C2E2 research guides policy change in BC
The B.C. government is improving access to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for people with Parkinson’s disease. DBS is a treatment option for those with Parkinson’s whose symptoms can no longer be controlled with medication.
The Ministry of Health has established a plan to address wait times for DBS. The province is increasing operating-room time for the treatments and also recruiting an additional qualified neurosurgeon with sufficient experience in primary insertions.
DBS uses electrical impulses to stimulate a target area in the brain. The stimulation affects movement by altering the activity in that area of the brain.
The procedure does not destroy any brain tissue and stimulation can be changed or stopped at any time. Surgery is required to implant the equipment that produces the electrical stimulation.
C2E2 Health Technology Assessment team contributed to this research.
Read more on the VCH and CBC links.
