As a Healthcare Professional | Parkinson Society British Columbia

Parkinson Society British Columbia has a number of resources designed specifically for healthcare providers. (

see Programs and Services - For Healthcare Professionals)

In addition, here are a few tips that might help you as you work with people who have Parkinson's. The information is taken from Parkinson Society Canada's "What You Need to Know about Parkinson's: Information for Health Care Staff at Long-Term Care Facilities".

Medication management is the most important part of controlling Parkinson's symptoms. Let your motto be: On time, every time! To achieve the best results, medication needs to be given according to the schedule set by the treating physician, even though this timing may not coincide with medication rounds.
Parkinson's symptoms may change from minute to minute. This is because of the disease, not because a person is trying to be "difficult".
Parkinson's is a progressive disease so a resident's needs may change over time. Charting symptoms and side effects is recommended if you notice a change.
Coping with Parkinson's involves a variety of unique challenges. You can obtain help and advice for your client's with Parkinson's by referring them to the interdisciplinary care team (social works, pastoral care, physical therapist, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, dietician etc.)

These are only some of the strategies we recommend. For more ideas and resources, please contact us.

Professional Caregiving and Burnout

Professionals involved with the ongoing care of a person with Parkinson's might include physicians, facility nurses and care aides, physiotherapists, speech therapists and others. It is all too easy for professionals to disregard the strain of caregiving. As a professional, it is easy to ignore the stress, looking at it as being simply part of the job. The dangers of ignoring burnout can include severe job dissatisfaction (leading to your withdrawal from your profession), family and interpersonal discord, and illness.

People enter health care professions for a variety of reasons and many do so because they want to help people and to "make a difference". This caregiving nature is fundamental to most health-related occupations and professionals can find themselves giving to others all day long. After a while, it is easy to feel drained of that positive energy.

The first step in dealing with burnout is to recognize some of the symptoms that are common in healthcare professions including, but not limited to:

Becoming aloof and indifferent to patient needs
Becoming cynical about your profession and about the "system"
Frequent headaches
Decreased attention to detail and greater willingness to "cut corners"
Insomnia resulting in chronic tiredness and reduced energy levels.
Gastrointestinal problems
Muscle aches, particularly back and neck pain
High blood pressure
Substance abuse including alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, illicit drugs, or prescription drugs
Frequent colds
Sudden weight loss or gain
Frustration and anger
Depression
Inclinations to high risk behaviors
High emotional volatility and irritability
Inability to concentrate including poor memory and reduced problem-solving skills

Addressing burnout is essential and can be accomplished in a number of ways:

Self-care workshops designed for your profession specifically
Communicate with family, friends, and peers
Talk with your manager
Take advantage of employee assistance programs
Request a leave of absence if possible
Seek medical advice for physical symptoms