NURSES WHO TREAT PARKINSON PATIENTS: WHAT DO THEY KNOW AND WHAT DO THEY WANT TO KNOW?

To deal with Parkinson Disease, the education and the participation of the patient and his/her patient in the care of this disease are fundamental aspects. To know a patient's perceptions about his/her need for information, the patient's anxieties and the necessity to communicate with the medical team help to individualize the education provided for a patient. Method: a general qualitative descriptive study developed by means of semi-structured interviews. Sample: 19 outpatients previously diagnosed with Parkinson's. The random method used was based on setting up interviews by the medical team by means of a computer. Results: The majority of the patients felt their knowledge level was sufficient, although some search for more information and others showed a fear to learn more. The main source of information comes from their neurologists. The patients think that the information related to the symptoms and the drugs (for Parkinson's) is adequate, but this information is lacking regarding emotional necessities and other personal aspects. The patients think that communication is fundamental when dealing with a chronic disease, and that there is a need for individualized, very human, relationships where besides technical competence, patients hope for comprehension, security, confidence and the opportunity for patients to express themselves.