Managing Parkinson’s Disease: Strategies for PCPs to Take the Lead
- CME / AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- MOC / ABIM MOC Part 2 Credit
- Physicians – prescribed AAFP Credit(s)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons that affects approximately a million people in the US and is increasing in frequency. The cornerstone of treatment for decades has been dopamine replacement with oral carbidopa/levodopa, but clinical advances have significantly increased the number of therapeutic options, particularly in the last several years. Because there is a shortage of clinicians specializing in the management of PD, for many patients the bulk of care will be provided by primary care physicians (PCPs).
The CME program, “Managing Parkinson’s Disease: Strategies for PCPs to Take the Lead” will provide PCPs with evidence-based strategies for developing individualized treatment regimens, assessing patient response to treatment, differentiating “on” and “off” periods from L-dopa-induced dyskinesias and disease progression, modifying treatment regimens as needed, and educating patients and caregivers so they can be active participants in shared decision-making as part of a multidisciplinary management team.
AGENDA
Welcome and Introduction
Causes of Increased Symptoms in PD Patients
Modifying Therapy in PD Patients
Causes of Increased Motor Symptoms in PD Patients
Q&A Session and Activity Roundup
TARGET AUDIENCE
The intended audiences for this educational initiative are primary care physicians (PCPs; internal medicine and family medicine) and other allied healthcare clinicians who manage patients who have PD.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
This program is designed to address ACGME and IOM competencies, including delivering patient-centered care, practicing evidence-based medicine, and focusing on quality improvement.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Recognize and assess “off times” in patients with PD managed with levodopa
- Develop an evidence-based individualized treatment approach to maximize “on” time and minimize “off” time and dyskinesias for patients with PD
- Engage patients with PD and their caregivers in the management decisions related to their care
ACCREDITATION
Physicians – This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Penn State College of Medicine and Rockpointe. The Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION
Physicians – The Penn State College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Information about CME credit for this activity is available by contacting Penn State at 717-531-6483 or ContinuingEd@hmc.psu.edu. Reference course #G6684-21-T.
FACULTY

Senior Family Physician
Collegeville Family Practice
Medical Director of Health Services
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Dr. Doghramji received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA in 1982. He then completed his residency in family practice at Chestnut Hill Hospital in 1985. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, which awarded him a Fellowship Degree in 2005. He is also member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. He has received the American Medical Association’s Physician Recognition Award eight times, in every qualifying year; the last time was in 2011.
Dr. Doghramji has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Medicine, Current Medical Research and Opinion, and Postgraduate Medicine, as well as on numerous websites on topics such as sleep disorders, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, biology of leg disorders, depression, chronic pain, health literacy, and diabetes. He is also co-author of the textbook, Clinical Management of Insomnia, recently out in its second edition.

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology
Director, Deep Brain Stimulation Program
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Miami, FL
Dr. Corneliu Luca is medical director of the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) clinical program at University of Miami, and the Director of Movement Disorders Fellowship. He served as principal investigator in more than 30 clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease, and is an active member of Parkinson Study Group, a world recognized clinical trial network for movement disorders. He has published over 80 scientific papers, book chapters and abstracts and is recognized nationally for his clinical and translational research in the movement disorders. His research has received support from National Institutes of Health, American Academy of Neurology, and Parkinson’s Foundation.
ABIM MOC DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
To receive MOC points, you MUST pass the post-test and complete the evaluation. For ABIM MOC points, your information will be shared with the ABIM through Penn State’s ACCME Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS). Please allow 6-8 weeks for your MOC points to appear on your ABIM records.
MOC APPROVAL STATEMENT
Through the American Board of Medical Specialties (“ABMS”) ongoing commitment to increase access to practice relevant Continuing Certification Activities through the ABMS Continuing Certification Directory, "Managing Parkinson’s Disease: Strategies for PCPs to Take the Lead" has met the requirements as a MOC Part II CME Activity (apply toward general CME requirement) for the following ABMS Member Boards:
MOC Part II CME Activity
Family Medicine
AAFP CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The AAFP has reviewed Managing Parkinson’s Disease: Strategies for PCPs to Take the Lead and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit. Term of Approval is from 12/18/2020 to 12/18/2021. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
DISCLAIMER
DISCLOSURES
Faculty Disclosures
The faculty reported the following relevant financial relationships that they or their spouse/partner have with commercial interests:
Paul P. Doghramji, MD: Consultant/Advisor: Eisai, Jazz; Speakers Bureau: Abbvie, Eisai, Harmony Biopharma; Stock Ownership: Pfizer
Corneliu Luca, MD, PhD: Consultant/Advisor: Abbott, Accorda, Amneal, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic; Research Grant: Boston Pharmaceuticals
Non-faculty Content Contributors Disclosures
Non-faculty content contributors and/or reviewers reported the following relevant financial relationships that they or their spouse/partner have with commercial interests:
Chad Williamson, MS, MBA, CMPP; Brian Jack, MD: Nothing to disclose
Penn State faculty and staff involved in the development or review of this material have nothing to disclose.
FDA DISCLOSURE
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS AND OBTAINING CME/MIPS CREDIT/MOC POINTS
PROVIDER
Jointly provided by Penn State College of Medicine and Rockpointe
SUPPORTER
This program is supported by educational grants from Acorda Therapeutics and Biogen.
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