Unmet Needs of Patients With Parkinson's Disease and Their Caregivers During the Discharge Transition: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

The aim of this study was to explore the care needs of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their caregivers during the hospital-to-home transition, framed by transition theory, to provide an empirical basis for developing a comprehensive transitional care program.

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between July and August 2025. We performed semistructured interviews with 12 patient-caregiver dyads selected via purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Transition theory of Meleis served as a theoretical lens to guide the refinement, organization, and interpretation of the themes.

Four core themes of unmet needs were identified: (1) the need for practical knowledge and skills for disease self-management; (2) continuity of care to bridge the hospital-community gap; (3) psychological support for both patients and caregivers to cope with role changes; and (4) access to social and financial resources. These themes collectively reveal a significant gap between existing discharge support and the actual needs of families.

The transition from hospital to home for patients with PD is a complex process that is further complicated by limited self-management capacity and fragmented healthcare services. To achieve a successful transition, care must extend beyond standard discharge instructions to an integrated "hospital-community-family" model. Such an integrated model is essential for reducing hospital readmissions, alleviating caregiver burden, and ultimately improving the long-term quality of life of individuals with PD.