Improving Conversations about Parkinson's Dementia.

Background: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) have an increased risk of dementia, yet patients and clinicians frequently avoid talking about it due to associated stigma, and the perception that "nothing can be done about it". However, open conversations about PD dementia may allow people with the condition to access treatment and support, and may increase participation in research aimed at understanding PD dementia.

Objectives: To co-produce information resources for patients and healthcare professionals to improve conversations about PD dementia.

The experiences of carers looking after people with Parkinson's disease who exhibit impulsive and compulsive behaviours: An exploratory qualitative study.

Aim: To understand the experiences of carers who were confronted by the development of impulsive and compulsive behaviours.

Background: Impulsive and compulsive behaviours (ICBs) are a serious complication in Parkinson's disease (PD) strongly associated with dopamine replacement therapy used to treat patients. These behaviours comprise abnormal activities such as pathological gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping and hypersexuality.

A Retrospective Evaluation of the Frequency of Impulsive Compulsive Behaviors in Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated with Continuous Waking Day Apomorphine Pumps.

Background: Impulsive compulsive behaviors (ICBs) can have a deleterious impact on the lives of patients with PD with orally active dopamine agonist treatment recognized as the greatest risk factor. However, the relationship between subcutaneous administration of the dopamine agonist, apomorphine, and impulsive compulsive behaviors is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 28 advanced PD patients treated with subcutaneous waking day apomorphine ambulatory minipumps at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (London, UK).

Improving the education and experience of foundation doctors in general surgery.

Reduced working hours and fragmentation of the surgical firm has resulted in a gradual change in FY1 duties. Locally, FY1 doctors were no longer routinely seeing surgical emergency admissions, while FY1s informally reported reduced confidence in dealing with surgical emergencies. The goal of this project was to assess the current training of FY1 doctors within the unit, and to attempt to improve this by increasing exposure to surgical emergencies.