Unmet needs of people with Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study

Aims To identify the type and extent of unmet needs in people with Parkinson's disease and to examine the impact of health locus of control and family support on these needs. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods This study was conducted from October 2015 - February 2016 in Korea. Data were collected through questionnaires focusing on unmet needs, health locus of control, family support and clinical features. Results Therapeutic needs represented the highest percentage of unmet needs in people with Parkinson's disease (85.05%), followed by social/spiritual/emotional needs (82.72%). Physical needs were the lowest reported score (75.01%). Unmet needs were more frequent in those with more severe non-motor symptoms. Also, higher family support, internal locus of control and doctor locus of control were correlated with more unmet needs. Conclusion Understanding factors that determine the type and degree of unmet needs in people with PD is important to provide appropriate nursing care. The findings of this study can be used for providing nursing interventions reflecting unmet needs and reducing their unmet needs to improve the overall well-being of people with PD. Impact This study addressed unmet needs unmet needs specific to Parkinson's disease with respect to their nursing needs. Therapeutic needs were the highest unmet needs in people with PD, followed by social/spiritual/emotional needs, need for certainty and physical needs. The findings may be useful for nurses to identify the unmet needs of people with PD which need to be addressed. By reflecting on unmet needs, nurses can give personally tailored nursing care.