gms | German Medical Science

Background and state of research: Multidisciplinary Parkinson’s disease (PD) care approaches are discussed in the international literature, supported by digital technology, as the future of PD care [1]. It is also emphasized that the inclusion of people with Parkinson’s (PwPDs) and caregivers’ perspectives in the design of such care approaches is essential. However, in Germany, there is no data on how health care providers (HCPs), PwPDs and caregivers envision the future of healthcare and what their requirements for sustainable health care are.

Research question and objectives, hypothesis: This study aims to identify how healthcare should be organized to support both social and medical care from the perspectives of HCPs, PwPDs and caregivers.

Method: This research is based on a methodological pluralistic approach, combining narrative interviews and participatory workshops. One in-person workshop was conducted with six HCPs and ten remote workshops were completed with one PwPD and one caregiver each (n=26 in total). Additionally, 10 semi-structured interviews with PwPDs and their caregivers were completed, focusing on ideas and preferences of future PD care. Audio files from workshops and interviews were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA following Corbin and Straus [2] and the produced material from the workshop was summarized and quantitatively evaluated in Excel.

Results: HCPs, PwPDs and their caregivers hold varying visions for the future of PD healthcare delivery in Germany. HCPs anticipate a shift towards personalized and patient-centered care, with increased use of technology and digital health solutions. They also hope for improvements in interdisciplinary cooperation. PwPDs and their caregivers envision a future healthcare system that is more inclusive and supportive of patients with chronic conditions. They hope for better access to specialized care and services as well as improved communication and collaboration between healthcare providers. They seek more comprehensive and holistic approaches to care.

Discussion: Overall, the results indicate a strong need for a more patient-centered and integrated approach to healthcare in Germany. It is envisioned that future healthcare will need to be more responsive to the needs of PwPDs and their caregivers through the close collaboration of all stakeholders and the use of new technologies and interventions, thus promoting better health outcomes and quality of life.

Implication for care: The exploration of the perspective of HCPs, PwPDs and their caregivers can provide vantage points for the future requirements of multidisciplinary care for PwPDs. Multidisciplinary care delivery efforts must target patient-centered approaches that integrate personalized interventions and make appropriate use of new technologies. This will enable sustainable and evidence-based approaches to care that contribute to successful health policy.

Funding: Individual funding; (BMG, DRV, BMBF, DFG, etc); 01789-000/HESOCARE-329-073