PhD candidate Vincent Carroll is inviting rural and regional members of Parkinson's NSW support groups to participate in the new study.

It will explore models of Parkinson's support group leadership to identify what makes and creates an effective Parkinson's support group from the perspective of people with the disease, their caregivers, and support group leaders.

Orange support group coordinators Bernie and Petah Duffy lead their group in a casual format and Mr Duffy said the group was invited to take part in the study but has not yet confirmed its involvement.

"Our group was approached a couple of weeks ago but we only met last Wednesday and I'm really hopeful we will participate," Mr Duffy said.

He said it was the first time the group had been able to meet in five months due to COVID-19 restrictions and not all members had access to technology to enable them to meet online.

Mr Duffy said there were 33 people with Parkinson's Disease on the group's mailing list and about 20 carers and people with Parkinson's Disease attend the meetings.

"We do get some people come from outlying places like Cowra and Forbes and Parkes," Mr Duffy said.

He said the groups gave people a place to go to find and share educational and health information and he and Mrs Duffy have become more knowledgeable about Parkinson's Disease through their involvement with the support group.

"You meet with like people who understand exactly what you are living through and they give information as well," Mr Duffy said.

"For a lot of people the only outing they have is coming to a support meeting."

He said Mrs Duffy started attending the support group within six months of her diagnosis in 2004 and together they have been working as the group's facilitators or coordinators for the past 10 years.

"It's a very informal group," he said.

However, he said although the Orange group meets for a chat over a cup of coffee or tea, other groups are more structured with a president, secretary and a set agenda, and it is those different models that Mr Carroll is exploring.

Mr Carroll is undertaking the study through CSU in Coffs Harbour and he is also a Parkinson's Clinical Nurse Consultant at the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Parkinson's NSW.

He said support groups play an important role in enhancing the coping skills and abilities of people living with the disease and their caregivers.

He hopes his study will help to inform the support groups and peak bodies, like Parkinson's NSW, so they can build even stronger leadership and capacity.