International Parkinson's Convention, Barcelona 2023: Gathering Global Experts on Parkinson's Disease
The World Parkinson Congresses, held every three years in various countries, serve as a global forum for scientist, clinical researchers, healthcare professionals, Parkinson's disease patients, and support groups to discuss, learn, and engage in debate about the latest scientific discoveries and comprehensive care practices related to Parkinson's disease.
In contrast to other scientific congresses, the World Parkinson Congress (WPC) brings together all members of the Parkinson's community under one roof. As an inclusive event, the WPC aims to break down professional silos by encouraging cross-pollination between the scientific, clinical, rehabilitation, and advocacy communities, which can lead to a more rapid discovery of a cure and the development of best treatment practices for this debilitating disease.
Cross-pollination occurs in various ways, such as during scientific lectures, poster talks, and small roundtable discussions. The overarching goal is to evolve thinking about Parkinson's treatment and move forward together as a community in order to speed up research and come closer to new treatments and ultimately a cure.
To read impactful stories about the benefits of this cross-pollination format, visit the Working Parkinson Connections blog page, authored by Dr. Jon Stamford, a UK-based neuroscientist living with Parkinson's disease.
The 6th World Parkinson Congress (WPC 2023) will take place in Barcelona, Spain from July 4 - 7, 2023, welcoming everyone in the Parkinson's community.
Australian attendees of WPC 2023 are invited to a social gathering host by Parkinson's NSW, Fight Parkinson's, and Shake it Up Australia. More details can be found on their booking page.
In terms of benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration, sharing best practices, enhanced patient engagement, accelerated breakthroughs, and fostering a global community, the cross-pollination format at the World Parkinson Congresses has proven to be an effective platform for driving Parkinson's research and treatment forward.
- The World Parkinson Congresses, held triennially, also delve into medical-conditions like Alzheimer's disease and autoimmune disorders, broadening the scope of discussion on neurological disorders.
- Chronic-diseases such as COPD, type-2-diabetes, and chronic-kidney-disease, though distinct, share some treatment modalities and are part of the extensive spectrum of conditions discussed at these congresses.
- The Carolina Asthma and Respiratory Disease Center, for instance, has provided valuable insights on respiratory-conditions during previous WPCs, contributing to the shared knowledge base on health-and-wellness.
- Digestive-health, a critical aspect of overall wellbeing, is also addressed at these congresses, with experts shedding light on conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Eye-health, another significant area of concern, is discussed, with specialists sharing research on conditions like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
- Hearing, a vital sense often overlooked in health discourse, is also highlighted, as professionals delve into issues like hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Beyond neurological and physical health, mental-health is addressed, with experts discussing conditions like depression and anxiety, which can co-exist with Parkinson's disease.
- Nutrition plays a pivotal role in managing many chronic diseases, including cancer and multiple-sclerosis, and is a topic covered at these congresses.
- Oncologists and neurologists collaborate to discuss breast-cancer, a prevalent threat to women's health, and its treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and interdisciplinary care.
- Dermatologists also contribute to the discourse, sharing insights on skin-conditions like psoriasis and their impact on patients' quality of life.
- Rheumatologists participate in the discussions, offering perspective on rheumatoid-arthritis, a disabling autoimmune disorder that affects millions worldwide.
- The World Parkinson Congresses are not just about Parkinson's disease; they have become a hub for discussions on various health matters, aiming to foster a global community dedicated to health-and-wellness.
