Health professionals and Parkinson’s
Getting the right care from health professionals is important to make sure your symptoms are managed well. This page introduces some of the health professionals you might see on your Parkinson’s journey.
Health professionals who can help manage your condition include Parkinson’s nurses, specialist doctors (for example neurologists or geriatricians), physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, mental health professionals and dietitians.
Each one will have a different role to play in supporting you. Some may have specialist knowledge in Parkinson’s. For example, a neurophysiotherapist can tailor care more than a general physiotherapist.
Who you may need to see depends on your symptoms, how they affect you and how they progress.
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General practitioner (GP)
Your GP should refer you to a Parkinson's specialist doctor for diagnosis. A GP can also refer you to a range of other health professionals, such as mental health professionals and physiotherapists.
Your GP may know you well, which can be helpful. But the average GP will only have a few patients with Parkinson's. It’s unlikely they will know as much about the condition as specialists do.
Your GP will continue to be important outside of your Parkinson’s care. They can help with other ways to stay well, including offering a flu vaccine. They will also be able to give you support with your general health.
Parkinson's specialist doctor
Parkinson's specialist doctors are usually neurologists or geriatricians (specialists in the care of older people), with a particular interest in Parkinson’s. It’s likely your specialist will have diagnosed you with Parkinson’s.
You will be invited to see your specialist around once every 6 months to a year, although this can vary. They will check how your Parkinson’s symptoms are affecting you and may suggest changes to your treatment.
Parkinson’s nurse
Parkinson’s nurses have specialist experience, knowledge and skills in Parkinson’s. They can support you with symptoms, side effects and any other medical issues or concerns related to your Parkinson's.
A large part of their role is helping to manage your medication, so you get the best results and fewer side effects.
Your specialist doctor would usually refer you to them once you get your diagnosis. If they haven’t, you can follow up and ask whether you will be referred to a Parkinson’s nurse. If you are told there is no Parkinson’s nurse in your area, please contact our helpline to find
out your options.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists can help you understand the medication you are prescribed, the potential side effects and explain how to take it. There are two different types of pharmacists, hospital and community.
A hospital pharmacist is a specialist pharmacist based in a hospital who monitors side effects from medication. They can work with other health professionals to suggest changes to your medication.
A community pharmacist can help you if you have other illnesses or conditions you need medication for. They can guide you on how to take these alongside your Parkinson’s medication.
Speech and language therapist
Speech and language therapists specialise in all aspects of communication. This includes speech, using technology, facial expression, problems with eating or swallowing and body language.
They will be able to give you techniques or tips to help prevent or reduce problems.
They can give you useful information about problems that may occur in future, how to spot them and what can be done about them.
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists can help you stay as independent and as safe as possible.
They assess how able you are to carry out day-to-day activities and suggest ways of making your home and workplace safer or more manageable. They may recommend equipment for your home, such as grab rails. Or discuss bigger changes such as a stair lift or a wet room.
They may be able to help you find strategies to deal with fatigue, communication and anxiety. And to help plan and pace yourself throughout the day.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists (sometimes called physios) can help you keep moving and functioning as much as possible through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They can also help you maintain good posture and balance.
Being active with Parkinson’s is important. It can help manage your symptoms and lift your mood. A physiotherapist can suggest ways you can get the most out of physical activity and exercise.
Together you can work out what is important for you, and they can help you to continue to carry out daily tasks for as long as, and as safely, as possible.
Dietitian
Dietitians can help if you have problems with your diet. They can help you maintain a healthy weight and advise on what foods you should be eating more or less of.
They can also help with common problems such as constipation, and if your symptoms are making it harder to eat or drink.
Mental health professionals
There are different mental health professionals that can help with mental health issues you might experience including anxiety, apathy or depression. Talking therapies are the main approach to these issues and can take different forms.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an example of a talking therapy. It can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
Counselling is another talking therapy. It involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you deal with any emotional difficulties you’re experiencing. A counsellor can work with you to understand any underlying issues that may be contributing to your depression or anxiety.
Other health professionals
There are other health professionals who you may need to see depending on your symptoms and how they progress.
These can include:
- urologists, who can help with bladder or bowel issues, which are more common in people with Parkinson’s
- gastroenterologists, who can help with any gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, digestive issues, nausea or diarrhoea
- podiatrists, who can help with foot problems caused by Parkinson’s.
A multidisciplinary team
Sometimes, a team of health professionals will work together to plan the treatment that is best for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team, or MDT for short. You’re at the centre of this team, and your treatment should be tailored to your specific needs.
Not everyone will have an MDT. This depends on how your symptoms affect you, and what services are available in your area.
Need some help?
Reach out to us. Our expert advisers can talk to you about how your healthcare team can support you and what to do if you’re having problems accessing healthcare services in your area. Call our helpline on 0808 800 0303 or click to find out more.
This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]