Beyond the Headache: Leveraging the Criteria and Evidence-Based Acute Therapies to Improve Migraine Diagnosis and Referral Pathways in the Emergency Department
Released On
August 1, 2025
Expires On
August 1, 2026
Media Type
Internet
Completion Time
30 minutes
Specialty
Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Primary Care
Topic(s)
Migraines
This activity is supported in part by an independent education grant from Pfizer.
Credit Available
- Physicians — maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- Nurses — 0.5 Nursing Contact Hour
All other healthcare professionals completing this course will be issued a statement of participation.
Target Audience
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of emergency department healthcare professionals (HCPs), including physicians, nurses, and allied health providers, who are directly involved in the diagnosis and management of migraine patients.
Program Overview
This activity will cover practical tools to recognize, treat, and appropriately refer migraine patients. Focused on real-world EM challenges, the program will emphasize: (1) rapid diagnosis using validated tools like ID Migraine™, (2) evidence-based acute treatment selection (including NSAIDs, antiemetics, triptans, and gepants), and (3) streamlined referral pathways to primary care or neurology when needed. This session is tailored to the fast-paced workflows of EM providers. By focusing on immediately applicable strategies over theoretical frameworks, the program equips clinicians with the tools they need to improve patient outcomes in the ED setting.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Apply ICHD-3 Criteria: Accurately diagnose migraines in the ED using the ICHD-3 criteria, distinguishing migraines from other headache disorders.
- Implement Evidence-Based Therapies: Select and administer evidence-based acute therapies for migraine management in the ED, improving patient outcomes.
- Optimize Referral Pathways: Develop and implement effective referral pathways for patients requiring specialized migraine care, ensuring continuity of care beyond the ED.
- Enhance Patient Communication: Improve communication with migraine patients in the ED, fostering a supportive environment that addresses their acute needs and long-term care goals.
Faculty
Dr. Larry Charleston IV
Neurologist
Founder & Chief Consultant, Charleston Health Neurology & Head Pain Consultants
Pinckney, MI
Accreditation Statement
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Physician Continuing Medical Education
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the enduring activity.
Continuing Nursing Education
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 0.5 contact hours.
Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Statement
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 0.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest
- Larry Charleston IV, MD, MSc, FAHS, FANA
- Consutling fees: AbbVie, Amgen, Amneal, Aurene, Haleon, LinPharma, Lundbeck, Pfizer, and Satsuma.
- Grant funding: Amgen.
- Stock ownership: Mi-Helper Inc.
- Speakers Bureau: Axsome Therapeutics.
Instructions for Participation and Credit
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this enduring activity. To receive CME credit participants must:
- Read the CME/CE information and faculty disclosures.
- Participate in the online activity.
- Submit the evaluation form.
Certificates will be emailed to the participant.
Course Viewing Requirements
Hardware/Software Requirements
This certified CME activity is designed using HTML5 web components. As you navigate the video using the supplied controls, the slides will sync to the speaker.
Supported Browsers
Internet Explorer 8.0+ for Windows 2003, Vista, XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and above
Google Chrome 28.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux
Mozilla Firefox 23.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux
Safari 6.0+ for Mac OSX 10.7 and above
Supported Phones & Tablets
Android 4.0.3 and above
iPhone/iPad with iOS 6.1 or above
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine requires that faculty participating in any CME activity disclose to the audience when discussing any unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved for use in the United States.
Disclaimer
This activity is designed for educational purposes. Participants have a responsibility to utilize this information to enhance their professional development to improve patient outcomes. Conclusions drawn by the participants should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information. The participant should use his/her clinical judgment, knowledge, experience, and diagnostic decision-making before applying any information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.
Contact Information
For CME questions please contact: [email protected].