Authors of a single-center retrospective review of 89 people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) assessed adherence to 14 American Academy of Neurology quality metrics (QMs) over the prior year. On average, 8.9 QMs were addressed. Screening most often covered motor complications, rehabilitation referrals, falls, and autonomic dysfunction, whereas apathy and impulse control disorders (ICDs) were least frequently assessed. Using McNemar’s test and logistic regression, the study found that adherence to depression, apathy, and advance care planning QMs varied by age and/or visit frequency. Overall screening across all recommended measures remained suboptimal, highlighting missed opportunities during routine encounters.
Roles differed by specialty: neurologists more often addressed motor complications, psychosis, ICDs, and sleep disturbance, while primary care providers (PCPs) more frequently screened for depression and conducted advance care planning. Importantly, PCP involvement improved overall QM adherence across domains. The authors conclude that systematic screening workflows—particularly targeting apathy and ICDs—and closer partnerships with PCPs can reduce provider burden and enhance quality of life for PwP. Although limited by its single-center, retrospective design, the study points to actionable steps such as EMR-driven checklists, shared-care protocols, and scheduled PCP touchpoints for depression screening, exercise counseling, and advance care planning.
Reference: Bradford T, Lima B, Milauskas K, et al. Quality Measure Adherence in Parkinson’s Disease: A Single Center Experience***Parkinson’s Disease Quality Measures. Clin Park Relat Disord. 2025;12:100337. doi: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2025.100337.
