A study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of an online continuing medical education (CME) program to improve awareness of the management of adults with SMA among neurologists.

The online CME activity consisted of a 30-minute video discussion between three pediatric neuromuscular experts. Educational effect was assessed by comparing a matched sample of neurologists’ responses to four identical questions presented before and directly after the activity.  A paired samples t-test was used for overall average number of selected responses and a McNemar’s test was used to identify significant differences between pre- and post-responses. Cohen’s d was used to calculate the effect size. Data were collected between December 28, 2023 and March 18, 2024.

Participation in the CME intervention resulted in a moderate educational effect size among neurologists (n=46; d=.64; p<0.001). The following areas showed significant (P <.05) pre- vs post-educational improvements: the core elements to examine following the transition of a patient with SMA to an adult care provider and differential effect of SMA pharmacotherapies on reproductive health. There was a numeric but not statistically significant improvement in those who correctly identified the age group that demonstrated the most robust response to an approved SMA pharmacotherapy.  After participating in the activity, 39% of neurologists reported an increase in their confidence to develop a treatment plan for adults with SMA.

The results indicated that the CME-certified 30-minute video discussion between experts was effective at improving the knowledge, competence, and confidence of managing SMA in adult patients. Future educational efforts should continue to address the assessment and personalization of the treatment plan for adult patients with SMA.