Hospital da Luz Coimbra held, on January 23, the first session of the project “Conversas em Movimento” (Talks in Movement), conducted by neurologists Ana Morgadinho Carvalho and Diogo Carneiro , coordinators of the Movement Disorders consultation . The initiative, planned on a quarterly basis, is destined to Parkinson patients whether they are being treated at this hospital or not, and respective families, friends and caretakers, viewing to promote the sharing of information and experiences. The goal is to “help understanding the disease and improve treatment and the quality of life of people with Parkinson disease and respective families that resort to us”, as stated by Ana Morgadinho. “All of this in a relaxed atmosphere, where everybody feels at ease to listen, speak, share and question”, she adds. This first session had for topic “Accepting the diagnosis” and has counted with the presence of 50 persons. “We thought this was a good topic to start with the project, since besides underdeveloped in consultations, the acceptance of the diagnosis is a difficult, long and painful process, not only for patients, but also for their families and all those around them”, explains Ana Morgadinho. Patients and accompanying persons had also the opportunity to listen to psychologist Ana Mónica Pinto , who collaborates with the team of Movement Disorders consultation. Parkinson is presently the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease, right after Alzheimer . “Assistance should not be limited to consultations, medication, day hospital care and other classical approaches”, argues Ana Morgadinho Carvalho. This project arose precisely from the need to “create a time and space of talk, in a completely informal context, where people feel at ease to share experiences, ask questions, clarify doubts on the disease and treatments, and how to go on living with it”, further explains Ana Morgadinho. Thus, this will be “a time different” from the consultation, not only for patients, but also for the clinical team following them. “We want to extend this project also to relatives and friends who are interested and wish to participate in this adventure”, she concludes. The sessions of the project “Conversas em Movimento” are free, but with previous mandatory registration (via e-mail marketing.coimbra@hospitaldaluz.pt ). The calendar of sessions will be announced on Hospital da Luz Coimbra social media channels and regional media. In the photo below, Diogo Carneiro, Ana Morgadinho Carvalho and Ana Mónica Pinto.
