Medical Audio CD's

Primary Care Medicine: Parts 1 & 2 40-Credit Comprehensive Review Course Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-1C $820.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, as well as, the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT FOR PART I: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of patient presentations in the primary care physician’s office. Therefore, there is a need for an annual review and update of many practical issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. Commonly seen disorders such as HTN and Diabetes which are both approaching epidemic-like occurrence, as well as Use of Antibacterial Agents, the workup of Syncope and Adult Immunizations, all of which have a significant impact on healthcare costs and outcomes, will be presented in this course. There is also considerable emphasis on the Neurological Exam and Diagnosis to include Tests and Imaging. This Part 1 of our Primary Care activity will provide a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment of these and other common adult medicine disorders that face the primary care practitioner daily.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR PART I
TOPIC 1 Newer Antibacterial Agents - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the antibacterial spectrum of activity.
2. Describe the pharmacology of the agents.
3. List the indications and dosing recommendations.
4. Identify the side effects, adverse reactions and drug interactions.

TOPIC 2 Hypertension Update: Creeping Up on a Silent Killer - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline the latest JNC guidelines in the treatment of hypertension.
2. Discover the rationale for the selection of different antihypertensive agents in select subgroups of patients.
3. Discriminate amongst the newest antihypertensive agents and the rationale for choosing these over older agents.

TOPIC 3 Treating Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the therapeutic goals in treating Type 2 Diabetes and their medical rationale.
2. Compare and contrast the oral agents for treating Type 2 Diabetes.
3. Identify the need for insulin in Type 2 Diabetes and list the therapeutic insulin options.

TOPIC 4 The Nuts and Bolts of Performing a Neurological Examination - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Obtain a complete neurological review of symptoms.
2. Perform a more complete screening neurological examination.
3. Decide when to use supplementary portions of the exam in selected clinical situations.
4. Discover the most common pitfalls and errors in performing the neurological examination.

TOPIC 5 Interpreting the Neurological Exam: A Case-Based Approach - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize common abnormalities on the neurological examination.
2. Enhance their ability to determine whether a lesion is in the central or peripheral nervous system.
3. Categorize weakness and numbness by their patterns of distribution and recognize these patterns as aids to localization.
4. Discuss selected cases which will serve as examples of how to recognize and localize classic problems noted on the neurological examination.

TOPIC 6 Multiple Sclerosis in the 21st Century - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis.
2. Develop a diagnostic testing strategy to confirm a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
3. Explore etiologic questions in multiple sclerosis.
4. Identify the newest therapeutic advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

TOPIC 7 Infective Diarrhea - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate the presentation of toxigenic and invasive diarrhea.
2. Identify food-borne pathogens.
3. Explain when to use fecal WBC, stool cultures, and stool O&P examinations.
4. Summarize the indications for antibiotic therapy.
5. Identify appropriate antibiotic choices.

TOPIC 8 A Common Symptom: Syncope - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the common underlying pathophysiology for all causes of syncope.
2. Distinguish between benign and life-threatening causes of syncope.
3. Maximize the diagnostic yield in the work-up of syncope.
4. Use the clinical history to help focus the work-up for syncope.


TOPIC 9 Thyroid Nodules - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the incidence of thyroid nodules in the primary care setting.
2. Discuss features from history and physical examination that increase the likelihood of malignancy.
3. Outline the best diagnostic approach to a thyroid nodule.
4. Review common cytologic findings from fine needle aspirate and their clinical significance.

TOPIC 10 Urinary Tract Infection - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the epidemiology of UTIs.
2. Distinguish the attributes of lower tract and upper tract infections and reinfections and relapses.
3. Identify chronic bacterial prostatitis.
4. Describe the approach to antimicrobial therapy, to include the use of short course therapy.
5. Summarize the approach to prevention.

TOPIC 11 Approach to the Patient with Fever and Rash - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Develop a differential diagnosis based upon the type of rash on presentation.
2. Discuss the most common rashes in this setting. The emphasis will be on those infections that are treatable such as meningococcemia, rickettsioses, syphilis, Varicella zoster and the agents of toxic shock syndrome.

TOPIC 12 Adult Immunization - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Summarize current recommendations for the following vaccine preventable diseases: influenza, pneumococcal infection, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, varicella-zoster, and meningococcal infection.

