2025 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

The main objective was to increase primary care providers (PCP, general practitioners -GP- and pharmacists) knowledge of Parkinson’s disease (PD), therefore increasing their self-confidence in providing adequate care for PD patients.

Background:

PCP are an essential part of the healthcare team for PD patients. However, several studies have highlighted knowledge gaps that may hinder quality of care. PCP may feel insufficiently competent, due to lack of specific training (neurology/movement disorders) and skills (clinical and/or technical) to adequately manage this complex chronic disorder.

Design/Methods:

The training day was designed to cover the entire PD patient care pathway, from diagnosis to end-of-life (clinical assessment/diagnosis, treatment options, palliative care, role of GPs/pharmacists/nurses/ dentists/patients associations). Workshops were also organized to present device-aided therapies, encourage multidisciplinary approaches and discuss practices. Logistics and communications were handled by our University's continuing education department. Study objectives were assessed through analysis of pre and post intervention five-point Likert scale (Wilcoxon rank sum test).

Results:

22 GPs and 9 pharmacists attended the program. Post evaluation was completed by 20 GPs and 5 pharmacists. Pre and post survey analysis found significant increases in GP's reported comfort levels in:performing a clinical examination for tremor (p<<0.001), considering a PD diagnosis (p<0.01), advising on device-aided therapies (DAT) (p<0.001), counseling caregivers (<0.001) and in terminal management (p<0.001). At the end of the program, pharmacists similarly reported significant increases comfort levels in referring a patient to a GP (p<0.05), issuing a first prescription for PD treatment (p<0.01), advising Parkinson's patients on DAT (p<0.01), counseling caregivers (p<0.01), and in terminal management (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

This one-day program significantly improved the self-confidence of primary care providers. Similar continuing professional development initiatives, specifically designed for primary care providers and dedicated to PD, could contribute on a larger scale to improving PD patients care and quality of life.