Patient education in Parkinson's disease: Formative evaluation of a standardized programme in seven European countries.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a newly developed education programme for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.


METHODS
The programme consisted of eight sessions and aimed at improving knowledge and skills related to self-monitoring, health promotion, stress management, depression, anxiety, social competence, and social support, all with special reference to PD. The programme was formatively evaluated in seven European countries (Spain, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Estonia, Germany) with 151 patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD. The evaluation included patients' ratings of the comprehensibility and feasibility of the programme as well as mood ratings before and after each session. Patients also completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of the programme to explore possible changes in disease-related psychosocial problems, quality of life, and depression.


RESULTS
The programme was feasible to run, and patients were able to understand its elements. Patients reported mood elevations following individual sessions and reduced disease-related psychosocial problems after completing the programme. There were no substantial differences in results between cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient education appears to have potential as a useful and feasible intervention, complementing medical treatment in PD.


CONCLUSIONS
The present programme will soon be available in seven European languages and can be tested in different health care systems.
Macht
Michael
M
Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Marcusstrasse 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany. macht@psychologie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Gerlich
Christian
C
Ellgring
Heiner
H
Schradi
Martina
M
Rusiñol
Angels Bayés
AB
Crespo
Maricruz
M
Prats
Ana
A
Viemerö
Vappu
V
Lankinen
Anu
A
Bitti
Pio Enrico Ricci
PE
Candini
Lorena
L
Spliethoff-Kamminga
Noëlle
N
de Vreugd
Janny
J
Simons
Gwenda
G
Pasqualini
Marcia Smith
MS
Thompson
Simon B N
SB
Taba
Pille
P
Krikmann
Ulle
U
Kanarik
Eve
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003479:Curriculum; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires