This interactive, case-based, online activity is designed to meet the educational needs of medical and surgical transplant physicians, nurses, pharmacists, coordinators, case managers, and social workers who manage patients with solid organ transplants.

A unique component of the program will allow you to gain a better understanding of patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives by comparing your responses to the same survey questions that were posed to a representative sample of transplant recipients and/or their caregivers. This innovative activity is designed to highlight areas of common understanding or opportunities for improved patient-provider communication.

In this program, we will discuss a number of issues that are important to primary care clinicians who manage patients at risk for, or who have recently become infected with HIV. The program will review epidemiologic and statistical prevalence data on HIV in the United States, the rationale for current efforts to expand screening, and methods to improve the primary care provider’s ability to diagnose this disease early in its course. We will also discuss the available types of HIV tests, some of the barriers to optimizing HIV testing, and strategies to overcome these barriers. In addition, we will review the latest evidence-based recommendations for managing HIV in treatment-naive patients. Finally, we will discuss how primary care providers can confidently integrate HIV management into their clinical practice.

The Print-to-Practice program is intended to focus on recently published, peer-reviewed literature, which will be summarized and critically evaluated by experts in the management of HIV infection. In particular, this program will focus on current guidelines concerning HIV testing and the important need for early diagnosis of this disease. Additionally, barriers to testing and treatment in the field, as well as evidence-based recommendations for HIV management will be assessed in the context of the, contemporary primary care practice. A discussion on what health care providers who manage HIV can reasonably accomplish during a typical office visit will also be included.

Medical professionals who assess, treat and/or counsel cancer patients need to be able to assess and discuss new clinical data and recommendations related to the use of bone-targeted therapies to treat and prevent bone metastasis and prevent bone loss related to cancer treatment, and integrate this information into their own practice.

This interactive, case-based, online activity is designed to meet the educational needs of hospitalists, orthopedic surgeons, hematologists, intensivists, internists, family physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals who treat patients with or at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). A unique component of the program will allow you to gain a better understanding of patients’ perspectives by comparing your responses to the same survey questions that were posed to a representative sample of patients who experienced a VTE or who are at risk to suffer a venous thromboembolic event. This innovative activity is designed to highlight areas of common understanding or opportunities for improved patient-provider communication.

This Continuing Medical Education Program makes it easy to learn how non-conventional MRI techniques provide evidence for remyelination and CNS regeneration in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Results of important recent clinical studies of first-line EGFR TKI therapies, antibodies combined with chemotherapy, consolidation and up-front supportive care are creating the potential to change the paradigm for what constitutes appropriate first-line care for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Medical professionals who work with lung cancer patients need to understand the results of these new studies, assess their implications for the management of NSCLC, and integrate this information into their practice of assessing, counseling and treating individual patients.

• Novel Agents in the Treatment of Lung Cancer: New Approaches to First-Line Therapy
• Lung Cancer: CASE STUDIES Assessing Novel Agents in First-Line Therapy

This educational activity will provide the clinician with a better understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of the development of factor VIII inhibitors, the tools to accurately diagnose acquired hemophilia (AH), and the knowledge to apply treatment protocols to improve the outcome of patients with AH.

This educational activity will review the pathophysiology and criteria for the diagnosis of gout. Current therapeutic options for treatment and prevention of acute attacks, and long-term management of hyperuricemia will be discussed.

This webcast will discuss recent changes in the epidemiology of IFIs and available methods for their identification in patients with AML. Current and emerging approaches to the treatment of IFIs will be explored. Additionally, the webcast will include a debate by program faculty on important issues associated with AML-related IFIs.

The ultimate goal of this educational program is the clinical application of program content to improve outcomes for patients being treated for AML.

During the coming decades, the United States population age 65 years and older will increase rapidly from 40.2 million in 2010 to 71.5 million by 2030. Thus, as the “baby boom” generation ages into retirement and enjoys ever-longer life expectancy, more and more Americans will require treatment for chronic conditions. Both physicians and nurses acknowledge that their training is inadequate for providing chronic care and that poor chronic care leads to poor outcomes and unnecessary hospitalizations. This continuing nursing/physician educational series incorporates the comprehensive evaluation of vulnerable patients with key topics geared to a broad audience of nurses, physicians, and other health care providers interested in the challenges of applying evidence-based guidelines to this ever-growing, at risk population.

Topic Options:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
• Osteoarthritis
• Urinary Incontinence

Latest Developments in the Use of Biologics in the Treatment of Psoriasis is 3 certified, sixty-minute programs covering current and new treatment modalities for Psoriasis along with the impact on daily practice of new data released at key dermatology meetings and conferences in 2009.

The program includes a studio-based panel of experts from leading medical centers, breaking news from our medical reporter Erin Carey and prerecorded interviews with investigators attending industry events.

