"Can I trust you with my medicines?" A grounded theory study of patients with Parkinson's disease perceptions of medicines management

Abstract

Introduction: People with Parkinson's disease require individualised medication regimens to achieve symptomatic control whilst managing complications of the treatments and the underlying disease. Patients should continue to receive their individualised regimen when they are admitted to hospital but studies have highlighted that this may not happen. There is a paucity of research about patients' perceptions of the management of anti-parkinsonian medicines during a hospital admission and the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of Parkinson's disease patients admitted to Leeds Teaching Hospitals about the management of their anti-parkinsonian medications.Method: Grounded theory methodology was used to allow detailed exploration of patients' perceptions and to generate theory about this under-researched area. Face to face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 Parkinson's disease patients during their hospital admission, fully transcribed and analysed using the constant comparative approach. Results: Categories contributing to the core category of 'patient anxiety' were identified as 'maintaining usual medication routine', 'access to anti-parkinsonian medications', 'accuracy and consistency', 'trust in healthcare professionals' and 'staff knowledge about Parkinson's disease'. Strategies used to manage the anxiety were related to the categories 'utilising expertise' in Parkinson's disease and 'patient involvement' in their care. Discussion: The theory suggests that some patients have negative perceptions about the management of their medicines during a hospital admission. Areas for practice development are presented along with areas for future research. Conclusion: This study provides new insight into the perceptions of patients with Parkinson's disease about the management of their medicines during a hospital admission.