Communication gaps about OFF periods between physicians and patients with Parkinson’s disease: a patient–physician dialogue analysis

Background: As Parkinson’s disease (PD) progresses, patients may experience the return of PD symptoms (OFF periods) despite treatment. Recognizing and treating OFF periods requires effective communication between physicians and patients. Methods: A linguistic analysis investigated communication gaps between patients and physicians using a database containing dialogues recorded during regular office visits. Follow-up interviews were conducted with selected physicians, patients, and caregivers. Results: Four areas were identified showing communication gaps between patients and physicians: differences in language; patient knowledge about OFF periods; differences in approach to describing OFF periods; and attitude toward management of OFF periods. Conclusion: Closing communication gaps may improve overall PD management.