I put this on the list, so people who are interested already now can make a note in their calender. greetings Svend Not that it is temporary, the final program wil be sent when it is ready. THE THIRD EUROPEAN MEETING OF YOUNG ONSET PARKINSON PATIENTS IS ARRANGED BY: THE DANISH PARKINSON SOCIETY AND EUROPEAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION (EPDA) New Outlook on the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. We are heading towards a new outlook on the treatment of PD. An outlook that not only gives patients living with Parkinson's disease a better quality of life and more hope for the future, but also means less cost to society. This new revolution in the treatment of PD, can in results be compared to what happened when the effects of L-dopa was discovered in the late 60-ties. This revolution is on a broader scale, though. Medically: new, more effective and innovative drugs are introduced or being developed currently. Drugs with less side effects than the ones on sale now. As far as surgical interventions are concerned one can conclude that they turn out more precise, more effective and successful. In these two areas of the treatment of Parkinson's disease, it seems, a step has been taken in the direction of resolving the mystery of PD. Other revolutionary changes in the treatment of PD are "multi-disciplinary treatment" and "focusing on the patient". As regards the multi-disciplinary treatment, it has been, because of the complexity of the disease, necessary to acknowledge that there is a need to treat the "whole" person living with this illness - to secure a continued high quality of life despite disease. Besides having physical symptoms such as tremor, rigidity and on/off periods, the PD patient can also have learning difficulties and impairment of memory, suffer from depression and sudden change of moods, speech difficulties, suffer from autonomic disturbances, as for example sleeplessness, indigestion and difficulties with sexuality etc. The achievements of the multi-disciplinary treatment are much better than the results achieved through ordinary treatment because the different professionals within their field, work as a team, rather than the patient going for check-ups and getting mixed information, because no one knows what other treatment the patient is receiving and what this treatment consists of. . As regards "focusing on the patient", research shows that if the patient is given the optimum information on the disease, emotional support and concrete instructions on how to cope, the patient manage living with his disease in a more constructive manner. The symptoms are lessened and the accept and reorientation in life will be much easier. The "focusing on the patient" concept is based on a new view within the healthcare system. The patient's need are taken into consideration when the programme of treatment is "made to measure" in collaboration with the patient. Instead of acting only as an authority, the doctor, neurologist, physiotherapist etc. becomes more of a consultant to the patient, who very much takes responsibility for and conduct according to the disease. These new developments in the treatment of Parkinson's disease have not solved the problems of the disease but must be said to be an important step in the right direction. THE THIRD EUROPEAN MEETING OF YOUNG ONSET PARKINSON PATIENTS at Hotel Legoland, Billund, Denmark, from 5-7 September, 1997 "Parkinson's Disease - from Limitations to Possibilities" GOAL 1. Improving the quality of life for Europeans suffering from Parkinson's disease and their families by sharing knowledge and exchange experience. The conference gives the patients and the researchers a possibility to debate and to inspire each other. The patients have a subjective knowledge and experience of the impact of the disease on their life. The researchers have an objective knowledge of the disease, its consequences and treatment. The goal of this conference, with two kinds of expert opinion, is working towards a mutual goal: Obtaining a good quality of life despite disease. 2. Focusing on the patient. Broaden your horizon and develop mutual appreciation of, in collaboration with the professionals within the healthcare system, the importance of the fact that all treatment should, if possible, be based on the patient's own ability to act and manage on his own. We know the importance of being able to act and being responsible as an individual as well as a patient. The essence is the patient's attitude to his illness and how he deals with living with Parkinson's disease. We know that when the patient has access to the necessary information (including access to the latest medical and surgical advice), receive emotional support and instructions on how to act in stress/problem-related situations, they manage in a more constructive manner. 