The transplantation of solid organs is one of the most complex medical endeavors and a common lifesaving therapy for those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), liver failure, heart disease, lung, and pancreatic failure. Among patients undergoing solid organ transplantation, CMV is the single most important pathogen that affects the outcome of the procedure as detected by plasma igG outcomes, prevention of CMV infection is a key component of solid organ transplant care.

Two strategies are used to prevent CMV infection: antiviral prophylaxis and preemptive treatment. Each of these strategies has inherent advantages and limitations and there is widespread controversy as to the best method for prevention of CMV in solid organ transplant patients. In addition, there are challenges associated with the diagnosis of CMV as well as the ideal prevention strategy and therapeutic agent.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Until recently, chemotherapy with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI was the mainstay of treatment. However, in the past years, the addition of new biologic agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGR) in combination with various chemotherapy regimens has significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with this disease. Welcome as these developments are, understanding the new regimens, evaluating ever-increasing clinical data, and incorporating new advances into existing therapeutic strategies, requires considerable time and effort on the part of clinicians if they are to be able to offer their patients the best therapy available.

The purpose of this activity is to provide education on the latest advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

This program will evaluate contemporary methods that integrate targeted therapies into the treatment of patients with CRC. The current application of molecular markers in the management of metastatic disease will also be demonstrated. The goal of this program is to present case examples that are applicable to providing individualized care for patients with CRC.

The purpose of this activity is to educate those who care for solid organ transplant patients on the evolving body of research and progress in the pathophysiology of CMV infection, the spectrum of disease that it may produce, and diagnostic and treatment strategies

Expert faculty will review the latest clinical advances in the treatment of cancer, query participants on optimal treatment strategies, and discuss methods for integrating findings into clinical practice. Programs Include: Interactive slide presentations with downloadable slides.

Topics include:

• Overcoming Treatment Challenges in Sarcoma
• Experts Review of Breast Cancer Treatment – Clinical Application of Evolving Treatment Paradigms
• Hormonally Sensitive, Early-stage Breast Cancer: Current Considerations and New Directions
• Tubulin Inhibition in Breast Cancer: A therapeutic Target Critical to Improving Outcomes
• Emerging Options for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Current Practices & Emerging Therapeutics in the Management of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
• Advances in Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma – Evolving Role of mTOR Inhibitors

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 271,530 cancer-related deaths among women during 2008. Of the various types of cancer, breast cancer is the second most fatal and accounts for 15% or 40,480 deaths among women and an additional 450 deaths among men. Further, it is estimated that nearly 155,000 women in the US are currently living with advanced breast cancer and this number is projected to increase to nearly 162,000 by the year 2011.

Recent advances and regimens in advanced breast cancer therapy are being actively investigated for their ability to improve patients' clinical outcomes. These include the development of novel targeted therapies and the use of combination regimens that incorporate novel cytotoxic or biologic agents. These advances are likely to be of particular interest to practicing oncologists in the management and treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer and present important learning opportunities for these clinicians.

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The use of blood transfusions in medicine is so firmly entrenched that the procedure is considered routine in the hospital setting, with more than 14 million units of blood transfused in the United States annually. Although the likelihood of transmission of infectious agents has been drastically reduced over the years, the transfusion of red blood cells has been associated with immune modulation, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), as well as deleterious effects such as renal failure, red-cell storage effects, and hemolytic reactions. A recent international consensus conference committee on transfusion and outcomes concluded that there is little evidence to support a beneficial effect from the majority of current transfusions. The development of blood management protocols has evolved over the last two decades in an effort to apply an evidence-based approach to the management of this limited resource. Alternative methods to restore adequate tissue oxygenation in hospitalized patients have been developed in settings that include the emergency room and the operating room. This program will review clinical data that address the use of packed red cells in the acute care setting and alternative pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies that may help avoid the use of blood transfusion. Information that will assist in the development of a blood management program to advance the quality of patient care will be provided.

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This CME program will be divided into 6 Modules:

• Module 1 will focus on the requirements for establishing a MRI quantification unit in an academic or private practice setting, for patients with MS.
• Module 2 will focus on the requirements for quantification of LV on T2-WI.
• Module 3 will focus on the requirements for quantification on T1-WI.
• Module 4 will focus on the requirements for quantification of whole brain atrophy.
• Module 5 will focus on the requirements for quantification on MTI.
• Module 6 will focus on the requirements for quantification on MRS.

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MRI techniques developed over the last two decades differ in their utility to predict clinical status in multiple sclerosis (MS). Gd-enhancing T1 and T2 lesions have limited value due to poor sensitivity and specificity for underlying pathophysiologic process. The use of high-field imaging protocols may increase sensitivity in detecting lesions and help identify pathology invisible on 1.5 T protocols. The pathology visualized with these new protocols is an important goal of MRI research. It is important for physicians and healthcare professionals who treat MS patients to be aware of new MRI protocols and research and the relevance to MS patient care.

