Evidence-Based Update for NPs and PAs in the Diagnosis and Management of Multiple Sclerosis

On-Demand Video Webcsat

Sponsored by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC

Presenters

Howard L. Zwibel, MD
Medical Director
Multiple Sclerosis Center
Baptist Health Doctors’ Hospital
Coral Gables, Florida

Kathleen M. Costello, RN, MS, CRNP, MSCN
Multiple Sclerosis Program Director
Maryland Center for Multiple Sclerosis
University of Maryland Medical Center
Baltimore, Maryland

Target Audience

This activity is designed for nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Implement effective multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in clinical practice through patient history, magnetic resonance imaging, and revised McDonald Diagnostic Criteria
• Describe the stages of MS and associated disabilities, including implications of disease progression in clinically isolated syndromes
• Use practical medication management strategies for MS, including long-term treatment of patients with suboptimal response and medication adverse effects
• Incorporate patient education in clinical practice to promote medication adherence and persistent therapy

Activity Overview

This on-demand video webcast is available with synchronized slides, audio, and video.

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must participate in the full activity, complete the 10-question online post-test with a score of 70% or better, and complete the evaluation form. After successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form online at www.naccme.com, participants may immediately print their documentation of credit.

There is no fee associated with this activity.

Participants who have successfully completed the live version of this activity are not eligible to receive credit for this enduring material.

Release Date: March 27, 2009

Expiration Date: March 27, 2010  

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

For questions regarding this educational activity, please contact Angela Scarnici at 609-371-1137.

Hardware/Software Requirements

All educational activities are accessible via a computer with 650 MHz PC, 128 MB RAM, Windows or MAC operating system, Internet Explorer, Netscape or Safari browsers. Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers are required for streamed audio. Flash Player, sound card, and speakers are required for video programs. A PDF reader is required for print publications. Please direct technical questions to webmaster@naccme.com.

CME Accreditation (Accepted for Physician Assistants)

North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC (NACCME) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

NACCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

AANP Accreditation

This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hours of continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Program ID 0812582.

Independent Clinical Reviewer

Darin T. Okuda, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology, UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center, San Francisco, California

International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) has reviewed this project that was developed by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education as a resource for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. IOMSN has concluded that this project is fair balanced and accurate and is valid for educational purposes.

Planning Committee

The planning committee comprises Kathleen M. Costello, RN, MS, CRNP, MSCN, Darin T. Okuda, MD, and Howard L. Zwibel, MD; and Kristin Dickie, Mary Johnson, John Savage, and Randy Robbin, NACCME.

Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest  

According to the disclosure policy of NACCME, faculty, editors, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of NACCME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation.

All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

The faculty has reported the following:

Ms. Costello: Consultant—Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Inc, Teva Neuroscience; Promotional speakers bureau—Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Inc
Dr. Okuda: Consultant—EMD Serono, Inc
Dr. Zwibel: Grant/research support—Teva Neuroscience; Consultant—Bayer, Teva Neuroscience; Promotional speakers bureau—Teva Neuroscience

Ms. Dickie, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Robbin, and Mr. Savage have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest.

NACCME requires faculty to inform participants whenever off-label/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices are discussed in their presentations.

The faculty has disclosed that no off-label/unapproved use(s) of drugs and/or devices will be discussed.

Privacy Policy

NACCME protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

NACCME maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Copyright © 2009 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.

Grant Support

Supported by an educational grant from Teva Neuroscience