| | Dyslipidemia | | | Connecting Recent Evidence to Current Treatment : Answers to Your Questions on LDL-C Management
Overview
Early and aggressive LDL-C management and cholesterol goal attainment continue to be challenging clinical issues. This presentation provides clinicians with practical tools to help them implement safe and effective lipid- and cardiovascular risk-reducing strategies in their practice. Not only does the content systematically address common questions in clinical practice, it utilizes case-based discussions to demonstrate the benefits of individualized and aggressive lipid-lowering strategies.
Objectives
Identify at least 2 lipid lowering strategies to institute a comprehensive and individualized management plan for patients with high LDL-C in order to reach and maintain targeted goals
Implement aggressive strategies in clinical practice (increasing dosage, using multiple therapies, etc.) to help patients reach guideline-based cholesterol goals rather than treating them to mere "good enough" levels
Faculty
James de Lemos, MD
James A. Underberg, MD, MS, FACPM, FACP, FNLA
| | | Sleep Apnea | | | Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Practitioner-Driven Educational Initiative
Overview
The National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports that there are 12 million Americans with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Despite the prevalence of this common condition, studies show that 80 -90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed. Patients who suffer silently with undiagnosed OSA face significant quality of life and associated health issues. Identifying patients with OSA can be a challenge in the busy office setting, and requires the clinician to maintain a high level of suspicion based on sometimes subtle patient complaints, physical exam findings, and OSA risk factors. Once diagnosed and treatment is initiated, successful management is the cornerstone to better patient outcomes. As the first medical contact for most patients with OSA primary care clinicians are crucial for both recognition and management of patients with OSA. This educational activity will provide both the science and the skills that can make significant improvements in the lives of patients with OSA.
Objectives
Recognize the signs and symptoms of OSA and utilize simple assessment questions to identify the possibility of OSA
Identify strategies to assess and monitor patient adherence to treatment for OSA
Faculty
Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP
Family Physician
Collegeville Family Practice
Medical Director of Health Services, Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Karl Doghramji, MD
Medical Director, Sleep Disorders Center
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
| | | Opioid Therapy | | | Strategies to Optimize Pain Management While Minimizing Opioid Abuse
Overview
Chronic non-cancer pain is a common, burdensome, and complex clinical problem. Opioid therapy may be an integral part of a treatment plan for patients with chronic non-cancer pain if the proper precautions and direction are taken prior to its induction. This program will review the application of screening and monitoring tools, including the Universal Precautions, as well as state and federal policies on opioid therapy and the potential role of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations
Objectives
Utilize evidence- and guideline-based strategies for risk management of opioid therapy in patients with chronic pain
Describe pharmacologic strategies that reduce aberrant drug-related behaviors
Faculty
Steven D. Passik, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Associate Attending Psychologist
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Howard Heit, MD
Board Certified in Internal Medicine and
Gastroenterology/Hepatology
Diplomat in Addiction Medicine
Certified Medical Review Officer
Chronic Pain Specialist
Assistant Clinical Professor
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
| | | Atherothrombosis | | | Prevent The Event: A Case Discussion of Atherothrombosis
Overview
In the US, CVD and stroke remain the number 1 and number 3 killers of both men and women of all races and ethnicity and presents a significant challenge to the primary care clinician. Earlier identification, intervention and effective treatment strategies are needed
This case-based, interactive lecture will demonstrate both knowledge and implementation of comprehensive risk reduction strategies and the AHA/ACC/ASA Guidelines for treating patients with atherothrombotic disease, with an emphasis on antiplatelet therapies.
