ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease affects more than 6,3 million people worldwide. Most patients and relatives are left alone to struggle with the symptoms associated with fluctuations in drug levels and the psychotic side effects of the anti-Parkinson's medications. Moreover, quite often even health providers may find difficult to interpret and manage the problems that have been encountered. AIM: The aims of the authors were to analyze systematically the biopsychosocial needs of Parkinson's patients, and to develop a complex, evidence-based Parkinson's-nursing-care model. METHOD: Patients' needs were assessed based on an observational study involving an old patient with Parkinson's disease for more than 28 years. The model has been specified as a multidisciplinary care framework adapted to the special characteristics of Parkinson's disease which transcends the limitations of different standard nursing models. RESULTS: The elaborated model contains a detailed description of cooperative problem solving, which is organized around individual patients along with recommendations for addressing various potential problems that might be encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the presented model can improve the life quality of Parkinson's patients and can facilitate the life of affected families provided that these families are well aware about the potential benefits of the novel care delivery system.
