Evaluate doctors' knowledge and practice in managing Parkinson's disease during acute admissions.

Introduction

Patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) frequently experience delays or missed doses of time-critical medications, leading to worsened symptoms and prolonged stays. This issue is thought to be partly due to gaps in doctors’ knowledge and prescribing practices. Therefore, this project uses a survey to assess staff knowledge and practices and identify gaps in managing Parkinson’s medications in acute and complex clinical scenarios.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 26 doctors across adult medical wards and the Emergency Department, including consultants and trainees. The survey utilised clinical scenarios involving delirium, falls, NBM status, and end-of-life care to assess knowledge and identify training gaps over a two-month period.

Results: While 100% of participants recognised that PD medication timing is critical, only 15 (57%) consistently used the EPR to confirm timely administration.

Key knowledge gaps were identified: 31% were unsure how to manage aggressive PD patients, and only 46% were aware that PD patients require osteoporosis assessment. Notably, 61.5% of respondents had received no formal PD training in the last two years, and confidence in end-of-life care was low, with only five participants feeling fully confident. For NBM scenarios, 23 recommended Rotigotine patches, yet confidence in using conversion calculators varied significantly.

Conclusion: The survey highlights a significant self-perceived gap in foundational PD knowledge among acute-care doctors. In response, the project has implemented micro-teaching sessions to standardise care and minimise medication errors in the acute setting.