Choosing deep brain stimulation therapy is a complex decision that raises many questions – Support LinkSM, a new Medtronic initiative supported by the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (Parkinson’s Europe), has answers for you

Support LinkSM is a new online hub that gives you tools and resources to make an informed decision about deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment option. It consists of six tools aimed at helping anyone considering Parkinson’s DBS therapy.

Support LinkSM provides comprehensive, professional information on DBS therapy. It can help you to better understand the benefits and risks of the therapy, and when to consider it.

Each Support LinkSM tool provides up-to-date information on DBS therapy. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Webinar

In this animated introduction to the basics of DBS, ‘Emily ‘shares her experience of the procedure and how she felt about it. Shortly you will also have the opportunity to attend live webinars where experts explain DBS therapy in details.

2. Physician finder 

If you aren’t getting the symptom relief you need from medication, the online physician directory helps you find a movement disorder neurologist or an expert DBS centre near you.

3. DBS referral adviser

Are you considering DBS therapy but don’t know if you are a good candidate? The DBS referral adviser tool is an online questionnaire that will make it easy to decide if DBS is a therapy you may want to discuss with your doctor. It will also help you to get ready for your next doctor’s appointment.

Your answers to the simple questionnaire – which you can complete at home – generate a report that you can then print and take to your next appointment. The report will help your doctor to understand how Parkinson’s affects you and how your current treatment plan is working. This tool has been developed and validated by experts such as neurologists, people with Parkinson’s and their families, and nurses.

4. Ambassador programme

Are you unsure how DBS therapy will affect you? With the ambassador programme, you can talk to someone who has experienced DBS therapy before. Ambassadors are volunteers – they are not medical experts or Medtronic employees. They are people who are happy to talk with you on the phone about their DBS experiences. You can also ask questions such as, “What was the procedure like?” and “How has it impacted on your daily life?” etc. 

5. Support meetings

This is a list of DBS-related events taking place in your country that may support you in your Parkinson’s journey.

6. Parkinson’s Europe’S PD info

Parkinson’s Europe owns the largest online library dedicated to Parkinson’s disease in Europe, packed with wide-ranging information on every aspect of the condition that will supplement your decision on DBS and any other Parkinson’s-related queries.

Video: introduction to Support LinkSM


How to access Support LinkSM

Visit either the Parkinson’s Europe website or the Medtronic UK website to access all these tools and resources*. Local Parkinson’s associations and/or patient groups are encouraged to provide Support LinkSM to their members. The tools can be translated and added to your own website. Your regional Medtronic team is there to support you with IT implementation, translation as well as recruiting Ambassadors.

For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

* Support LinkSM is currently available in the UK, but will soon be coming to other European countries.

 

Parkinson’s Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson’s Europe’s views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson’s Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.