WILMINGTON, DE — Phreesia and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will launch a six-month patient education campaign in November aimed at reaching more than 100,000 patients and caregivers, expanding awareness of Parkinson’s disease and opportunities to participate in clinical research.
The collaboration will use Phreesia’s digital patient engagement platform to deliver educational materials before medical appointments, giving patients and caregivers information intended to support discussions with healthcare providers.
The initiative also seeks to increase awareness of research participation among people living with Parkinson’s disease and individuals who may be experiencing early symptoms associated with the condition.
Phreesia, which supports approximately one in six patient visits in the United States, will distribute educational resources developed by the foundation through its existing healthcare technology network.
The campaign will target people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers and individuals diagnosed with or experiencing symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder, a condition associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Adults aged 40 and older will also receive neurological health information as part of an effort to determine whether educational outreach during medical appointments can improve awareness among people who may be earlier in the disease process.
The foundation and Phreesia intend to use the point-of-care setting to connect patients with information about symptoms, available support and opportunities to participate in research.
“Expanding access to trusted educational information, including how to play a role in research, is a critical part of the puzzle,” said Maggie Kuhl, vice president of patient engagement at The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The campaign reflects an effort to use routine healthcare interactions to reach potential research participants, including people who may not otherwise seek information about Parkinson’s studies.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can produce a range of motor and nonmotor symptoms. Research into earlier identification and treatment remains a central focus of the foundation’s work.
REM sleep behavior disorder is particularly relevant to that research because it can precede the development of Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions.
By including individuals with the sleep disorder, the collaboration extends educational outreach beyond patients who already have a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
David Linetsky, president of Phreesia Network Solutions, said the initiative is intended to help patients recognize symptoms earlier and connect with appropriate care.
The campaign will also provide access to ongoing educational information and support from the foundation, allowing patients and caregivers to continue learning beyond their medical appointments.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, supporting efforts to develop improved treatments and ultimately a cure.
The six-month initiative is scheduled to begin in November, with outreach focused on education, research awareness and encouraging informed conversations between patients and healthcare providers.
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