From the Clinical Knowledge Center

The Invisible Foe: Challenges in the Treatment and Management of Chronic Pain

When we think of “pain”, we typically think of a cause (e.g., pain from surgery, pain from a sports injury or broken bone, or pain from a headache or migraine). Friends and family, society at large, and the medical community respond with sympathy and action to pain that has “a reason”. But how do you explain pain for which there is no cause…

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Compass Questions™

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Responses from Last Compass Questions™

In the 09.08.09 issue of Clinical Compass™, we asked three questions.

Question #1 was "Have you ever lost a patient/client to suicide?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
60.2% - Yes
39.8% - No

Question #2 was "What resources does your community utilize to screen for suicide?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
43.5% - General screening questionnaires
19.4% - General suicide education
8.1% - Peer support programs
29.0% - None that I am aware of

Question #3 was "How confident are you in recognizing risk factors for suicide?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
22.6% - Very confident
53.2% - Confident
22.6% - Somewhat confident
1.6% - Not confident

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New Sleep-Wake neuroscienceCME Snack Series!

Complex Presentations of Sleep-Wake Dysfunction: Case Challenges

CME Outfitters is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a new online learning format at neuroscienceCME.com: neuroscienceCME Snacks. The first series of neuroscienceCME Snacks, on the topic of management and treatment of sleep-wake disorders, was launched on August 31, 2009. Each of the seven available CME Snacks is a standalone CME activity offering between 0.25 and 0.50 credit hours.

neuroscienceCME Snacks are short webcasts designed to emphasize one key learning point for the clinician to apply to practice that day. This instructional format allows physicians to take advantage of educational information with a minimum time requirement. Several more CME Snacks will be made available later in 2009, in addition to the seven available now.

There is no fee to participate or receive CME credit for this series (free account activation required).

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Statement of Need
Sleep disorders and accompanying symptoms of excessive sleepiness not only negatively impact daily functioning, cognitive performance, personal relationships, quality of life, and mood, but also pose a danger to public safety when drowsy drivers get behind the wheel of an automobile…

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Learning Objectives
At the end of each CME activity, participants should be able to:

• Part 1: Recognize the medical and sleep-related consequences of obstructive sleep apnea.
• Part 2: Implement strategies differentiate and manage co-existing sleep-wake disturbances.
• Part 3: Implement treatment strategies to address symptoms of excessive sleepiness related to jet lag disorder.
• Part 4: Implement treatment strategies to address the impact of circadian rhythm misalignment due to shift work sleep disorder.
• Part 5: Apply a validated screening tool to improve diagnosis of sleep disorders in patients with a history of depression.
• Part 6: Recognize the bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders and their treatment.
• Part 7: Develop a multimodal management strategy to address excessive sleepiness due to shift work sleep disorder.

Credit Information
This series offers CME credit for Physicians
(ACCME/AMA PRA Category 1)

All other clinicians will receive a CME Attendance Certificate.

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New neuroscienceCME
Live and On Demand
Premieres October 28, 2009!

Bipolar Mania: Improving Recognition, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Evidence-Based Treatment

Premiere Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Live Broadcast: 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET
"After the Show" live Q&A webcast: 1:02 p.m. ET
Taped Re-Air: 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET

Statement of Need
A cardinal feature of bipolar disorder is the irregular recurrence of alternating abnormal mood states including depression, mania, and mixed states. Mania is frequently revealed retrospectively; patients are often not accurate in their recall of the severity and duration of symptoms, which can add further complexity to diagnosis…

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Activity Goal
To improve competencies of clinicians managing patients with bipolar mania through better assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorder.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:

• Integrate expert consensus, evidence base, structured interview, and assessment tools to accurately diagnose bipolar mania.
• Compare and contrast available agents for the acute management of bipolar mania in terms of efficacy and tolerability.
• Utilize guideline-based recommendations to develop individualized, multimodal treatment plans for the long-term management of patients with bipolar mania.

Credit Information
This activity offers CE credit for:

• Physicians (ACCME/AMA PRA Category 1)
• Nurses (CNE)
• Pharmacists (ACPE)
• Psychologists (APA)
• Social Workers (NASW)
• Certified Case Managers (CCMC)

All other clinicians will either receive a CME Attendance Certificate or may choose any of the types of CE credit being offered.

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