3. Multi-disciplinary treatment Parkinson's disease is a neurological disease that can affect all areas of a person's life: Mobility: tremor, rigidity and on/off periods, where the patient is unable to move. The ability to think, the memory and the ability to learn. The fluctuations of the emotional life sometimes heading towards depressions. The autonomic nervous system where speech, respiration, digestion system, sexuality etc. can be affected. Because of the complexity of this disease it also has a psychological, social and existential impact on the sufferer. A multi-disciplinary team is needed to treat the "whole" person living with this chronic neurological illness. It is not possible to highlight all topics, but we have chosen subjects of current interest in Denmark. Parkinson's disease and the treatment of this illness seen from different perspectives is the governing idea through the conference. And to have both aspects in mind in all perspectives of the treatment: What is the best possible treatment and what can the patient do to improve the condition. 4. Exchange experiences, make acquaintances with the participants from the different European countries. PROGRAMME The conference starts on the Friday afternoon with workshops. Workshops give the participants a possibility to share knowledge and experiences. >From experience we know that this active way of getting to know each other, leads to follow-up conversations, where the participants from different countries meet and discuss the workshop themes. The following dinner also allows the conversations and making of acquaintances to continue. The more formal lectures are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday - by then the ice should be broken. FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 1997 14.00 p.m. Registration 14.30 p.m. Workshop 1: The pharmacist in the patient's life Pharmacist Edvard Basch, Denmark Workshop 2: The computer in the patient's life Mr. Kees Paap, Holland and Mr. Flemming Rasmussen, Denmark Workshop 3: "Team Parkinson" Mrs. Vivi Dupont, Neurological department, Århus Hospital, Denmark Workshop 4: Advice on how to handle on/off periods Mrs. Ellis Jensen, physical training teacher 15.30 p.m. Tea and Coffee 16.00 p.m. Workshop repeat 18.30 p.m. Dinner SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER, 1997 09.00 a.m. Opening session * Welcome Address - HRH Princess Alexandra (Patroness of the Danish Parkinson's Disease Society - "Dansk Parkinsonforening") * Welcome Address - Mrs. Mary Baker, MBE, President of the European Parkinson's Disease Association, London, UK * Welcome Address - Mr. Erik Tychsen, Mayor of Billund, Denmark * Welcome Address - The Danish Chief Medical Officer * Welcome Address - Mrs. Erna Tind Kristensen, President, Danish Parkinson's Disease Society 09.30 a.m. Surgery - development and status Dr. Patricia Limousine, Neurologist, Grenoble, France 10.00 a.m. New medication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease Dr. Erik Dupont, Consulting Neurologist , Denmark 10.30 a.m. Tea and Coffee 11.00 a.m. Depression and dementia in connection with Parkinson's disease Dr. Leslie Findley, Consulting Neurologist, UK 11.30 a.m. Intellectual, psychological, energy loses and autonomic disturbances in PD. Dr. Finn Boesen, Consultant Neurologist, Denmark 12.00 noon Lunch 13.30 p.m. Depression, sexuality and Parkinson's disease. Dr. Lene Wermuth, Consultant Neurologist, Denmark 14.00 p.m. Changes in the relationship - implications for patients and carers Mrs. Pauline Smith, B.Sc., Director of Operations, PDS of the UK 14.30 p.m. Tea and Coffee 15.00 p.m. 1. The patient's experience of surgery. Mr. Gert Arien 2. The necessity to take responsibility for one's own life. Mrs. Kirsten Bruun, Journalist and patient 16.00 p.m. Close 19.00 Dinner, music and dance SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 1997 09.00 a.m. Disease as a guide to personal and spiritual development. Attitudes to life as a defence against disease. Professor, Jørn Halberg Beckmann, Psychologist , Denmark Hanne Dreisig, BSc., Research Chief 10.00 a.m. Mentality as a factor to reduce symptoms caused by Parkinson's disease. Stress-reduction and cognitive therapy. Professor J.H Ellgring, Institute for Psychology, Würtzburg, Germany 10.30 a.m. Tea and Coffee 11.00 a.m. A long time dying - who will pay for chronic service? Dr. Beverly Castleton, Consultant Physician, UK 11.30 a.m. The meaning of life - the meaning of disease. Former Bishop Vincent Lind 12.00 noon Perspectives -close of conference Mrs. Mary Baker, President of the EPDA 13.00 p.m. Farewell lunch 14.00 p.m. Sight seeing tour to "Koldinghus"