Person-Centered Navigator Program for People with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Support Programs

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic condition requiring lifelong, comprehensive care.
• Existing patient navigation programs are scarce for PD and predominantly focus on oncology in Western contexts.
• There is a need for culturally adapted, person-centered navigation programs for PD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a person-centered navigator program tailored for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
• To evaluate the preliminary outcomes and feasibility of this navigator program within the Korean healthcare setting.
• To address the gap in PD-specific patient navigation resources.

Main Methods:

• The program was developed using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model and a professional navigation framework.
• A cohort of 28 participants engaged in an 8-week navigator program.
• Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The program demonstrated a high retention rate of 82% among participants.
• Significant improvements in social function were observed 12 weeks after the baseline assessment.
• Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, indicating good program acceptance.

Conclusions:

• A systematic approach successfully developed a PD-specific navigator program adapted to the Korean context.
• The program shows preliminary feasibility and positive outcomes, particularly in enhancing social function.
• Future iterations should emphasize personal and participatory elements for evolving healthcare interventions in PD management.