TOPIC 13 Neurodiagnostics Tests: How Can They Help You Make the Diagnosis? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Enhance their knowledge of the indications for neurodiagnostic studies and answer the questions: Should every seizure patient have an EEG? Should every numb hand have an EMG?
2. Recognize false positives and incidental findings obtained from neurodiagnostic testing.
3. Discover the limitations of EMG, EEG and lumbar puncture.
4. Enhance their ability to obtain useful information from neurodiagnostic tests.
5. Better advise their patients as to what is involved in the performance of these selective neurodiagnostic tests.

TOPIC 14 Neuroradiology: Interpreting the Interpretations of CAT Scan and MRI - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discover the clinical relevance of the findings reviewed in CAT scan and MRI reports.
2. Explore the rationale for ordering neuroradiologic testing.
3. Visualize and recognize common neuroradiologic abnormalities.


TOPIC 15 Evaluation of the Painful Knee in the Primary Care Setting - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize key historical features to help distinguish between common causes of knee pain in the primary care setting.
2. Demonstrate physical examination skills utilized in the diagnosis of common causes of knee pain.
3. Describe the treatment of common knee injuries in the primary care setting and determine which injuries require orthopedic consultation.

TOPIC 16 Evaluation and Treatment of the Painful Shoulder in the Primary Care Setting - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the anatomy of the shoulder in relation to common mechanisms of injury.
2. Describe and utilize key historical and physical examination skills needed to accurately diagnose common causes of shoulder pain in the primary care setting.
3. Describe the initial management of common shoulder injuries.

NEEDS STATEMENT FOR PART II: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of patient presentations in the primary care physician’s office. Therefore, there is a need for an annual review and update of many practical issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. Commonly seen problems such as Stable and Unstable Angina, CHF, CAP, Hepatitis, the Musculoskeletal Exam and Soft Tissue Injections, Pediatric Immunizations, Pediatric Staph and Strep Infections, and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding are offered in this course. Also, uncommonly discussed yet commonly seen issues such as Low Back Pain, Nutrition in the Elderly, and the clinical Identification and Treatment of the Traumatized Patient will be presented. The supporting EBM and guidelines presented will help to improve healthcare resource utilization, efficiencies and costs. Overall, this Part 2 of our Primary Care activity will provide a practical approach to common adult, pediatric and gynecologic medicine disorders that face the primary care practitioner daily.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR PART II
TOPIC 1 Unstable Angina Pectoris, Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, and Stable Angina - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the patient with unstable angina or non ST-elevation infarction and tailor therapy to the degree of risk.
2. Identify who benefits from revascularization.
3. Identify the determinants of myocardial oxygen demand and supply, and the effects of medications on these determinants.
4. Outline a step-wise approach to the treatment of stable angina.

TOPIC 2 Primary Care-Based Management of CHF - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the correctable causes of CHF.
2. Discuss the “new paradigm” in CHF management addressing disease mechanisms.
3. Describe the role of new and old classes of drugs in CHF management.
4. Develop a treatment plan for a patient with CHF.

TOPIC 3 The Alphabet Soup of Viral Hepatitis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe and characterize the 5 known types of viral hepatitis (A through E). Similarities and differences will be stressed, particularly the risks to develop chronic infection, the complications of chronic infection, and treatment.
2. Recognize hepatitis clinically and will reinforce their ability to interpret hepatitis serologies. They should be able to select appropriate patients for new treatment options available to some patients with chronic disease. Specific items covered include: a. Clinical syndromes of acute and chronic hepatitis.
b. Serologic diagnosis.
c. Complications of chronic hepatitis and newer treatment options.

TOPIC 4 Community-Acquired Pneumonia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Modify how to stratify your patients with CAP into those needing outpatient (most) vs. inpatient (few) treatment, using the PORT scoring system.
2. Paraphrase the different antibiotic options in treating CAP including the role of respiratory tract fluoroquinolones, and newest macrolide agents as well as more conventional therapies.
3. Describe the role and timing of ordering chest x-rays, blood cultures and initiation of antibiotic therapy in treating those with CAP.

TOPIC 5 Improving Nutritional Care in the Elderly - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe issues and uncertainties in contemporary geriatric nutrition.
2. Identify changes in body metabolism due to aging.
3. Utilize easily derived clinical data to make an accurate nutritional assessment.
4. Describe relative risks and benefits among various options in aggressive feeding of elderly patients.

