Medical Profession Sets New Guidelines for Parkinson's Care

01/04/2011

Medical treatment of Parkinson’s disease requires a comprehensive approach and often a team of experts with a focus on helping you improve your symptoms, select the best treatments, and optimize your quality of life. In November 2010 The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) published an article titled, Quality improvement in Neurology: AAN Parkinson disease quality measures that defines the a national program designed to measure the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s.

The AAN is a professional organization with over 22,500 members of the professional medical community dedicated to “providing the best possible care for patients with neurologic disorders.

This article puts forth 10 important areas of concern that physicians or healthcare providers should review or ask questions about during the medical visits. These recommendations were made by a panel of experts after review of the literature, assessments of current gaps in care and their potential to improve quality of care.

The following table is reprinted with permission by the AAN and lists the 10 quality care measures for Parkinson’s disease. Click here to print a patient version for your records or to review with your healthcare provider.

Description of 10 Parkinson disease measures approved by the American Academy of Neurology

Annual Parkinson disease diagnosis review. All patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease should have their diagnosis reviewed, including a review of current medications and a review of the presence of atypical features [e.g., falls at presentation and early in the disease course, poor response to levodopa, symmetry at onset, rapid progression] at least annually
Psychiatric disorders or disturbances assessment. All patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson disease assessed for psychiatric disturbances (psychosis, depression, anxiety, or impulse control disorder) at least annually.
Cognitive impairment or dysfunction assessment. All patients diagnosed with Parkinson disease assessed for cognitive impairment or dysfunction at least annually
Quering about symptoms of autonomic dysfunction at least annually. (Dizziness, constipation, bladder control and sexual dysfunction.)
Ask about sleep disturbances at least annually
Ask about falls
Parkinson’s rehabilitative therapies (see comprehensive care worksheet)
Parkinson’s related safety issues and counseling
Ask about medicine related motor complications [e.g. wearing off dyskinesia or off-time]
Parkinson disease medical and surgical treatment options reviewed.

Author: Monique Giroux, MD

www.nwpf.org/wellness

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