Advances in Physiotherapists’ Expertise in the Management of Parkinson’s Disease in Ghana

Context and Purpose

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms which negatively impacts on a patient’s quality of life (Ma et al. 2016) and worsen with the disease progression (Hely et al., 2005). The appropriate diagnosis and effective management of PD requires specific expertise and from the literature, health professionals have been reported to lack such competence (Keus et al., 2004; Abbott et al., 2011). Limitations in the identification of the clinical manifestations and the evidence-based management of the disease have been reported among physiotherapists (PTs) in Ghana (Agoriwo, 2018).  This report presents the approache employed and the progress made to advance the clinical expertise of Ghanaian PTs in the effective management of the disease.

Relevance

A training program was designed with an aim to increase the awareness of PD amongst Ghanaian PTs and improve their knowledge and clinical skills in its management

Description

A two-day workshop themed “Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s: A Practical Approach” was organised in collaboration with Ghana Physiotherapy Association under the sponsorship of the International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) to advance physiotherapists’ knowledge, clinical expertise and  evidence-based management of persons with PD.

A before and after evaluation was conducted to measure PTs’ knowledge about PD and their perceived confidence in the assessment, treatment planning and effective management of persons with PD.  The workshop was facilitated by one international faculty from the UK and two local faculties who specialise in the management of persons with PD.

Evaluation

In consultation with the faculties, a questionnaire was developed for participants to answer before and after the training. The questions focused on participants’ knowledge about the cardinal motor signs, non-motor symptoms and complications of PD; clinical management of PD and their level of confidence in assessment, treatment planning and effecting of evidence-based interventions.  Forty-three and thirty-five participants completed the questionnaire before and after the training respectively. At the end, 60% of the participants expressed perceived increase in PD-specific expertise compared to 9.3% of the participants before the training. However, the questions were discussed at the end of the training.

Conclusions

Through this training, Ghanaian PTs advanced their knowledge about PD and its assessment, treatment planning and the evidence-based management of persons with the disease.

Implications

The acquired knowledge has improved the expertise of PTs which will subsequently enhance the quality of care for persons with PD in Ghana. Condition specific trainings of this nature should be organised regularly to improve PTs expertise and services.

Keywords

Physiotherapist, Parkinson’s disease, PD-Specific Expertise, Ghana