CME Outfitters Announces New Rheumatoid Arthritis Medical Simulation Series
Interactive four-part series titled "Case Series in Rheumatoid Arthritis" offers opportunity for clinicians to further develop their problem-solving skills, benefit from input and expertise of experienced faculty, and practice clinical skills to improve patient care
Rockville, MD (PRWEB) May 5, 2010
CME Outfitters, LLC, an award-winning accredited provider of multidisciplinary continuing education, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a new continuing education Medical Simulation series at cmeoutfitters. com. The four-part series, titled "Case Series in Rheumatoid Arthritis" was launched on April 28, 2010.
Each of the four Medical Simulations is a standalone CME activity offering 0.75 credit hours. Participants can earn up to 3.0 CME credits by completing all four parts.
Part 1: Partial Response to a Biologic
Part 2: 3-Month Follow-Up After Switch to Another Biologic
Part 3: Identification of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Part 4: 3-Month Follow-Up After Start on Biologic
There is no fee to participate or receive CME credit for this series; however, registration is required. For more information, or to participate in any of these activities, please visit http://www. cmeoutfitters. com/PR476 (http://www. cmeoutfitters. com/PR476).
Moderator:
John J. Cush, MD
Director of Clinical Rheumatology
Baylor Research Institute
Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology
Baylor University Medical Center
Clinical Professor, Internal Medicine
The University of Texas Southwestern
Medical School
Dallas, TX
Faculty:
Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MPH (Parts 1 and 2)
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, UAB Arthritis Clinical Intervention Program (ACIP)
Associate Director, UAB Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
J. Timothy Harrington, MD (Parts 3 and 4)
Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology Division
Department of Medicine
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, WI
Bernard R. Rubin, DO, MPH, FACP (Parts 3 and 4)
Professor of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Fort Worth, TX
Statement of Need:
Regularly scheduled, standardized, quantitative measurement of disease status is widely recognized as essential to improving chronic disease management and outcomes. Optimal therapeutic decisions depend on and are driven by such measurement. The management of inflammatory arthritis is a complex matrix of managing symptoms with risk not only associated with disease progression, but also with complications that arise from drug therapy and various comorbidities. Patients can present with hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, and an increased susceptibility for infection. The epidemiology and natural history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) support early, aggressive treatment to reduce joint damage and functional decline. However, early treatment of RA requires timely referrals and improved communication between rheumatology and primary care. Patient education has become an integral part of the therapeutic approach to helping patients with RA to self-manage their arthritis. A variety of evidence indicates that educational attainment is associated with better disease outcomes in RA. In this series of case vignettes, the faculty will address the issues facing rheumatologists and their patients in achieving improved outcomes in the management of RA.
Series Goal:
To increase awareness and recognition of gaps in knowledge related to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, the development of treatment strategies, and the integration of patient education to improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Part 1: Identify key indications for the use of biologics; Utilize performance measures and assessment tools to assess disease status in patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy.
Part 2: Consider tactics for optimization of drug therapy and implications for susceptibility to infection; Recognize the importance of consistent patient follow-up, disease measurement, knowledge of appropriate vaccination schedules, and vigilance with regard to toxicities associated with biologic therapy of RA.
Part 3: Ascertain an accurate diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and recognize the impact of inadequate treatment of RA; Compare and contrast treatment options and discern the need for aggressive DMARD and biologic use.
Part 4: Recognize potential adverse events associated with pharmacologic therapy of RA, and complications attributed to common comorbidities; Consider rationale for changes in therapy and value of consultation with other specialties for enhanced treatment management.
Target Audience:
Rheumatologists, pain specialists, primary care physicians, and any clinical healthcare professional interested in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Financial Support:
This activity is supported by an educational donation provided by Amgen and by an independent educational grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Credit Information:
This series offers CME credit for:
Physicians (ACCME/AMA PRA Category 1)
All other clinicians will receive a CME Attendance Certificate.
About CME Outfitters:
CME Outfitters, LLC, develops and distributes live, recorded, print, and web-based educational activities to thousands of clinicians each year and offers expert accreditation services for non-accredited organizations. For a complete catalog of certified activities, please visit http://www. cmeoutfitters. com (http://www. cmeoutfitters. com) or call 877.CME. PROS (877.263.7767). Clinical Compass™, a bi-weekly e-newsletter published by CME Outfitters, is a convenient way to stay informed of all of our news and information. To subscribe, visit http://www. cmeoutfitters. com (http://www. cmeoutfitters. com) and click on the "Create User Profile" link.
About Medical Simulations:
CME Outfitters Medical Simulations are dynamic, interactive, patient management scenarios that walk the learner through differential diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies in a variety of clinical areas. These simulations combine video presentations, the latest evidence, and real-world challenges and questions to create a learning environment focused on improving patient care. Each question represents a decision point in the case where the learner, as the clinician, must choose how to proceed based on the available information. Just as in clinical practice, there are often several choices that may lead to an optimal outcome for each patient. When the learner chooses an answer, the rationale and evidence supporting each answer is displayed.
Contact:
Jessica Primanzon
CME Outfitters, LLC
614.328.4508 direct
240.243.1033 fax
###
