Acceptability of Palliative Care in Parkinson Disease Care

Pilot to Assess the Acceptance of Palliative Care Referral Among Those With Parkinson Disease

This study will assess the feasibility of using specific criteria to standardize the referral of individuals with Parkinson disease to a group of medical providers known as palliative care specialists. Palliative care specialists provide supportive care to individuals living with serious illnesses. The specialty focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness.

Subjects with Parkinson disease:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of idiopathic PD confirmed as most likely diagnosis with participant's treating provider
• 18 years of age or older
• Participant or care partner able to provide informed consent
• Presence of one or more of the following:

Uncontrolled symptoms (over prior week):

• Depression
• Pain
• Fatigue

Critical events (over prior 6 months):

• ≥3 falls
• Unintended weight loss
• Wheelchair dependence (>50% of time)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of atypical or secondary parkinsonism
• Outpatient palliative care visit scheduled or within the prior 6 months of the screening visit

Subjects who are care partners:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Care partner of enrolled participant in the study
• 18 years of age or older
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• No care partner specific exclusion criteria