TOPIC 6 Essential Tremor & Parkinson’s Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize mild Parkinson’s disease and other disorders that produce parkinsonism.
2. Discuss what medications to begin in their patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
3. Identify the intractable patient with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor and discuss advanced strategies for treatment of these movement disorders including deep brain stimulation.
4. Recognize and identify other types of tremor in addition to those seen in Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.

TOPIC 7 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define abnormal uterine bleeding.
2. Differentiate between functional and organic causes.
3. Manage most non-surgical etiologies of this problem.

TOPIC 8 Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Infections - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline treatment options and preventative measures for staphylococcal and streptococcal diseases.
2. Discuss the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and diagnostic methods for common and serious Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes infections.

TOPIC 9 Pediatric Immunization Update - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review recent changes in childhood immunizations and newly available vaccines.
2. Anticipate future innovations in immunization.


TOPIC 10 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - A Blessing or a Curse for the Primary Care Physician? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain how to diagnose CFS and how to distinguish it from chronic fatigue.
2. Discuss the history of CFS.
3. Summarize how to manage (and how not to mismanage) a patient with CFS.

TOPIC 11 Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care: Depression - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Improve their knowledge of the diagnosis of depression and its impact on chronic illness.
2. Identify treatment modalities that will more likely prevent a second episode of depression.
3. Become more familiar with medical diagnoses that are associated with depression such as lupus and coronary artery disease.
4. Better identify those patients who require a psychiatric referral.

TOPIC 12 HIV Infection Primer for the Primary Care Physician - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the latest epidemiology of HIV infection.
2. Relate the utility of diagnostic tests (e.g. viral load, CD4 count) and their application for disease management.
3. Discuss the principles of antiretroviral treatment and currently available medications.
4. Describe prophylaxis to prevent opportunistic infections.

TOPIC 13 The Identification and Treatment of Traumatized Patients - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the characteristics associated with traumatic events.
2. Recognize and explain the “red flags” or symptomatic manifestations of trauma in patients.
3. Explain how to obtain a trauma history from a patient.
4. Identify and propose interventions designed to treat the symptoms of trauma.

TOPIC 14 Low Back Pain - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Enhance cost-effectiveness by using validated indications for imaging studies.
2. Recognize the red flags you do not want to miss and appreciate their significance.
3. Adopt current management standards.

TOPICS 15 AND 16 Musculoskeletal Exam and Articular and Soft Tissue Injections for the Primary Care Physician, Part 1 and Part 2 - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the equipment necessary for specific injections.
2. Identify the contraindications to and complications of injections.
3. Describe the proper technique for handling of and the necessary tests on synovial fluid.
4. Describe the technique for the injection of several commonly affected structures.

Primary Care: Part 1, Adult Medicine Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-2C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of patient presentations in the primary care physician’s office. Therefore, there is a need for an annual review and update of many practical issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. Commonly seen disorders such as HTN and Diabetes which are both approaching epidemic-like occurrence, as well as Use of Antibacterial Agents, the workup of Syncope and Adult Immunizations, all of which have a significant impact on healthcare costs and outcomes, will be presented in this course. There is also considerable emphasis on the Neurological Exam and Diagnosis to include Tests and Imaging. This Part 1 of our Primary Care activity will provide a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment of these and other common adult medicine disorders that face the primary care practitioner daily.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Newer Antibacterial Agents - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the antibacterial spectrum of activity.
2. Describe the pharmacology of the agents.
3. List the indications and dosing recommendations.
4. Identify the side effects, adverse reactions and drug interactions.

TOPIC 2 Hypertension Update: Creeping Up on a Silent Killer - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline the latest JNC guidelines in the treatment of hypertension.
2. Discover the rationale for the selection of different antihypertensive agents in select subgroups of patients.
3. Discriminate amongst the newest antihypertensive agents and the rationale for choosing these over older agents.

TOPIC 3 Treating Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the therapeutic goals in treating Type 2 Diabetes and their medical rationale.
2. Compare and contrast the oral agents for treating Type 2 Diabetes.
3. Identify the need for insulin in Type 2 Diabetes and list the therapeutic insulin options.

TOPIC 4 The Nuts and Bolts of Performing a Neurological Examination - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to: 1. Obtain a complete neurological review of symptoms.
2. Perform a more complete screening neurological examination.
3. Decide when to use supplementary portions of the exam in selected clinical situations.
4. Discover the most common pitfalls and errors in performing the neurological examination.

