Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Jelka Jansa, Occupational Therapist, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia, for her contributions to ths section.
We would like to acknowledge the use of information taken from the Parkinson’s Disease Society Singapore publication ‘Parkinson’s News' (Aug-Sept 2007) in compiling this information.
106-114 Borough High Street
Southwark
London
SE1 1LB
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0) 20 7357 6480
Website:www.cot.co.uk
Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation
1125 Colonel By Drive
Suite #3401
Ottawa
ON K1S 5R1
Canada
Tel:1-613-523-2268 or 1-800-434-2268
Fax:1-613-523-2552
Email:skamble@cotfcanada.org
Website:www.cotfcanada.org
106-114 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1LB
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0)207 450 23 53
Fax:+44 (0)207 450 23 50
Email:beryl.steeden@cot.co.uk
Website:www.cotec-europe.org
PO Box 30
Forrestfield
Western Australia
6058
Australia
Fax:61 8 9453 9746
Email:admin@wfot.org.au
Website:http://www.wfot.org.au
There is interest within the EPDA in establishing a network of occupational therapy practitioners from across Europe. The European Occupational Therapists’ Network Parkinson's Disease (EOTNPD) (www.epda.eu.com/eotn) would develop and ensure a consistent approach and quality of OT intervention throughout European centres for extrapyramidal disorders.
The aim of EOTNPD would be to develop closer communication and enhance cooperation with extrapyramidal centres throughout Europe, to exchange information and expertise in the management of Parkinson’s.
One of the key concerns of this group is that there are great differences in the level of occupational therapy practice within the EPDA member countries. This means that therapists, who are assisting in the management of Parkinson’s, are using different assessment tools, treatment procedures and technical appliances.
A target group of occupational therapists with a special interest in Parkinson’s could provide a basis for future collaboration by means of sharing clinical experiences, conducting research and developing occupational therapy standards for the management of Parkinson’s. It will enable occupational therapists to develop a more specific process for Parkinson’s management and promote the occupational therapy profession to European countries who have little awareness of the benefits of occupational therapy in the management of Parkinson’s.
