Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia greatly affect quality of life by limiting mobility, independence, and daily activities. Medications are often the first step in treatment, but they can become less effective as the disease progresses. For some patients, additional options include device-based therapies or surgeries such as deep brain stimulation, pump-based medication infusions, and focused ultrasound or lesion procedures. These treatments can offer improvements in movement symptoms and daily functioning for appropriately selected patients. However, not all patients who could benefit from these treatments are able to access them. Research shows that women, people from racialized groups, and those with lower incomes are less likely to receive these therapies, even when they may be good candidates. These differences may result from barriers in the referral process, limited health resources, or larger social and economic inequities that affect access to care. This project will study how ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status influence access to device-based and surgical therapies for movement disorders in Canada. We will do this by: (1) reviewing published studies to explore trends in access; (2) analyzing Canadian health records to determine who is receiving treatment; (3) interviewing patients and families about their experiences with referrals and decision-making; and (4) interviewing healthcare providers about their perspectives on referring patients to these therapies. We will also examine whether factors such as gender, ethnicity, or income influence recovery and quality of life after surgery. This project will provide a clearer picture of how inequities affect patients living with movement disorders in Canada. The findings will guide healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocacy groups in improving access to care for all patients, and strengthen equity in the Canadian healthcare system.