TOPIC 5 Interpreting the Neurological Exam: A Case-Based Approach - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize common abnormalities on the neurological examination.
2. Enhance their ability to determine whether a lesion is in the central or peripheral nervous system.
3. Categorize weakness and numbness by their patterns of distribution and recognize these patterns as aids to localization.
4. Discuss selected cases which will serve as examples of how to recognize and localize classic problems noted on the neurological examination.

TOPIC 6 Multiple Sclerosis in the 21st Century - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis.
2. Develop a diagnostic testing strategy to confirm a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
3. Explore etiologic questions in multiple sclerosis.
4. Identify the newest therapeutic advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

TOPIC 7 Infective Diarrhea - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate the presentation of toxigenic and invasive diarrhea.
2. Identify food-borne pathogens.
3. Explain when to use fecal WBC, stool cultures, and stool O&P examinations.
4. Summarize the indications for antibiotic therapy.
5. Identify appropriate antibiotic choices.

TOPIC 8 A Common Symptom: Syncope - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the common underlying pathophysiology for all causes of syncope.
2. Distinguish between benign and life-threatening causes of syncope.
3. Maximize the diagnostic yield in the work-up of syncope.
4. Use the clinical history to help focus the work-up for syncope.

TOPIC 9 Thyroid Nodules - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the incidence of thyroid nodules in the primary care setting.
2. Discuss features from history and physical examination that increase the likelihood of malignancy.
3. Outline the best diagnostic approach to a thyroid nodule.
4. Review common cytologic findings from fine needle aspirate and their clinical significance.

TOPIC 10 Urinary Tract Infection - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the epidemiology of UTIs.
2. Distinguish the attributes of lower tract and upper tract infections and reinfections and relapses.
3. Identify chronic bacterial prostatitis.
4. Describe the approach to antimicrobial therapy, to include the use of short course therapy.
5. Summarize the approach to prevention.

TOPIC 11 Approach to the Patient with Fever and Rash - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Develop a differential diagnosis based upon the type of rash on presentation.
2. Discuss the most common rashes in this setting. The emphasis will be on those infections that are treatable such as meningococcemia, rickettsioses, syphilis, Varicella zoster and the agents of toxic shock syndrome.

TOPIC 12 Adult Immunization - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Summarize current recommendations for the following vaccine preventable diseases: influenza, pneumococcal infection, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, varicella-zoster, and meningococcal infection.

TOPIC 13 Neurodiagnostics Tests: How Can They Help You Make the Diagnosis? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Enhance their knowledge of the indications for neurodiagnostic studies and answer the questions: Should every seizure patient have an EEG? Should every numb hand have an EMG?
2. Recognize false positives and incidental findings obtained from neurodiagnostic testing.
3. Discover the limitations of EMG, EEG and lumbar puncture.
4. Enhance their ability to obtain useful information from neurodiagnostic tests.
5. Better advise their patients as to what is involved in the performance of these selective neurodiagnostic tests.

TOPIC 14 Neuroradiology: Interpreting the Interpretations of CAT Scan and MRI - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:
1. Discover the clinical relevance of the findings reviewed in CAT scan and MRI reports.
2. Explore the rationale for ordering neuroradiologic testing.
3. Visualize and recognize common neuroradiologic abnormalities.

TOPIC 15 Evaluation of the Painful Knee in the Primary Care Setting - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:
1. Recognize key historical features to help distinguish between common causes of knee pain in the primary care setting.
2. Demonstrate physical examination skills utilized in the diagnosis of common causes of knee pain.
3. Describe the treatment of common knee injuries in the primary care setting and determine which injuries require orthopedic consultation.

TOPIC 16 Evaluation and Treatment of the Painful Shoulder in the Primary Care Setting - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to: 1. Review the anatomy of the shoulder in relation to common mechanisms of injury.
2. Describe and utilize key historical and physical examination skills needed to accurately diagnose common causes of shoulder pain in the primary care setting.
3. Describe the initial management of common shoulder injuries.

