Supporting Parkinson's Disease Caregivers and Training Future Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Student-Led Virtual Support Group.

PURPOSE: Parkinson's disease (PD) caregivers face significant emotional, physical, and social challenges that result in poor health outcomes. Despite their critical role, caregivers receive limited support from health care systems. The current study explored the feasibility and acceptability of a student-led virtual support group for PD caregivers.

METHOD: The goal of the support group was to provide a safe space for peer connection, emotional processing, and health education. Feasibility was assessed through participation metrics alongside program surveys measuring loneliness, self-care engagement, satisfaction, and student learning.

RESULTS

Results indicated that caregivers reported moderate levels of loneliness and inconsistent self-care but expressed satisfaction and perceived benefit from the group. Students reported gains in empathy, active listening, and confidence in group facilitation. This model provided meaningful caregiver support and valuable experiential student learning.

CONCLUSION

Findings offer a delivery model to address the unmet mental health needs of caregivers and psychiatric-mental health nurse training.