Pain Management and Rheumatology for Primary Care

Pain Management and Rheumatology for Primary Care – 12 Credits

Overview
This conference is designed to provide primary care clinicians with up-to-date, evidence-based information on commonly encountered issues in Pain Management and Rheumatology for Primary Care, while suggesting pragmatic approaches to clinical management. The discussion-based format of the conference will encourage audience participation through dynamic lectures, case-based studies, and hands-on workshops. Keynote speakers will present and critically assess recent advancements and industry updates in Pain Management and Rheumatology with the goal of enhancing the knowledge-base and core competence of attendees. The successful completion of this interactive program diagnosing, treating, and prescribing the most effective courses of treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

Target Audience
All Physicians and other Healthcare Professionals seeking clinical information and updates in Pain Management and Rheumatology.

Speakers
Our presenting national faculty speakers make it their professional goals to enhance the training of primary care clinicians. This Continuing Medical Education program promises to help you learn the most current, best medicine, and techniques for making the diagnosis easier and quicker during a 20-minute office visit.

Topics and Objectives

Pain Management

Osteoarthritis Update – Including Assessment of Shoulder and Hip Pain Disorders
Objectives: 1) Become familiar with the evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of OA and the role of the central nervous system 2) Review pharmacologic agents used in treating OA, including NSAIDs, topical analgesics, and opioids 3) Learn physical exam tests to improve a clinician’s ability to diagnose common shoulder, hip, and knee conditions for both in office visits and telehealth services

Physical Exam for Low Back Pain: A Hands-On Approach
Objectives: 1) Discuss how a number of structures in the lumbar spine may serve as pain generators, including disc, facet joint, myofascial, and ligamentous structures 2) Review basic physical exam techniques used for assessing spine-related pain conditions 3) Differentiate lumbar radiculopathy signs and symptoms from other causes of low back pain, including facet-mediated, soft tissue, and sacroiliac joint pain

Update on Pathophysiology of Pain and Review of Multidisciplinary Approaches in the Management of Fibromyalgia
Objectives: 1) Review mechanisms of pain perception, including peripheral and central changes and how they serve as targets for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for pain management 2) Describe recent genetic, biochemical, and imaging evidence supporting the etiology of fibromyalgia 3) Become familiar with the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, including the updated 2010 version

Rational Polypharmacy for Chronic Pain Management
Objectives: 1) Apply an updated pathophysiologic understanding to targeting and treating pain 2) Understand mechanisms of action of the various muscle relaxers and anticonvulsants commonly used to treat various chronic pain states 3) Use case examples to better understand titration and adjustment of adjuvant analgesics

Update on Opioid Pharmacology, Risk Management Strategies, and Applying the CDC Guidelines in Primary Care
Objectives: 1) Highlight pharmacologic differences between various opioid products used for chronic pain management 2) Describe risk factors that may help to predict problematic opioid use, including addiction and misuse 3) Review the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and how it can be applied to managing patients in pain, including tapering 4) Understand and utilize urine drug monitoring (UDM) and prescription monitoring programs (PDMPs), as a means of more comprehensive monitoring of patients that may require opioid analgesics as part of a pain management regimen

Behavioral Health and Physical Therapy Approach for Managing Pain: A Case-Based Approach
Objectives: 1) Highlight general principles and goals of treatment related to cognitive behavioral therapy2) Understand physical therapy approaches to low back pain, including stabilization exercises, massage, and the McKenzie Method 3) Become familiar with common biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques used to help patients manage chronic pain

Rheumatology

Crystal Arthritis
Objectives: 1) Determine the epidemiology of gout and pseudogout 2) Demonstrate the clinical and laboratory features of gout and pseudogout 3) Distinguish crystal arthritis from septic arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Objectives: 1) Describe the etiology and pathogenesis of RA and how this information relates to the treatment of RA 2) Illustrate the clinical features of RA and the effects of chronic inflammation and consequences on overall health, including increased mortality 3) Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of current and emerging therapies for RA and their use

Osteoarthritis
Objectives: 1) Employ the history and physical exam to make an accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis 2) Differentiate osteoarthritis (structural) from rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory) 3) Recommend and prescribe nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies for patients with osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology recommendations

Laboratory Studies in Rheumatology
Objectives: 1) Order and interpret serological studies in patients with rheumatic diseases, while understanding their limitations 2) Recognize the limitations of various assay methods as it relates to interpreting the results

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Objectives: 1) Determine the clinical features of SLE, and the order and interpretation of laboratory tests useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with SLE in accordance with ACR guidelines 2) Recommend treatment for patients with SLE according to EULAR recommendations and evidence-based results from clinical studies

Approach to the Patient with Rheumatic Disease
Objectives: 1) Distinguish inflammatory and structural arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis versus osteoarthritis) 2) Differentiate patterns of articular involvement associated with different arthritides 3) Utilize laboratory and radiological studies in the evaluation of patients with rheumatic diseases

Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Objectives: 1) Demonstrate the differential diagnosis of a patient with an elevated CK and muscle symptoms, including drug-induced myopathy 2) Evaluate a patient with an elevated CK 3) Prescribe treatment for patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Note: Content is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the activity website for the most current information.