The National Parkinson Foundation and Johns Hopkins University Address Disparities in Care Through Telemedicine

MIAMI, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved a research award to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and Johns Hopkins University to deliver telemedicine care to people with Parkinson's disease in their homes.

E. Ray Dorsey, MD, Director, Johns Hopkins Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is the lead investigator on the project, working with collaborators from across NPF's Center of Excellence network including Peter Schmidt, PhD, NPF's Vice President of Programs. The project will focus on delivering the benefits of neurologist care using telemedicine to people in rural, remote, and underserved areas. The project is based on an innovative care model combining technology, training, and team-based care to transform Parkinson's management.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to establish this model of care, which Dr. Ray Dorsey, Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Kevin Biglan, University of Rochester, have developed in smaller projects in other settings," said Peter Schmidt, PhD, NPF's Vice President of Programs, and a co-investigator on the study.  "We are expanding the vision in this project, which is designed to link remote neurologists with local providers who can address the needs for physical, occupational and speech therapy in a patients' own community.  For the first time, we will build a 'virtual center of excellence' where the best and most appropriate providers, wherever they are, can link together and serve those in need."

"NPF believes that every patient deserves the best care," said Joyce Oberdorf, President and Chief Executive Officer of NPF.  "This project is to advance the realization of that goal: with telemedicine we can bring expert care to every patient.  Patients in rural or remote areas often fall through the cracks.  We hope to change that."

The project is part of a portfolio of patient-centered research that addresses PCORI's national research priorities and will provide patients with information that will help them make better informed decisions about their care.

"This project reflects PCORI's commitment to support patient-centered comparative effectiveness research, a new approach to health research that emphasizes the inclusion of patients and caregivers at all stages of the study process," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. "The research will provide patients and those who care for them better information about the healthcare decisions they face."

The National Parkinson Foundation and Johns Hopkins University project is one of 51 projects totaling more than $88.6 million approved for funding by PCORI's Board of Governors on May 6. All were selected through a highly competitive review process in which scientists, patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders helped to evaluate more than 400 applications for funding. Proposals were evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, how well they engage patients and other stakeholders, their methodological rigor, and how well they fit within PCORI's national research priorities.

The awards are part of PCORI's second cycle of primary research funding. This new round of funding follows PCORI's initial approval of $40.7 million in support for 25 projects under the institute's national research priorities. All awards in this most recent round of funding were approved pending completion of a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and issuance of a formal award contract.

For more information about PCORI's Funding Announcements, visit www.pcori.org/funding-opportunities.

For more information about telemedicine and this project, please call NPF's Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About PCORI
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.

About the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF)
Founded in 1957, the National Parkinson Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson's disease through research, education and outreach. NPF has funded more than $172 million in care, research and support services. The NPF Centers of Excellence network delivers care to more than 50,000 Parkinson's patients. For more information about NPF, visit www.parkinson.org, or call the NPF Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

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SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation