Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example

Abstract Background A sustainable pandemic preparedness strategy is essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it is vital to provide clinicians and researchers in the neurodegenerative disease fields with resources and infrastructur...

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Main Authors: Marije J. Splinter, Emily J. Henderson, Yoav Ben-Shlomo, Sirwan K. L. Darweesh, Pawel Sowa, Frank J. Wolters, Premysl Velek, Hannie J. E. M. Meijerink, Paulus Bakx, M. Arfan Ikram, Evelien I. T. de Schepper, M. Kamran Ikram, Silvan Licher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Neurology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03975-8
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author Marije J. Splinter
Emily J. Henderson
Yoav Ben-Shlomo
Sirwan K. L. Darweesh
Pawel Sowa
Frank J. Wolters
Premysl Velek
Hannie J. E. M. Meijerink
Paulus Bakx
M. Arfan Ikram
Evelien I. T. de Schepper
M. Kamran Ikram
Silvan Licher
author_facet Marije J. Splinter
Emily J. Henderson
Yoav Ben-Shlomo
Sirwan K. L. Darweesh
Pawel Sowa
Frank J. Wolters
Premysl Velek
Hannie J. E. M. Meijerink
Paulus Bakx
M. Arfan Ikram
Evelien I. T. de Schepper
M. Kamran Ikram
Silvan Licher
author_sort Marije J. Splinter
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background A sustainable pandemic preparedness strategy is essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it is vital to provide clinicians and researchers in the neurodegenerative disease fields with resources and infrastructure to ensure continuity of their work during a (health) crisis. Methods We established an international collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives from the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We co-created a pandemic preparedness plan primarily informed by examples from those affected by or working in the field of Parkinson’s disease, with potential application to other neurodegenerative diseases or the general population. This plan builds upon insights and experiences from four population-based studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and November 2023, we organised two hybrid meetings in Bristol (United Kingdom) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands), and two online meetings. Results Research recommendations included three core factors in questionnaire design during health crises: 1) using existing, validated questions, 2) questionnaire adaptability and flexibility, and 3) testing within and outside the research group. Additionally, we addressed burden of participation, and we advocated for robust data sharing practices, underlining the importance of regulatory measures extending beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. We also shared clinical perspectives, including strategies to mitigate social isolation; challenges in virtual versus in-person consultations; and systemic changes to recognise and prevent moral injury in healthcare professionals. Conclusion In this pandemic preparedness plan, we provide research and clinical recommendations tailored to the field of Parkinson’s disease, with broader relevance to other neurodegenerative diseases and the general population. This establishes an essential framework for setting up new studies and safeguarding research and clinical practices when a new pandemic or other (health) crisis emerges. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-a0bc1bb1af98443894d3350e100b36432025-08-20T02:30:59ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772024-12-0124111110.1186/s12883-024-03975-8Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an exampleMarije J. Splinter0Emily J. Henderson1Yoav Ben-Shlomo2Sirwan K. L. Darweesh3Pawel Sowa4Frank J. Wolters5Premysl Velek6Hannie J. E. M. Meijerink7Paulus Bakx8M. Arfan Ikram9Evelien I. T. de Schepper10M. Kamran Ikram11Silvan Licher12Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolDepartment of Neurology, Radboud University Medical CentreDepartment of Population Medicine and Lifestyle Diseases Prevention, Medical University of BialystokDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreParkinson VerenigingParkinson VerenigingDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreDepartment of General Practice, Erasmus University Medical CentreDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical CentreAbstract Background A sustainable pandemic preparedness strategy is essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it is vital to provide clinicians and researchers in the neurodegenerative disease fields with resources and infrastructure to ensure continuity of their work during a (health) crisis. Methods We established an international collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives from the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We co-created a pandemic preparedness plan primarily informed by examples from those affected by or working in the field of Parkinson’s disease, with potential application to other neurodegenerative diseases or the general population. This plan builds upon insights and experiences from four population-based studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and November 2023, we organised two hybrid meetings in Bristol (United Kingdom) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands), and two online meetings. Results Research recommendations included three core factors in questionnaire design during health crises: 1) using existing, validated questions, 2) questionnaire adaptability and flexibility, and 3) testing within and outside the research group. Additionally, we addressed burden of participation, and we advocated for robust data sharing practices, underlining the importance of regulatory measures extending beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. We also shared clinical perspectives, including strategies to mitigate social isolation; challenges in virtual versus in-person consultations; and systemic changes to recognise and prevent moral injury in healthcare professionals. Conclusion In this pandemic preparedness plan, we provide research and clinical recommendations tailored to the field of Parkinson’s disease, with broader relevance to other neurodegenerative diseases and the general population. This establishes an essential framework for setting up new studies and safeguarding research and clinical practices when a new pandemic or other (health) crisis emerges. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03975-8COVID-19Pandemic preparednessNeurodegenerative diseasesCohort studyHealthcare utilisation
spellingShingle Marije J. Splinter
Emily J. Henderson
Yoav Ben-Shlomo
Sirwan K. L. Darweesh
Pawel Sowa
Frank J. Wolters
Premysl Velek
Hannie J. E. M. Meijerink
Paulus Bakx
M. Arfan Ikram
Evelien I. T. de Schepper
M. Kamran Ikram
Silvan Licher
Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
BMC Neurology
COVID-19
Pandemic preparedness
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cohort study
Healthcare utilisation
title Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
title_full Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
title_fullStr Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
title_full_unstemmed Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
title_short Lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields: an advice report based on Parkinson’s disease as an example
title_sort lessons learned for pandemic preparedness in the neurodegenerative research and clinical fields an advice report based on parkinson s disease as an example
topic COVID-19
Pandemic preparedness
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cohort study
Healthcare utilisation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03975-8
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