Engaging Patient Perspectives to Identify Barriers to Focused Ultrasound for Management of Tremor-dominant Parkinson’s Disease

Tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (TDPD) is associated with noticeable hand/arm tremor that can disrupt everyday tasks, complicate social interactions and impact mental health. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a safe, non-invasive surgical option to manage tremor. However, there is limited gender and cultural diversity in the cohort of patients with TDPD that is treated using MRgFUS at our hospital. We aim to understand the barriers that limit diversity within our cohort. Insights generated from this work will inform strategies to improve engagement, reduce disparities, and ensure care models better reflect the needs of diverse patient populations.