Internal Medicine CME Review Course

'Tis the Season:  Pneumonia/Influenza  Bradley A. Sharpe, M.D. and Sandro K. Cinti, M.D.  Predict and determine the microbiologic etiology of a patient’s community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).  Assess patients for potential drug resistance and provide appropriate therapy.  Distinguish between unique features of health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) and CAP.  Implement polices designed to increase preparedness for an influenza epidemic or pandemic.  Describe factors that alter virulence and mortality rates associated with specific influenza strains.

Declining and Altered Minds:  Delirium and Dementia  John W. Engstrom, M.D. and Susan M. Parks, M.D.  Assess whether patients are at high risk for delirium.  Distinguish delirium from overlapping neurologic pathologies.  Provide appropriate emergency care to patients presenting with altered mental status.  Counsel caregivers on how to best care for patients with dementia throughout all stages of the disease.  Recognize patients functioning as caregivers and provide appropriate support.

Cardiac Arrhythmias   David E. Krummen, M.D. and Daniel G. Blanchard, M.D.  Describe the challenges of choosing among antiarrhythmic agents for bradycardia and tachycardia, based on rate, mechanism, and location.  Explain the differences between the 6 atrial fibrillation (AF) classifications and how most of them can progress to permanent status.  Differentiate between warfarin, enoxaparin, and aspirin therapy to appropriately care for patients with AF.  Discuss the pros and cons of implantable pacemaker usage for bradyarrhythmias. Illustrate when catheter ablation can be effectivelyimplemented in clinical settings.  

Management of Obesity in Primary Care  Robert B. Baron, M.D. and David S. Tichansky, M.D.  Advise patients about evidence-based treatment of obesity.  Recognize the comorbidities associated with obesity.  Determine which patients are candidates for weight loss surgery.  Recommend multifactorial weight management strategies for patients not considered candidates for surgery.  Weigh the risks and benefits of surgical and nonsurgical treatment of obesity.

Common Pain Disorders in Primary Care  Michael J. Battistone, M.D. and Stephanie J. Nahas, M.D., M.S.  Use the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society clinical guidelines to distinguish among the 3 general etiologic categories of low back pain.  Describe the comprehensive physical examination of the patient with back pain.  Recognize psychosocial factors that affect prognosis in patients with back pain.  Use clinical criteria for migraine and a detailed history to evaluate the patient presenting with headache.  Identify signs and symptoms of underlying organic disease in patients presenting with headache. 

Osteoporosis  Michael T. McDermott, M.D. and Howard A. Shaw, M.D.  Discuss and recommend osteoporosis prevention for patients at low risk for fracture.  Use the World Health Organization’s fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) to assess risk for fracture. Explain the concept of least significant change and its use in determining patients’ response to therapy for os teoporosis and osteopenia.   Determine which patients on antiresorptive therapy may be appropriate candidates for a “drug holiday.”  List the advantages and disadvantages of estrogen therapy for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis  in postmenopausal women.

Update on Cardiac Risk Factors  Jan Basile, M.D. and Robert J. Tanenberg, M.D.  Describe and discuss new and current treatment strategies for hypertension.  Recognize and treat resistant hypertension.  Identify risk factors for metabolic syndrome.  Describe the role of lipid abnormalities in diabetic macrovascular disease and premature cardiovascular mortality.  escribe management of dyslipidemia in diabetics and others with metabolic syndrome.

Topics in Liver Disease  Richard H. Moseley, M.D. and Steven Han, M.D.   Identify the causes of cirrhosis.  Describe and implement primary prophylaxis for esophageal variceal bleeding.  Screen for and treat major complications of cirrhosis, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, he patic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma.  Identify hepatitis B patients at risk for progressive liver disease.  Describe current concepts of viral resistance and treatment in hepatits B.

Topics in Urology  Richard Roberts, M.D. and Preeti N. Malani, M.D.  Use appropriate language to elicit information from patients about urinary problems.  Identify techniques required to diagnose overactive bladder (OAB).  Describe appropriate behavioral and medical treatments for OAB.  Identify which patients should be screened and treated for bacteriuria.  Describe the process for evaluating older adults for the presence of a urinary tract infection.

Issues in Women's Health  Patricia Wathen, M.D. and Clara Paik, M.D.  Describe and discuss risks and benefits of aspirin as primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.  Utilize the United States Preventive Services Task Force risk calculator to calculate risks and benefits of aspirin as prophylaxis for a specific patient.  Describe implications of breast cancer screening, and incorporate these into clinical practice.  Determine causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Diagnose causes for and treat chronic pelvic pain.

Possible Additional Course Available

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