No Patient Left Behind: Building the Case for Early RA Therapy

Medium: Webcast On-Demand
Accreditation Expired

Credit Hours

Physician CME: 1.25
Physician Assistants Hours: 1.25

Activity Overview

This online activity is based on the proceedings of a continuing education symposium held on April 7, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and its simulcast. This educational activity consists of two learning modules—Scientific Evidence and Case Study.

Scientific Evidence has presentations by Dr. Massarrotti and Dr. Schiff. Dr. Massarotti discusses means to halt disease progression and presents evidence supporting the benefits of the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis, including undifferentiated arthritis. This leads into Dr. Schiff’s presentation in which he addresses the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis and discusses the recommendations regarding the use of DMARDs and biologic therapies.

Case Study learning module is designed to apply scientific evidence in practice setting. Dr. Massarrotti and Dr. Schiff present 2 case studies and ask questions. Please take a moment to think about what you would do. Dr. Massarrotti and Dr. Schiff discuss the scientific evidence that you should consider in order to make your choice.

Note: If you have received credit by attending the live symposium or simulcast by the same name, you are not eligible to apply for credit for this online version.

Educational Overview

There has been remarkable progress in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), related in part to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. The development of several effective and safe novel therapeutic options has contributed to a shift in the treatment paradigm that now focuses on early and aggressive management supported by increasing evidence of the clinical and radiographic benefits of initiating DMARD treatment early in the course of the disease. These benefits include a reduction in the risk of associated comorbidities, in particular cardiovascular disease. Clinical remission has become an attainable goal and improved patient quality of life is now an expected outcome. All these developments have made “no patient left behind” a definite possibility.

Against this backdrop, healthcare professionals caring for patients with early RA need to be armed with the latest knowledge about ways in which to individualize therapy to achieve patient-specific goals.

Target Audience

This educational activity has been developed for rheumatologists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals including physician assistants responsible for the management of patients with early RA.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this activity is to educate rheumatologists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals involved in the management of RA patients on the benefits of aggressive, early RA therapy and patient-centered management to achieve customized goals. With this knowledge, healthcare professionals will be able to tailor therapy to meet patient-specific goals making “no patient left behind” a reality.

Learning Objectives

After completing this educational activity, learners should be able to:

  1. Recognize the benefits of pharmacotherapy for early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including undifferentiated arthritis
  2. Compare the safety and efficacy of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic agents for the treatment of RA
  3. Customize management strategies for early RA patients with comorbidities

Faculty

Elena M Massarotti, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Co-Director, Center for Clinical Therapeutics
Division of Rheumatology
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Boston, MA

Michael H Schiff, MD

Clinical Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology Division
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Denver, CO

Accreditation

Physicians

Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint sponsorship of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation: Center designates for this activity a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants

American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 1.25 hours of Category I credit for completing this activity.

For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact Center at info@jointsponsor.com.

Method of Participation and Instructions for Credit

  1. Review the entire CME information including target audience, learning objectives, and disclosures.
  2. Review the two learning modules in their entirety.
  3. Print and complete the Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form.
  4. Mail the completed Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form to Vemco MedEd, 245 US Highway 22, Suite 304, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Or Fax to (908) 450-3300.

Documentation of credit will be mailed within 4 weeks of receipt of the completed Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form.

Note: If you have received credit by attending the live symposium or simulcast by the same name, you are not eligible to apply for credit for this online version.

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

Center for Independent Healthcare Education requires faculty, planners, and others who are in a position to control the content of continuing education activities to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. All identified conflicts of interest are reviewed to ensure fair balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all activities. The faculty is further required to disclose discussion of off-label uses in their presentations.

Disclosures

Faculty

Michael H Schiff, MD

Advisor/consultant: Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, UCB, Novartis, Bayer, Roche, and Array BioPharma
Promotional speaker’s bureau: Abbott

Elena M. Massarotti, MD

Grant/research support: UCB, Genentech, and EMD Serono
Advisor/consultant: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, UCB, Genentech, and EMD Serono

Planning Committee Members

Employees of Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Off-Label Use

During this activity, the following off-label uses of the following antirheumatic agents will be discussed: infliximab (for treatment of undifferentiated arthritis), abatacept (for treatment of undifferentiated arthritis), and tocilizumab (for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis).

Joint Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd.

Commercial Support

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Fee

There is no fee to participate in this educational activity.

Hardware/Software Requirements

Software

Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
Note: Please disable any “pop-up blocker” features.

Adobe® Flash® Player to view the presentations (If you do not have Adobe® Flash® Player, you can download it for free from Adobe.com)
Adobe® Reader version 4 or above to view PDF files (If you do not have Adobe® Reader, you can download it for free from Adobe.com)

Connection Speed

Cable, DSL, or better of at least 300 Kbps

Hardware

PC or Macintosh to view the presentations
Audio Speakers

System Check

Please e-mail any questions or concerns to info@jointsponsor.com.

Copyright Statement

Copyright © 2009 Vemco MedEd, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Permission for accreditation use granted to Center for Independent Healthcare Education.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not reflect the views of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. This educational activity may discuss off-label and/or investigational uses and dosages for therapeutic products/procedures that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Center and Vemco MedEd do not recommend the use of any product/procedure outside of the labeled indications. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product/procedure discussed. Learners should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product/procedure for approved indication, contraindications, and warnings.

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Contact Information

For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact Center for Independent Healthcare Education at info@jointsponsor.com

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