Conference Description

Registration is closed for this course

September 20, 2008
Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
3555 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, Florida

Tell a friend about this conference

Release Date: September 20, 2008

Expiration Date: September 20, 2008

Estimated Time To Complete CME Activity: 6.75 Hours

Medium/Method: Live Conference

Hardware/Software Requirements: None

CME Credits: 6.75*

Nonrefundable registration fee: $0.

Target Audience: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants caring for patients with rheumatic diseases

Program Summary:
This educational activity is designed to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other providers treating patients with rheumatic diseases the opportunity to learn about safety issues in biologic therapy, the importance of managing comorbidities in RA, new biologics for treatment of RA and lupus, management of fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic pain, CNS vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis, emerging biologic therapies, and treatments for osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

In planning this CME activity, the National Association for Continuing Education (NACE) performed a needs assessment. A literature search was conducted, national guidelines were reviewed, survey data was analyzed, and experts in each therapeutic area were consulted to determine gaps in practitioner knowledge, competence or performance.

Learning objectives (see below), linked to identified gaps, were developed and will be addressed by each presenter. This multidisciplinary program will utilize a variety of educational techniques incorporating the various aspects of Adult Learning Principles. There will be emphasis on audience participation utilizing interactive case-based presentations to deliver educational material. Participants will be asked to engage in pre and post testing to collect data for outcome studies and to uncover unmet needs for future programming. Each participant will be provided with a syllabus containing presentations, clinical tools, and practical guidelines at the start of the program to be used for future reference.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

1. Explain the immunological process involved in rheumatic diseases; Understand basic immunology as it applies to current therapies for rheumatic disease
2. Know various biologic therapies undergoing clinical development; Understand the mechanisms of action of emerging biologic therapies; Evaluate potential consequences of treatment with new biologic agents
3. Describe the risks versus benefits of biologic agents in rheumatic diseases; Discuss current data on adverse effects of biologic agents and safety issues
4. Identify comorbid conditions associated with RA; Discuss recent insights into the pathophysiology of RA-related comorbidities; Describe the effects of biologics on comorbid conditions in patients with RA
5. Discuss the clinical presentation of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS); Identify the ways of distinguishing between PACNS and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS); Analyze a real case and the appropriate diagnostic approach
6. Discuss the common skin findings in cutaneous vasculitis , Explain the classification of vasculitis involving the skin Analyze real cases in terms of their involvement of small versus medium-sized blood vessels and discuss their outcomes
7. Discuss the latest advances in the treatment of Fibromyalgia and chronic pain
8. Discuss and implement current guidelines for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the jaw; Explain the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of therapies

Agenda:

7:45-8:15 am		Continental Breakfast and Registration
8:15-8:30		Welcome Remarks Alan Brown, MD
8:30-9:20		Mechanistic Insights into New Biologics for Treatment of RA and Lupus Gary Gilkeson, MD
9:20-10:10		Emerging Biologic Therapies Alvin Wells, MD, PhD
10:10-10:30		Break/Vendor Area
10:30-11:20		Safety Issues in Biologic Therapy: Case Studies and Discussion John J. Cush, MD
11:20-12:10		The Importance of Managing Comorbidities in RA: Case Studies and Discussion John J. Cush, MD
12:10-1:10		Lunch
1:10-2:00		CNS Vasculitis: Is that ever the correct diagnosis?: Case Studies and Discussion John Stone, MD
2:00-2:50		Cutaneous Vasculitis: What the non-dermatologist needs to know: Case Studies and Discussion John Stone, MD
2:50-3:10		Break
3:10-4:00		Update in the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Pain: Case Studies and Discussion Yvonne Sherrer, MD
4:00-4:50		An Update in Treatments for Osteoporosis and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Case Studies and Discussion Michael Maricic, MD
4:50-5:10		Closing Remarks Alan Brown, MD

Faculty:
John J. Cush, MD
Director of Clinical Rheumatology
Baylor Research Institute
Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, TX

Gary Gilkeson, MD
Professor and Vice Chair for Research
Department of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Staff Physician, Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
Charleston, SC

Michael Maricic, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Arizona

Catalina Pointe Arthritis and Rheumatology Specialists, PC
Tucson, AZ

Yvonne Sherrer, MD
Medical Director/Director of Clinical Research
Center for Rheumatology, Immunology and Arthritis
Fort Lauderdale, FL

John H. Stone, MD, MPH
Clinical Director of Rheumatology
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA

Alvin Wells, MD, PhD
Rheumatology & Immunotherapy Center
Clinical Assistant Professor
Rosalind Frankly University of Medicine and Science
Chicago, IL

Course Director:
Alan Brown, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology

Vice Chairman for Education
Department of Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Activity Director: Michelle Frisch, MPH

*Continuing Education Information
This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 6.75 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and the National Association for Continuing Education. The University of Massachusetts Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Massachusetts Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 7.0 AMA PRA Category I Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Under the auspices of the University of Massachusetts Medical School Office of Continuing Education this offering meets the requirements for 8.1 contact hours, as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244-CMR 5.04). Each nurse should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spend in the educational activity.

Policy on Faculty and Provider Disclosure: It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts Medical School to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all activities. All faculty participating in CME activities sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Medical School are required to present evidence-based data, identify and reference off-label product use and disclose all relevant financial relationships with those supporting the activity or others whose products or services are discussed. Faculty disclosure will be provided in the activity materials.

This activity is supported by educational donations provided by: Abbott, Amgen and Wyeth pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centocor, Genentech, Pfizer, P&G, sanofi-aventis, and UCB.