Objective:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder among individuals over 50 years old and poses a significant public health challenge in Mexico. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for improving motor symptoms and reducing medication dependency, its adoption in Mexico faces multiple barriers. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers among physicians regarding DBS to identify key areas for optimizing its accessibility for PD patients.

Methods:

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using a 19-question online survey targeting Mexican physicians who treat patients with PD. A total of 69 physicians from various specialties participated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results:

Among respondents, 89.9% considered DBS to be safe, and 94.2% did not perceive it as a last resort treatment. However, 71.0% lacked specialized training in DBS, and 34.8% had no contact with specialized DBS centers. The main reported barriers included the high cost of the procedure (79.7%), centralization of services in major cities (29%), and limited knowledge among physicians and patients (21.7%).

Conclusions:

Despite favorable attitudes toward DBS in Mexico, economic, educational, and infrastructural barriers hinder its implementation. It is crucial to develop funding policies, decentralize services, and strengthen medical training to ensure equitable and timely access to this advanced therapy.

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