An on-line training module for GP's and healthcare professionals to increase awareness of Parkinson's disease, has attracted over 3,000 participants from as far away as New Zealand.

Parkinsons' Disease Society's (PDS) 2007 membership survey showed that 50% of people with Parkinson's believed there was a lack of understanding from GP's and professionals about how to spot and treat the condition.

As a result the PDS commissioned BMJ Learning to produce an on-line module to help users increase their knowledge and skills in how to care for patients, and how to increase knowledge and skills to assess and refer people with suspected Parkinson's Disease.

Daiga Heisters, PDS National Education Adviser, comments:

"We were delighted with the response to the training. The target of 400 participants to complete the module in the first 6 months was exceeded with over 3,000 completing in the first 5 months. This reflects the interest health care professionals have in increasing their knowledge on the management of Parkinson's and the effectiveness of BMJ Learning's marketing campaign".

Alveena Igbal, from Derby City PCT who took the course, said:

"As our elderly population increases so does the challenge to deal with chronic disabling conditions like Parkinsonism. In this context I have found the BMJ Learning module very useful."

Dr Amal Paul from Pudsey, Leeds, adds:

'' As a G.P. I have to look after a few patients with Parkinson's disease, and the need for further care management was more imperative for me when someone close to me was diagnosed. The module was very interesting, designed for adult learning, interactive, and educational. My knowledge and skills have definitely improved and the module was a big impetus for further study''.

This module complements the work of the PDS Education Training Officers currently working with GPs and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK at a local level.

Due to the success of the pilot, a second learning module is being launched, focusing on non- motor symptoms of Parkinson's such as depression and sleep disorders.