Objectives
Identify traditional and emerging risk factors that may aid in identifying patients at risk and with sub-clinical CVD
Implement the AHA/ACC Guidelines for oral antiplatelet therapy in patients with all forms of ACS (UA, NSTEMI, STEMI and PCI)
Faculty
Kelly Anne Spratt, DO, FACC
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Cardiovascular Risk Intervention Program
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
David S. Kountz, MD, FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
| | | Depression | | | Effectively Assessing and Treating Patients With Challenging Depression in Primary Care: A Case-based Approach
Overview
Many patients with major depressive disorder remain at risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes, due to a variety of reasons including the effects of comorbid disorders, their inability to reach remission, residual symptoms and possible treatment resistance. This program will provide for the primary care practitioner audience management strategies for the patient with challenging depression; including assessment tools to aid screening and diagnosis, discussion of strategic options when first-line therapies do not succeed, and a guide to managing treatment resistance in patients.
Objectives
Recognize the hallmark features of MDD in order to establish a timely diagnosis and initiate effective treatment
Assess patients receiving treatment for MDD and implement management strategies for those with inadequate response
Faculty
Larry Culpepper, MD, MPH
Professor of Family Medicine
Department of Family Medicine Chair
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA
Chief of Family Practice
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
George I. Papakostas, MD
Director, Treatment-Resistant Depression Studies
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
| | | Chronic Pain | | | Chronic Pain: The Mechanisms, Challenges and Treatments for Primary Care
Overview
Establishing accurate diagnoses of chronic pain conditions continues to be a challenge in primary care. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms of action of chronic pain drugs may be rooted in encouraging positive long-term outcomes and reversing negative patient attitudes towards treatment. With a focus on evidence-based diagnostic strategies and the biological mechanisms of therapeutic options, this presentation provides clinicians with practical tools to help them implement safe and effective chronic pain management strategies in their practice.
Objectives
Implement assessment tools that will more clearly define frequency, location, nature, duration, and severity of chronic pain in order to distinguish chronic pain conditions and improve the accuracy of your chronic pain diagnoses
Improve response to treatment in your chronic pain patients by understanding the biological mechanisms of their pain and choosing therapy that specifically addresses these mechanisms
Faculty
Charles Raison, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
W. Clay Jackson, MD, DipTh
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry
University of Tennessee
Medical Director
Methodist Alliance Hospice and Palliative Services
Memphis, TN
| | | Testosterone Replacement Therapy | | | Testosterone Deficiency: A Crucial Factor in Men's Health
Overview
Testosterone has long been understood to play an important role in sexual function, mood, and bone health, but new findings point to associations between testosterone levels and multiple other domains of men's health. Notably, low testosterone levels may signal elevated risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. The repercussions for morbidity, mortality, and quality of life mean that primary care clinicians must stay current on best practices in screening for, diagnosing, and managing male hypogonadism.
Objectives
Identify symptoms of male hypogonadism
Identify comorbid conditions associated with low levels of testosterone
Assess the risks and benefits of initiating testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men
Faculty
Andre T. Guay, MD
Director, Center for Sexual Function/Endocrinology
Lahey Clinic Northshore
Peabody, MA
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology)
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
Martin Miner, MD
Co-Director, Men's Health Center
Miriam Hospital
Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Brown University
Providence, RI
| | | Gout | | | Gout and Hyperuricemia: Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Primary Care
Overview
This educational sequence will present guidance on treating gout/hyperuricemia patients in the primary care practice. The program will focus on recognition of risk factors, the association between gout and metabolic syndrome, and effective short and long-term strategies for managing gouty arthritis/hyperuricemia both alone and in the presence of multiple comorbidities.
Objectives
Employ appropriate screening, diagnostic, and monitoring strategies in their patients suspected of having gout/hyperuricemia
Outline the optimal use of urate-lowering therapies to treat gout and options to treat and prevent acute flares of gouty arthritis in a range of patients
Design a clinical management plan for gout patients that includes patient education, optimizing adherence, comprehensive attention to diet and lifestyle choices, and long-term management of gout in the face of multiple comorbidities
Faculty
Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP
Family Physician
Collegeville Family Practice
Medical Director of Health Services, Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Brian Mandell, MD, PhD, FACP, FACR
Professor and Chairman of Medicine
CCF Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU
Center for Vasculitis Care and Research
Editor in Chief, Cleveland Clinic of Medicine
The Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
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