Core elements to understand and improve coping with Parkinson's disease in patients and family carers: a focus group study

Abstract

Aims: 1) To explore the meaning that coping with Parkinson's disease has for patients and family carers; 2) To suggest the components of an intervention focused on enhancing their coping with the disease.

Background: Adapting to Parkinson's disease involves going through many difficult changes; however, it may improve quality of life in patients and family carers. One of the key aspects for facilitating the psychosocial adjustment to Parkinson's disease is the strengthening of coping skills.

Design: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was carried out. Findings from the qualitative phase are presented.

Methods: Data were collected in May 2014 through three focus groups: one of people with Parkinson's disease (n = 9), one of family carers (n = 7) and one of healthcare professionals (n = 5). All focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis was independently carried out by two researchers.

Findings: The participants coincided in highlighting that coping with Parkinson's disease helped the patient and the family carer in their search for balance; and it implied a transformation in their lives. To aid the process of coping with Parkinson's disease, a multifaceted intervention is proposed.

Conclusion: Coping with Parkinson's disease is a complex process for both patients and family carers and it should therefore be considered a standard service in healthcare policies aimed at this group. The proposed intervention constitutes a nursing tool which has great potential to improve the quality of life in Parkinson's disease and in other long term conditions.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Maria Portillo Vega: orcid.org/0000-0003-1583-6612

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