Integrated and patient-centred management of Parkinson’s disease: a network model for reshaping chronic neurological care

Chronic neurological diseases are the leading source of disability globally. Yet, our healthcare systems are not designed optimally to meet the needs of the many chronic neurological patients. Care is fragmented, with poor interdisciplinary collaboration and lack of timely access to services and therapies. Furthermore, care is typically reactive, and complex problems are managed inadequately due to lack of disease-specific expertise and insufficient use of non-pharmacological interventions. Treatment plans tend to focus on the disease rather than the individual living with it, and patients are insufficiently involved in clinical decision making. Utilising Parkinson’s disease as a model condition, we illustrate an integrated care concept with a patient-centred perspective that includes evidence-based solutions to tackle the limitations of current healthcare delivery for people with chronic neurological conditions. We anticipate that this integrated care model will improve the quality of lives of patients and create an attractive working environment for professionals, whilst being affordable for future generations.