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The introduction of targeted therapy over the past decade has transformed the outlook for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Imatinib as front-line therapy in patients with chronic phase CML has shown excellent results at 7 years in the IRIS trial. However, patients need to be closely monitored for molecular and cytogenetic responses at specific time points. Assessment of response milestones is important for identifying patients who fit the criteria for suboptimal response or failure to imatinib. For these patients, dose optimization or switching to a newer tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) should be considered. Patients who are intolerant to imatinib despite adequate management of adverse events may also benefit from the newer TKIs. This educational activity will utilize a case-based approach to address scenarios that are commonly encountered by clinicians who treat patients with CML, from initiating treatment, to monitoring response, to switching therapy when necessary.

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This educational program will provide an understanding of the underlying compensatory mechanisms involved in CKD –associated hyperphosphatemia in conjunction with learning more about how and when to safely and effectively control phosphorus levels. Additionally, this activity will highlight disparities in perception between the patient and the health care team regarding medication and chronic kidney disease that present as areas of opportunity for ongoing communication and education.

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The Patient or KNOW Patient Program opens with a series of trivia based questions for the participant that are based on actual patient survey responses. Upon answering the questions healthcare practitioners will gain access to the patients' actual responses, in order to compare and contrast the patient point of view versus their original perceptions. In addition the program consists of 3 separate case-study videos, each case study includes 15-20 minutes of interactive content. After reviewing background data and case-based information, participants prompted to answer multiple-choice questions about the case itself.

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This interactive, case-based, online activity will review the pathophysiology of anemia in CKD. Current treatment guidelines and interventional techniques to correct anemia will be discussed. In addition, a unique component of the program will allow you to gain a better understanding of patients’ perspectives by comparing your responses to the same survey questions that were posed to a representative sample of patients. This innovative activity is designed to highlight areas of common understanding or opportunities for improved patient-provider communication.

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Current guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) acknowledge allergy and IgE-mediated processes as major contributors to persistent asthma. These guidelines—the Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR-3)—outline specific recommendations for evaluating the potential role of allergy and IgE in patients with asthma. Nevertheless, many office-based pulmonologists underestimate the clinical relevance of these processes to asthma and do not routinely test or screen their asthma patients for allergies. This educational activity is designed to increase awareness among pulmonologists and their ancillary healthcare staff of the role of IgE-driven processes in asthma and instruct on ways to integrate pertinent EPR-3 guidelines into clinical practice, including implementing allergy testing and allergen avoidance measures for all patients with persistent asthma.

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Non-small cell lung cancer has long been treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for 4 to 6 cycles followed by a break, then second-line treatment upon progression. This CME activity presents new data and discussion of 3 case studies addressing two new approaches that challenge the current paradigm: (1) early second-line chemotherapy and (2) adding targeted antibodies to the chemotherapy followed by a maintenance antibody phase of treatment. Physicians need to be aware of these data and their implications for practice change, and be able to assess the use of early second-line treatment or combination plus maintenance therapy for individual patients.

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This interactive, case-based, online activity is designed to meet the educational needs of infectious disease specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians and other health care professionals who manage patients with HIV.

A unique component of the program will allow you to gain a better understanding of patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives by comparing your responses to the same survey questions that were posed to a representative sample of HIV patients and caregivers of HIV patients. This innovative activity is designed to highlight areas of common understanding or opportunities for improved patient-provider communication.

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Accurate staging information is essential for optimal patient management and the delivery of quality cancer care. This activity presents the key elements of stage determination and reporting for colorectal cancer, based on updated 2009 guidelines, and discusses the key prognostic features of pathological assessment of a colorectal resection specimen.

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This case-based webcast will describe current concepts of pathologic mechanisms known to underlie MBD in CKD. Strategies and novel approaches to manage MBD in the setting of nonhemodialysis CKD will be reviewed. Importantly, strategies that are keys to accurate documentation and coding by nephrologists when managing early stages of CKD will be described.

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Primary care practitioners (PCPs) are in a unique position to interact with their dementia patients over time and often throughout the course of their disease. Simple office-based strategies and evidence-based diagnostic methodologies will be provided enabling the PCPs to integrate dementia case findings, routine screening, and individualized treatment into their practices. The goal of treatment for dementia is to preserve function, maintain activities of daily living, delay cognitive decline, and reduce emergence of behavioral and psychological symptoms. Potential benefits and evidence-based significance of several approaches will be explored including, early and persistent pharmacological therapy, the use of combination therapy, treating vascular risk-factors, non-pharmacological interventions, and caregiver well-being.

