Parkinson's disease patients' needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a red zone: A framework analysis of open-ended survey questions
Francesco Cavallieri and Francesca Sireci contributed equally to the manuscript.
Abstract
Background and purpose
During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lockdown was imposed in Italy. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions, feelings and unmet needs of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who experienced the 2-month lockdown in a “red zone” in the northern part of Italy during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Methods
The study had a descriptive design that used a cross-sectional online survey which included open-ended questions to elicit responses on the participant's feelings concerning their risk of contracting coronavirus, how their physical activity had changed, and their personal needs, dictated by their condition, which were not met in this pandemic period as compared to previous periods. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive frequencies, while the open-ended questions were analysed using thematic framework analysis.
Results
The study included 103 participants (63 men/40 women [61.17 vs. 38.83%]). Framework analysis led to the identification of four main themes: (i) fearing the risk of contracting coronavirus; (ii) reduction of physical activity; (iii) perception of the risk of not being able to access outpatient clinics or support services; and (iv) negative experiences of the important reduction in socialization. The perceptions of unmet needs appeared to be greater than the actual experience, particularly for the reduction in physical activity and the interruption of contacts with the neurologist and other specialists.
Conclusions
This study highlights how perceptions and actual experience shape the meaning of living with PD during the pandemic. Worth noting is the divergence between perceptions and real impact in some aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
F. Cavallieri received personal fees from Zambon outside the submitted work. F. Sireci, V. Fioravanti, G. Toschi, V. Rispoli, F. Antonelli, M. Costantini, L. Ghirotto and F. Valzania report no disclosures.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
