Parkinson's Disease: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Motor Symptoms
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Physician Assistant, Physician
Course Overview
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Its rising prevalence and significant impact on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems make it an important area of focus for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to care. The exact cause of PD remains unknown, but in most cases, it is likely due to genetic and environmental factors. Motor symptoms are the hallmark of PD. The cardinal motor symptoms of PD are bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Individuals experience unique combinations of symptoms and rates of progression. A multi-pronged approach for patients, with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, is important because each patient's clinical presentation is unique and symptom onset varies. Increasing awareness of the characteristics, pathophysiology, and nonmotor symptoms of PD; new treatment options; and the roles of interprofessional team members should lead to improved patient understanding of their condition, improved quality of life and symptom control, and increased caregiver awareness.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- List the characteristic motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
- Apply a basic understanding of Parkinson's disease pathophysiology to explain the rationale for drug selection
- Compare and contrast the different classes of medications used to treat motor symptoms
- Identify opportunities for collaboration within the multidisciplinary care team to optimize patient outcomes
Faculty
- Introduction
- Epidemiology
- Prevalence and Incidence
- Causes and Modifying Factors
- Clinical Presentation
- Prodromal Phase
- Motor Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Criteria
- Absolute Exclusion Criteria
- Diagnostic Challenges
- Case Presentation: Recognizing Red Flags
- Pathophysiology
- Parkinson's Disease Management
- A Multidisciplinary Approach
- Pharmacologic Management
- Preventing Side Effects
- Non-Pharmacologic Management
- Advanced and Emerging Therapies
- Future Directions
- Case Study: Patient Counseling and Education
- Summary
From May 15, 2026 through May 15, 2029, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Kimberly Valenta, MD; Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.