As a research nurse at the Parkinson's Research Clinic, my work is multidisciplinary. Together with my colleagues, we closely follow participants in our research studies, overseeing everything from protocol design, sampling and data collection at patient visits, to data coding, extraction and analysis. On the clinical side, together with Professor Dr Krüger, we follow up patients at the CHL, particularly those receiving advanced therapies such as dopamine pumps. Such innovative treatments can sometimes be intimidating for patients. So we do our best to help them understand the technology as we adapt to the ever-changing landscape of Parkinson's research and treatment. We also liaise with the various care partners to promote the best possible continuity of care for patients in the community/rehabilitation setting.
With a Masters in Implementation Science, I strive to create an environment that best welcomes participants to our research clinic, and I am constantly looking for ways to rapidly translate our research into everyday clinical practice.
Having cared for a family member with Parkinson's disease, I've come to believe in a holistic and integrated multidisciplinary approach to Parkinson's care, with patient empowerment and self-care management. It's important to look beyond individual symptoms and provide support at multiple levels. Also, as research shifts towards preventive strategies, patient involvement at earlier stages and in different longitudinal cohorts has become essential.
By combining my passion for research with my experience, I hope to make a positive impact on patients' lives by helping to create a strong supportive and integrated network for them and their families. I am very grateful to all the participants and their families who contribute to research, without them we could not progress.