparkinsons.org
Partners in Parkinson’s Continues
U.S. Tour
Partners in Parkinson’s offers free, full-day events aimed at connecting the PD
community with local resources. To learn more, visit partnersinparkinsons.org.
2015 CITIES AND DATES (MAY–DECEMBER) All events take place on Saturdays
May 9
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
May 16
DALLAS, TEXAS
June 13
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
8 THE FOX FOCUS
September 12
HOUSTON, TEXAS
October 10
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
October 31
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
December 5
EDISON, NEW JERSEY
Partners in Parkinson’s is a strategic
initiative of The Michael J. Fox
Foundation and AbbVie.
W
hen Parkinson’s patients get to
the right doctor, it often leads
to better optimization of care,
greater engagement in the Parkinson’s
community, and more participation in
clinical research,” says Debi Brooks,
co-founder of The Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Movement disorder specialists are
neurologists with extra training in
movement disorders, including Parkinson’s
disease (PD). They see a greater number
of PD patients than other physicians and
often participate directly in research.
Resources for training are limited
Lack of sufficient financial support for
centers to train movement disorder
specialists is just one hurdle to ensuring
there are enough doctors to meet PD
patients’ needs.
“Unfortunately, more people want to
enter the field than there is funding to allow.
Many fellows are unable to specialize in an
area that is only going to grow in demand,”
said Matthew B. Stern, MD, director of the
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement
Disorders Center at the University of
Pennsylvania Health System and president
of the International Parkinson and
Movement Disorder Society (IPMDS).
The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement
Disorders
To address this issue, with leadership
support from Q