Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background: While Parkinson’s disease (PD) is primarily recognized for its motor symptoms, several non‐motor symptoms may also be present. Among these, pain is one of the most common and debilitating, arising from complex neurophysiological mechanisms that often interact with motor symptoms and comorbidities, leading to a diverse range of clinical presentations. Although a variety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies are used to manage pain in PD, the factors influencing treatment practices remain underexplored, particularly within the Australian healthcare context. This study, therefore, aimed to explore, from the patients’ perspective, factors that influence pain management practices among people with PD living in Australia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research methodology using a maximum variation sampling strategy was used to recruit people with PD, living in Australia. Data were collected using individual, semistructured interviews and thematically analyzed. Results: 18 participants shared their perspectives on the factors that influenced their pain management practices. Thematic analysis of interview data resulted in four themes: (1) recommendations from trusted sources; (2) explorative experimentation and solution seeking; (3) intervention and service provider characteristics; and (4) personal beliefs and abilities; and several subthemes. These findings highlight the complex nature of therapeutic decision‐making from the perspective of people with PD, underscoring the interaction between external and internal influences. Conclusion: There is complexity and nuance in how people with PD make decisions about managing their pain. External and internal factors seem to influence therapeutic decision‐making, while also highlighting notable gaps in the provision of PD pain care services. Understanding these complexities will be critical in developing accessible, effective, and patient‐centered approaches to pain management within this population.

Pain is a common, debilitating, and complex non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), often requiring input from healthcare providers across various disciplines for effective management. The aims of this study were to explore the perspectives of people with PD on the provision of pain care services. A qualitative descriptive research methodology employing a maximum variation sampling strategy was used to recruit people with PD, living in Australia. Data were collected using individual, semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. To ensure trustworthiness, the study was conducted and reported in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Eighteen participants (10 female), with a median age of 71 years (IQR 68-77), shared their perceptions of the provision of PD pain care services. Thematic analysis of interview data resulted in five themes: empathy and understanding (care); acknowledging needs and concerns (listening); explaining diagnoses and treatment options (explaining); expertise in PD (knowledge); and responding to needs with tailored solutions (individualization). Participants' experiences were influenced by the presence, or the lack thereof, of these elements during clinical encounters. Furthermore, participants noted that these features were expressed to varying extents by different types of healthcare providers (neurologists, general practitioners, allied health professionals, and PD nurse specialists), which led to differing perceptions of the quality of pain care services. The findings show that perceptions of pain care are influenced by a healthcare provider's ability to address both the emotional and physical needs of PD patients. The variability observed in participants' experiences highlights the need to ensure that all healthcare providers involved in PD pain care are equipped to deliver empathetic, individualized, patient-centered care that addresses the complex and multifaceted needs of this population.