Objective:

The primary objective of this study was to increase PCP comfort and knowledge with recognizing and treating patients with suspected PD motor and non-motor symptoms.  The secondary objective was to increase PCP comfort with starting Sinemet on a symptomatic patient suspected of having PD.

Background:

Many patients with PD present first to their PCP before being referred to Neurology. There are often long waits to get into Neurology clinic, therefore it is important to increase PCP comfort and knowledge of PD.

Design/Methods:

This intervention was completed for Family Medicine residents. The intervention was an hour lecture with educational slides and case videos that covered: the definition of Parkinsonism, motor and non-motor symptoms, the movement disorders neurologic exam, and guidance on starting a Sinemet trial. The study objectives were assessed through analysis of pre and post intervention five-point Likert scale surveys that assessed the residents’ comfort and knowledge of the assessment and treatment of PD.

Results:

The pre and post survey analysis found significant increases in reported comfort levels in: doing a neurologic exam for PD (P <0.002); diagnosing someone with PD (P <0.002); and starting Sinemet on a suspected PD patient (P <0.0001). Analysis found a 68% increase in percent of residents knowledgeable of Sinemet side effects after the lecture.

Conclusions:

Educational intervention significantly improved PCP comfort levels with the assessment and treatment of PD patients. Increasing PCP comfort level in starting Sinemet trials on potential PD patients improves patient access to earlier PD treatment and having patients’ response to a Sinemet trial helps the Neurologist with further assessment and treatment. Family Medicine residents’ curriculum benefits from additional presentations to continually improve their comfort and knowledge of a wide array of neurological conditions.