A successful second MasterClass in Lewy body dementia
NewsOn 16th and 17th November, our second Lewy body MasterClass took place in Sheffield with over 40 doctors, consultants, specialist nurses and therapists in attendance, spanning medicine for the elderly, neurology and psychiatry.
Sponsored by Lewy body Society for its second year following the success of 2021's trial course and a waiting list of well over a hundred healthcare professionals, the MasterClass comprised in-depth lectures, case based discussions and 8 minute 'lightning talks' across a whole range of topics and was as well received as the first, with delegates rating the likelihood of the course changing their personal practice an average 4.6 out of 5, and the quality of the education a 4.7 out of 5.
'[The course] has increased my knowledge of current research tremendously and [it's] useful to know about current trials. [It has] highlighted some non-pharmacological studies [that] I'm going to read up on.'
From prodrome and diagnosis to management and effective care across the trajectory of the disease course, expert speakers shared in-depth knowledge coupled with practically applicable guidance, and equipped delegates with practical tools like the DIAMOND Lewy toolkit.
Feedback across all the sessions was positive, with 'interesting' and 'excellent' used by several delegates for each, and a number of comments highlighting practical take-aways from the course.
Of the diagnostic challenges: 'I will be hyperaware of this now, thank you!'
Of treatment and management of LBD: 'A fantastic conversation! It was worth attending just for this session!'
Of assessment tools: 'Lots of good practical tips', 'Brilliant, lots to consider in specialist teams where falls are regular.'
Great to see this. Last week my #podcast guests were @chris40781 who lives with #LewyBody #dementia & Admiral Nurse @raheli01 who specialises in Lewy Body. So informative to hear them talk about what life with LBD is really like. https://t.co/EqPJCJX2yy https://t.co/hMxkAAkrj2
— Pippa Kelly (@piponthecommons) November 17, 2022
A panel discussion was given by an admiral nurse and a couple with lived experience of Lewy body dementia. This session was rated the highest of all sessions, receiving 100% for its delivery, whilst feedback from delegates reinforced the incredible value and insight that hearing from people's lived experience provides.
'Amazing to hear about Des and Valli's journey. I can't thank you enough for sharing your experience. I can read, but this does not give me the insight that your personal encounters can give.'
'This was the best session of the whole workshop. Understanding patient and carer perspective is so important for my clinic.'
Their session gave clarity and understanding of what matters most to someone across their care pathway, whilst a voluntary sector-led session following it highlighted services and support available for professionals to link with and refer into outside core NHS care.
'Really important to hear from [the voluntary sector] - raising awareness, supporting clients and carers - holistic care is not purely medical!'
One of the delegates had her place provided by our sponsor, Lewy body Society, who ran a competition earlier in the year to provide education in LBD to someone who might not otherwise be able to access it. Angela Penny, an advanced speech and language therapist for progressive neurology, won the competition and was thoroughly enthusiastic on Twitter and in person!
❤️ Thanks to Upaasna for feeding back our case based discussion - really useful considering diagnostic challenges in different presentations@lbsorg @Airedaleahps @TheNeuroAcademy #LewyBodyMC pic.twitter.com/c4zLbBWUH0
— Angela (@AngelaPenny11) November 17, 2022
'We are pleased to support Neurology Academy and raise awareness of Lewy body dementia. There are currently around 130,000 people living with the disease in the UK, yet it is often described as the most common disease you’ve never heard of. Our mission is to fund research into the disease and to raise awareness and understanding of it among medical professionals and the public - the Lewy body MasterClass is one way of doing just that.'
Jacqui Cannon, CEO of the Lewy body Society
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Lewy Body Academy
Focussing on dementia with Lewy bodies (previously known as Lewy body disease), and Parkinson's disease dementia, this specialist training ensures people with these dementias do not fall through the gaps in care.