Survey: do people with Parkinson’s disease receive enough information about DBS?

Parkinson’s Europe has launched a new survey sponsored by medical technology company Medtronic to gain insights from people living with the condition

How much do people with Parkinson’s know about deep brain stimulation (DBS)? Are there any potential barriers to accessing the treatment? These are some of the questions that Parkinson’s Europe seeks to investigate in a new survey.

DBS surgery – an operation which involves inserting electrodes into the brain to change electrical signals associated with certain conditions – is currently a treatment option for those living with Parkinson’s.

The pan-European survey, developed in partnership with medical technology company Medtronic, aims to uncover whether people in the community have enough information about and access to DBS. It also hopes to gather perspectives from those who have received the treatment.

Responses from the survey will help inform Parkinson’s Europe about the gaps that exist in awareness around DBS, with the aim of highlighting where more information and assistance are needed.

The organisation hopes this will support a future campaign to improve access to DBS surgery and other device-aided therapies.

How to take part

The short, 10-minute survey is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish and is open until 31 December 2022.

Anyone with Parkinson’s, as well as family members, are invited to take part – regardless of whether or not they have had DBS surgery.

Visit the Parkinson’s Europe website to learn more and to participate in the survey.

Read more:

Podcast: Deciding to have DBS surgery

Podcast: Everyday life after DBS surgery