Acceptability of Palliative Care in Parkinson Disease Care

• Change in mean symptom burden[ Time Frame: Baseline to 3 months ]
  Symptom burden will be measured using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale-Revised for Parkinson Disease (ESAS-R: PD), which measures the severity of 14 symptoms on a 1-10 scale. Scores range from 0-140 with higher scores indicating higher symptom burden.
• Change in mean quality of life as assessed by the Quality of Life-Alzheimer Disease questionnaire (QoL-AD)[ Time Frame: Baseline to 3 months ]
  Quality of life will be measured using the Quality of Life-Alzheimer Disease questionnaire, which is a 13-item measure that assesses overall quality of life with a focus on physical, social, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Scores range from 13-52 with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
• Change in mean caregiver burden[ Time Frame: Baseline to 3 months ]
  Caregiver burden will be measured using the Zarit Burden interview, which is a 22-item questionnaire that assesses caregiver fear, anger, guilt, perspective, hope, and overall quality of life. Scores range from 0-88 with a score of 0-21 associated with little or no burden, 21-40 mild to moderate burden, 41-60 moderate to severe burden, and 61-88 severe burden.
• Change in mean caregiver self-efficacy[ Time Frame: Baseline to 3 months ]
  Caregiver self-efficacy will be measured using the Revised Scale for Caregiver Self-efficacy, which is a 15-item questionnaire with 3 sub-sections (self-efficacy for obtaining respite, self-efficacy for responding to disruptive patient behaviors, and self-efficacy for controlling upsetting thoughts about caregiving). Respondents rate their certainty of being able to complete each task from 0% (cannot perform task at all) to 100% (certain that task can be performed). Scores on each of the sub-sections range from 0-500 with a higher score indicating greater self-efficacy.
• Barriers to palliative care referral[ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  Barriers to palliative care referral will be measured using a novel qualitative survey that assesses perceived barriers to referral and drivers of desire for referral to palliative care among those with Parkinson disease. The measure includes a qualitative survey of 9 potential barriers to consultation and 5 potential reasons to undergo consultation. Respondents can select as many barriers or reasons as applicable to their perception of referral and can provide free text responses. Overall frequency of selection of each identified barrier among participants will be assessed both at baseline and at 3 months following palliative care referral. Barriers and reasons for referral with higher frequency will be considered to be more important in hindering or driving desire for referral, respectively.
• Barriers to palliative care referral[ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  Barriers to palliative care referral will be measured using a novel qualitative survey that assesses perceived barriers to referral and drivers of desire for referral to palliative care among those with Parkinson disease. The measure includes a qualitative survey of 9 potential barriers to consultation and 5 potential reasons to undergo consultation. Respondents can select as many barriers or reasons as applicable to their perception of referral and can provide free text responses. Overall frequency of selection of each identified barrier among participants will be assessed both at baseline and at 3 months following palliative care referral. Barriers and reasons for referral with higher frequency will be considered to be more important in hindering or driving desire for referral, respectively.

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.

• Behavioral: Palliative Care referral
  Individuals with Parkinson disease identified as having specific uncontrolled symptoms or critical events will undergo standardized referral to palliative care, who will provide supportive care. During the palliative care referral, participants and their care partners may discuss symptoms, disease burden (physical, emotion, financial, and psychological), quality of life, goals of care, and advance directive completion. Palliative care specialists may recommend interventions to manage bothersome symptoms or to improve disease burden for both participants and care partners.

• Experimental: Palliative Care referral
  Participants with specific uncontrolled symptoms or critical events in course of their Parkinson disease will be referred to a palliative care specialist for supportive care.