Primary Care: Part 2, Adult, Pediatric and Women's Health Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-3C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of patient presentations in the primary care physician’s office. Therefore, there is a need for an annual review and update of many practical issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. Commonly seen problems such as Stable and Unstable Angina, CHF, CAP, Hepatitis, the Musculoskeletal Exam and Soft Tissue Injections, Pediatric Immunizations, Pediatric Staph and Strep Infections, and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding are offered in this course. Also, uncommonly discussed yet commonly seen issues such as Low Back Pain, Nutrition in the Elderly, and the clinical Identification and Treatment of the Traumatized Patient will be presented. The supporting EBM and guidelines presented will help to improve healthcare resource utilization, efficiencies and costs. Overall, this Part 2 of our Primary Care activity will provide a practical approach to common adult, pediatric and gynecologic medicine disorders that face the primary care practitioner daily.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Unstable Angina Pectoris, Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, and Stable Angina - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the patient with unstable angina or non ST-elevation infarction and tailor therapy to the degree of risk.
2. Identify who benefits from revascularization.
3. Identify the determinants of myocardial oxygen demand and supply, and the effects of medications on these determinants.
4. Outline a step-wise approach to the treatment of stable angina.

TOPIC 2 Primary Care-Based Management of CHF - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the correctable causes of CHF.
2. Discuss the “new paradigm” in CHF management addressing disease mechanisms.
3. Describe the role of new and old classes of drugs in CHF management.
4. Develop a treatment plan for a patient with CHF.

TOPIC 3 The Alphabet Soup of Viral Hepatitis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe and characterize the 5 known types of viral hepatitis (A through E). Similarities and differences will be stressed, particularly the risks to develop chronic infection, the complications of chronic infection, and treatment.
2. Recognize hepatitis clinically and will reinforce their ability to interpret hepatitis serologies. They should be able to select appropriate patients for new treatment options available to some patients with chronic disease. Specific items covered include: a. Clinical syndromes of acute and chronic hepatitis.
b. Serologic diagnosis.
c. Complications of chronic hepatitis and newer treatment options.

TOPIC 4 Community-Acquired Pneumonia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Modify how to stratify your patients with CAP into those needing outpatient (most) vs. inpatient (few) treatment, using the PORT scoring system.
2. Paraphrase the different antibiotic options in treating CAP including the role of respiratory tract fluoroquinolones, and newest macrolide agents as well as more conventional therapies.
3. Describe the role and timing of ordering chest x-rays, blood cultures and initiation of antibiotic therapy in treating those with CAP.

TOPIC 5 Improving Nutritional Care in the Elderly - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe issues and uncertainties in contemporary geriatric nutrition.
2. Identify changes in body metabolism due to aging.
3. Utilize easily derived clinical data to make an accurate nutritional assessment.
4. Describe relative risks and benefits among various options in aggressive feeding of elderly patients.

TOPIC 6 Essential Tremor & Parkinson’s Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize mild Parkinson’s disease and other disorders that produce parkinsonism.
2. Discuss what medications to begin in their patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
3. Identify the intractable patient with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor and discuss advanced strategies for treatment of these movement disorders including deep brain stimulation.
4. Recognize and identify other types of tremor in addition to those seen in Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.

TOPIC 7 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define abnormal uterine bleeding.
2. Differentiate between functional and organic causes.
3. Manage most non-surgical etiologies of this problem.

TOPIC 8 Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Infections - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline treatment options and preventative measures for staphylococcal and streptococcal diseases.
2. Discuss the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and diagnostic methods for common and serious Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes infections.

TOPIC 9 Pediatric Immunization Update - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review recent changes in childhood immunizations and newly available vaccines.
2. Anticipate future innovations in immunization.

TOPIC 10 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - A Blessing or a Curse for the Primary Care Physician? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain how to diagnose CFS and how to distinguish it from chronic fatigue.
2. Discuss the history of CFS.
3. Summarize how to manage (and how not to mismanage) a patient with CFS.

TOPIC 11 Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care: Depression - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Improve their knowledge of the diagnosis of depression and its impact on chronic illness.
2. Identify treatment modalities that will more likely prevent a second episode of depression.
3. Become more familiar with medical diagnoses that are associated with depression such as lupus and coronary artery disease.
4. Better identify those patients who require a psychiatric referral.

TOPIC 12 HIV Infection Primer for the Primary Care Physician - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the latest epidemiology of HIV infection.
2. Relate the utility of diagnostic tests (e.g. viral load, CD4 count) and their application for disease management.
3. Discuss the principles of antiretroviral treatment and currently available medications.
4. Describe prophylaxis to prevent opportunistic infections.

