Barriers and Facilitators to Conversation: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of People with Parkinson’s and Their Close Communication Partners

Abstract

Conversations are an important part of our daily lives, enabling us to interact with others and participate in a range of activities. For people with Parkinson’s, conversation can be challenging when communication is impacted. This qualitative exploratory study investigated the experiences of people with Parkinson’s and their close communication partners in conversations. The study explored influences on conversational participation, considering perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in conversation for people with Parkinson’s. Interviews were conducted with eight dyads, with participants interviewed both jointly and separately (24 interviews). Five themes revealed that conversation appears to be influenced not only by the communication skills of the person with Parkinson’s, but also by factors associated with the communication partner, the complex nature of conversations, the communication environment, and the impact of experience in shaping participation in conversation. Specific barriers and facilitators to conversational participation were identified. This study offers important insight into the lived experience of people with Parkinson’s affected by communication difficulties. The findings support the notion that it is more than simply the communication skills of the person with Parkinson’s that influence conversations. It is important that other factors influencing conversational success should be included in interventions supporting communication for people with Parkinson’s.