Online Medical Education Program Improves Neurologist Knowledge and Competence of the Management of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesia Despite Moderate to High Pre-education Awareness
Thomas Finnegan1, Jovana Lubarda1, Pakinam Aboulsaoud1, Daniel Claassen2
1Medscape Education, 2Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Objective:
A study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of an online educational intervention to improve the preparedness of neurologists to recognize and manage symptoms of levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID).
Background:
LID occurs when the antiparkinsonian effects of levodopa/carbidopa are maximized. LID may be challenging to detect because it is variable in nature, severity, and pattern of symptoms. Outcomes from previous medical education programs indicated suboptimal knowledge, competence, and confidence on the management of LID.
Design/Methods:

The online continuing medical education activity consisted of a 30-minute video discussion between two movement disorder experts. Educational effect was assessed by comparing a matched sample of neurologists’ responses to four identical questions presented before and directly after exposure to the intervention.  A paired samples t-test and McNemar’s test was used to identify significant differences between pre- and post-assessment question responses. Cohen’s d was used to calculate the educational effect size. Data were collected between May 17, 2023 and July 26, 2023.

Results:

Participation in the CME intervention resulted in a small educational effect size among neurologists (n=131; d=0.49; p<0.001). The following areas showed significant (P <.05) pre- vs post-educational improvements: identifying chorea associated with LID (58% had pre-education awareness) and the selection of a formulation of amantadine in a patient case of LID (73% had pre-education awareness). There was a trend towards significance (P=.058) on a question about clinical trial outcomes regarding dyskinesia associated with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (76% had pre-education awareness). After participating in the activity, 41% of neurologists reported increased confidence in their ability to management of LID.

Conclusions:

The results indicated that despite substantial pre-education awareness of LID, this CME-certified 30-minute video further improved knowledge, competence, and confidence regarding the management of LID. Future educational effort should focus on both reinforcing basic concepts and introduce more complex topics related to the management of LID.

10.1212/WNL.0000000000204603