Geriatrics CME Review Course

Boning up on Osteoporosis  Judith Walsh, M.D., M.P.H. and Marcia G. Ko, M.D.  Differentiate women with osteopenia from those with osteoporosis, and identify primary risk factors for osteoporosis.   Discuss modalities for screening bone mineral density, and review guidelines about candidates for and frequency of screening.  Prescribe the appropriate therapy for women with osteoporosis.  Identify patients at risk for vitamin D deficiency.  Prescribe vitamin D for appropriate patients.

Optimizing Health and Hearing of Aging Patients  Ron Rothenberg, M.D. and David A. Geddes, AuD, C.C.C.–A.  Describe the anti-inflammatory effects of diet, exercise, and nutrition.  Discuss benefits of hormone replacement therapy, based on current data.  List therapeutic uses of stem cells.  Recognize unique challenges and needs of baby boomers in the management of hearing loss.  Counsel patients on prevention of hearing loss. 

Stroke Management  Joseph R. Lex, Jr. M.D. and Chad Miller, M.D.  Review the results of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) trial.  Evaluate the inclusion and exclusion criteria for use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in stroke.  Discuss informed consent for use of tPA in stroke and required documentation in patient’s medical record whether tPA used or not.  Identify when intra-arterial administration of tPA is appropriate.  Describe the devices used for mechanical clot disruption. 

Issues Concerning the Elderly  Bruce E. Beacham, M.D., Michael Ankrom, M.D., M.H.S. and Carlos O. Weiss, M.D., M.H.S.  Select appropriate treatment for actinic keratoses and pruritus.  Determine causes of drug eruptions, based on clinical findings and drug history.  List challenges and rewards associated with caregiving.  Distinguish active problem-solving approaches from passive approaches.  Identify red flags and counsel older patients about driving safety.

Common Medical Issues in the Elderly:  Assissing Current Care Options  William B. Greenough III, M.D. and John Burton, M.D.  Name the factors to be considered when prescribing antibiotics to people older than 50 yr of age.   Explain why multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is spreading so rapidly.  Describe strategies for preventing the spread of infectious disease among hospitalized elderly patients.  List the most common types of urinary incontinence.   Instruct patients in behavioral methods for managing incontinence, including maintenance of a voiding diary, prompted voiding, bladder retraining, and pelvic floor exercises. 

Stroke Update  Ralph L. Sacco, M.D. and Barry Stults, M.D.  Discuss the relative risks for adverse outcomes after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).  Detail the risk factors for stroke recurrence and the secondary prevention strategies for managing those risk factors.  Identify patients likely to benefit from anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet therapy, carotid endarterectomy, or angioplasty and stenting after stroke or TIA.  Assess appropriateness of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, based on age, sex, and medical comorbidities.  Educate patients about the risks and benefits associated with low-dose aspirin therapy.

Issues in Bone Health  Rose C. Christian, M.D. and Veronica Piziak, M.D.  Counsel patients about adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.  Discuss the relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone mineral density (BMD).  Recognize and treat patients at risk for secondary HPTH.  Identify appropriate candidates for BMD testing.  Diagnose and treat patients at risk for fractures due to reduced BMD and/or osteoporosis.

When Mind and Body Fail:  Coping with Complex Neurologic Diseases  Michelle S. Eslami, M.D. and James Boyd, M.D.   Distinguish dementia from normal aging.  Describe effects of medications used in AD, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and antipsychotic drugs.  Counsel patients, family, and caregivers about management of behavioral complications of AD.  Detail the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with parkinsonian features.  Compare and contrast Parkinson disease with the atypical parkinsonian syndromes in terms of presentation, progression, and management.

Geriatric Dilemmas  Michael D. McGonigal, M.D., Suzanne K. Goetschius, M.S.N., A.P.R.N. and Chrystian Pereira, PharmD.   List risk factors for falls in the elderly.  Outline an effective fall-prevention program.  Counsel adult children with aging parents about developing a caregiving plan.  Address concerns of caregiving, such as personal needs, housing, and financing.  Define polypharmacy and assess medication compliance.

Treatment of Older Adults  Julie Loebach Wetherell, P.h.D. and Steven R. Thorp, P.h.D.  Identify anxiety disorders in older adults.  Compare pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy as treatment options for anxiety disorders in older adults.  Cite barriers to the mental health treatment of older adults.  Discuss the characteristics and hallmarks of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and describe common tech niques used in CBT.  Summarize the empirically supported treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Possible Additional Course Available

If you have taken the current course listed here or if you need additional Geriatric credits, please call 800-446-5599 and ask about new courses in stock that are not listed on the website.