TOPIC 13 The Identification and Treatment of Traumatized Patients - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the characteristics associated with traumatic events.
2. Recognize and explain the “red flags” or symptomatic manifestations of trauma in patients.
3. Explain how to obtain a trauma history from a patient.
4. Identify and propose interventions designed to treat the symptoms of trauma.

TOPIC 14 Low Back Pain - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Enhance cost-effectiveness by using validated indications for imaging studies.
2. Recognize the red flags you do not want to miss and appreciate their significance.
3. Adopt current management standards.

TOPICS 15 and 16 Musculoskeletal Exam and Articular and Soft Tissue Injections for the Primary Care Physician, Part 1 and Part 2 - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the equipment necessary for specific injections.
2. Identify the contraindications to and complications of injections.
3. Describe the proper technique for handling of and the necessary tests on synovial fluid.
4. Describe the technique for the injection of several commonly affected structures.

Best of the Series Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-4C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of patient presentations in the PCP’s office. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive review and update of many practical issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. This activity is a compilation of highly evaluated Post-Activity results of all of the AMS live presentations and provides a broad scope of our highly rated presentations throughout our entire series as identified retrospectively by actual seminar participants. Topics of timely and important need are covered in this comprehensive review and include Stroke, HTN, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Heart Failure, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Antibiotic Resistance. This one CME activity identifies practical approaches to diagnosing and treating these common disorders with an emphasis on Evidence for treatment options provided.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPICS 1 and 2 Adult Preventive Health – Part I and Part II - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the criteria for a good screening test.
2. Describe the rationale behind the recommended Health Maintenance Procedures.
3. Implement the recommended Health Maintenance Procedures including Screening, Counselling, Preventive Medications, and Immunizations.

TOPIC 3 Practical Approach to the Patient with Hypertension - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the JNC VII recommendations for the treatment of hypertension.
2. Consider a rational approach to choosing medication in treating hypertension.
3. Decide when and how to evaluate for secondary causes of hypertension.

TOPIC 4 Brain Attack! Nine Mistakes Made in the Acute and Prophylactic Therapy of Stroke and TIA - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify and treat risk factors for stroke.
2. Recognize what imaging studies are appropriate in their stroke patients.
3. Appreciate that in stroke too, time is brain and discover what immediate interventions, including thrombolytics, are necessary in their acute stroke patients.
4. Better manage and triage patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

TOPIC 5 Practical Approach to the Patient with Diabetes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Consider this primer on management.
2. Identify the patient who is likely to go on to develop complications and appreciate the potential long term course.
3. Review the current guidelines for therapy and the anticipated outcome goals.

TOPIC 6 Metabolic Syndrome - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the definition and pathophysiology of the Metabolic Syndrome.
2. Consider the overall prevalence of the syndrome.
3. Recognize the outcome and implications that this syndrome has for the patient.

TOPIC 7 Effective Therapy of Neuropathic Pain - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review current thinking about the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain.
2. Discuss the clinical features of a patient with neuropathic pain.
3. Explore the pharmacologic options available to treat patients with neuropathic pain.

TOPIC 8 Cellulitis, Necrotizing Fasciitis and Diabetic Foot Ulcers - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain typical and atypical manifestations.
2. Discuss the pathogenesis.
3. List the principles of medical and surgical treatment.
4. Describe the prognosis.

TOPIC 9 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate the varied clinical presentations and course of systemic lupus erythematosus.
2. Describe the use of laboratory testing in diagnosis.
3. Identify treatment options in systemic lupus erythematosus.

TOPIC 10 Osteoporosis 101: Bone Density Testing - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recall that DXA testing is the best relative risk predictor of fracture.
2. Differentiate peripheral DXA versus central DXA.
3. Discuss the clinical indications for DXA testing.
4. Apply and utilize the DXA data - Extend into clinical decision making.

TOPIC 11 Osteoporosis 102: Case Studies - From DXA to Treatment - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. List the available FDA-approved treatments for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
2. Utilize case studies to highlight evidence-based clinical decisions.
3. Describe the potential side effects of available therapies.
4. Employ follow-up DXA studies to monitor osteoporosis treatment.

TOPIC 12 Update on Antimicrobial Resistance - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the pattern of emergence of resistance to certain infecting bacteria.
2. Identify epidemiology that may indicate potential resistance among the organisms discussed such as: a. Staphylococci;
b. Pneumococci;
c. Enterococci;
d. Gram negative bacilli.

