Co-design, implementation and evaluation of an audio podcast about Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurologic disorders, leading to progressive disability that can be slowed but not stopped by treatment (Cotterell, 2018.) It is characterized by tremors, slow movements, stiffness in arms and legs, and balance impairment. The number of people diagnosed with PD in the UK is about 145,000, and more than 1 million people in the UK are affected as a friend, colleague or family member of someone living with the condition (Parkinson’s UK, 2021). Like other chronic and progressive disabling diseases, PD patients experience stigma arising from symptoms that are impossible to hide, and they experience relational and communication problems (Maffoni et al. 2017).Recent evidence has highlighted that Parkinson’s education for nursing students is often limited. Therefore, this partnership aimed to improve nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes to PD through co-design and delivery of an audio podcast.