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This activity will review the importance of prompt intervention, careful evaluation at treatment initation, and long-term surveillance of patients with RA. Recent trends in the management of RA will be introduced, strategies to promote a collaborative approach to managing RA will be discussed, and therapeutic options will be evaluated. In addition, the activity will address the role of biologic agents in the treatment of RA and discuss the impact of comorbidities on the overall care of the patient with RA.

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To improve communication between medical professionals and Crohn’s patients regarding their treatment options.

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Approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States have cystic fibrosis (CF) and the prevalence continues to increase as medical advances markedly improve survival. In 2005, the median age of survival was 37 years, which represents a more than two-fold increase over the expected survival of 15 years in 1970. Nearly 1000 new cases of CF are currently diagnosed each year. Although a cure for this genetic disease remains the long-term goal, preventing lung damage, as well as stabilizing and potentially improving pulmonary function are the immediate goals of respiratory therapy in patients with CF. The management of this progressive disease includes physiotherapy, antibiotics, therapies for controlling mucus hypersecretion, reducing inflammation in the lungs, and improving nutritional status.

The remarkable progress in CF treatment and patient outcomes over the past 35 years makes CF a model of quality improvement in health care. Research at multiple levels of pathophysiology, from the basic defect in the CF transmembrane regulator protein, to inflammation, and infection, as well as increased knowledge of nutrition, will continue to advance therapies for CF. The median survival of patients with CF is expected to extend beyond the current 37 years. This program will review the importance of preserving lung function and incorporating effective mucolytic therapy into standard treatments, with the hope of advancing and standardizing CF care and improving patient outcomes.

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For many individuals, ADHD is a lifelong condition that must be managed as a chronic illness. Health care practitioners who treat children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD would benefit from a review of the pathophysiology of ADHD and a discussion of how comorbid conditions complicate the differential diagnosis of ADHD. In light of the potential for abuse, misuse, and diversion of standard stimulates, as well as the issue of poor adherence associated with these treatments, this activity will describe the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and tolerability of long-acting stimulants, and the potential for these newer treatments to decrease the risk of abuse, misuse, and diversion, and improve adherence in patients with ADHD.

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Many diseases can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is an indication for kidney transplantation. Of all the primary causes, such as autoimmune, infectious, metabolic, or genetic diseases, diabetes is currently the most common cause of ESRD, accounting for approximately 25% of kidney transplantation. Despite the many advances since the first kidney transplant in the United States over 58 years ago, 3% to 5% of allografts are lost each year. The leading causes of organ loss are long-term allograft nephropathy and death with a functioning allograft. Although episodes of acute rejection have been substantially reduced, graft and recipient longevity have been adversely affected by chronic nephropathy and death due to cardiovascular (CV), infectious, or oncologic causes. The ultimate post-transplant goals for clinicians include judicious use of combination immunosuppressants to maintain the balance between host rejection and immune competency, as well as maximizing allograft longevity and minimizing the transplant recipient's CV risks.

In order to meet the educational needs of members of transplant teams, this activity will present treatment and management strategies to improve event-free survival for transplant recipients. In addition to prolonging graft function, the goal of minimizing CV risks will also be addressed.

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This online, interactive, case-based educational program addresses several clinical and socioeconomic issues that may confront the clinician involved in the treatment of patients with diabetes. The program presents 3 case studies: a patient with uncontrolled diabetes who cannot afford the needed medical care; a patient who fails to achieve his A1C goal with oral agents and is transitioning to insulin; and a patient whose therapy is based on latest American Diabetes Association/European Associates for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD) treatment algorithm. In addition, this program includes results of a patient survey that will provide participants with a patient perspective on living with diabetes.

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Non-small cell lung cancer represents approximately 80% of all lung cancers, with the majority of patients diagnosed at advanced stages of disease. Early detection and improvements in systemic therapies (and/or irradiation therapy in early stage disease) provide the best hopes for increased 5-year survival rates.

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TheraSim is an intuitive, online case simulation which gives clinicians an opportunity to refine their clinical knowledge and competence. Using a chart-based interface that simulates the clinic, clinicians review a patient's history and begin to manage the patient. During the simulation, learners are alerted when they make—or fail to make—appropriate clinical choices. Clinical evidence and assessments are provided to learners.

The activity consists of 3 cases. In each, clinicians progress through a series of tabs, assessing a patient's history, actively ordering labs/procedures, reviewing these findings, making diagnoses, prescribing treatments and calling for additional orders. Rules-based simulation allows learners nearly unlimited combinations.

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Arthritis in general is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and rheumatoid arthritis alone affects 2.1 million Americans, and accounts for 22% of all deaths related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. If not treated early, rheumatoid arthritis can damage cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone, and can lead to deformity and instability in the joints. This debilitating joint damage occurs very early, often within the first 2 years of the disease, which underscores how critical it is to treat the disease early and aggressively.

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