3. Summarize the approach to current therapeutic regimens while considering resistance.

TOPIC 13 Tuberculosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify groups at risk for developing active tuberculosis.
2. Describe the principles of antituberculous therapy.
3. Describe Mantoux technique for tuberculin skin testing.
4. Summarize indications for treatment of latent TB infection.

TOPIC 14 Heart Failure - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the new ACC/AHA guidelines.
2. Better advise patients about the new medications available for heart failure management.
3. Become familiar with the use of technology (i.e. transplant and implantable defibrillators).

TOPIC 15 Clinical Aspects of Rheumatoid Arthritis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Appreciate the systemic nature of the disease.

TOPIC 16 Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline a rational approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Summarize the use and toxicity of disease modifying agents.

Internal Medicine: A Clinical Review and Update Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-5C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to continue to maintain and improve the clinical diagnostic and therapeutic skills of Primary Care Practitioners regarding the field of Internal Medicine. This activity will present this information regarding commonly seen disorders such as HTN, CAP, Diabetes, Headache, Dementias, DVT and The Diagnosis and Management of Syncope in an attempt to improve the knowledge and skills needed in the IM and Primary Care setting. This CME activity addresses the issues of diagnosing and treating these common IM disorders in which the Primary Care Physician may learn when to treat when to refer and how to best provide health maintenance. Commonly seen chronic disease states in this age of rapid drug and technology development challenge the system in terms of cost control. Also, the effective and efficient use of laboratory and diagnostic resources in not only diagnosing but also to properly monitor these chronic disease states, needs to be communicated and this activity will provide information regarding these issues.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Community-Acquired Pneumonia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the microbial causes of community acquired pneumonia.
2. Describe the accepted methods, and potential pitfalls of making the diagnosis.
3. List the prognostic factors related to outcome.
4. Describe treatment options according to severity of illness.

TOPIC 2 Management of Type 1 Diabetes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review current diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes.
2. Discuss new insulin regimens for intensive glucose control.
3. Screen for and manage cardiovascular complications of diabetes based on evidence-based studies.

TOPIC 3 Treatment Strategies in Type 2 Diabetes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe new pharmacologic agents available for glucose control.
2. Apply concepts of pathophysiology to the selection of pharmacotherapy for Type 2 Diabetes.
3. Discuss a cost-effective approach for the management of diabetic complications.

TOPIC 4 Approach to the Patient with Hypertension - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate that all antihypertensive medications do not equally reduce cardiovascular risk.
2. Apply the JNC-7 guidelines to clinical care of hypertensive patients.
3. Recognize compelling indications for selection of initial antihypertensive therapy.

TOPIC 5 Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in the Elderly - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe biochemical pathways of B-12 and normal physiology.
2. Describe the use of metabolic markers in B-12 deficiency.
3. Define work-up of B-12 deficiency in clinical practice.

TOPIC 6 The Clinician’s Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate the multiple presentations of the neuropathy of diabetes.
2. Review the differential diagnosis of patients who present with peripheral neuropathy.
3. Discuss the diagnostic work-up of patients with peripheral neuropathy.
4. Explore therapeutic options available for peripheral neuropathy.

TOPIC 7 Practical Approach to the Patient with Potential DVT - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Obtain an appropriate medial history to better identify those patients at risk.
2. More confidently evaluate and assess the patient suspected of having DVT.
3. Better manage patients with the confirmed diagnosis of DVT to include prophylaxis.

TOPIC 8 Diagnosis of Primary Headache Syndromes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the historical features of migraine, tension-type, and cluster headache.
2. Recognize which historical features best discriminate between migraine and tension-type headache.
3. List the triggers for migraine.

TOPIC 9 Treatment of Primary Headache Syndromes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate the role of abortive therapy for migraine.
2. Recognize the range of options for pharmacologic preventive therapy for migraine.
3. Develop non-pharmacologic treatment strategies for migraine.

TOPIC 10 Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) & Other Dementias - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. More confidently evaluate their patients with dementia and answer the question: What testing should be done in a patient with suspected Alzheimer’s disease?
2. Better answer the question: What are the red flags suggesting that special testing for other causes of dementia is appropriate?
3. Recognize when to initiate a Cholinesterase inhibitor or NMDA antagonist in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Discuss what interventions for depression and agitation can be most helpful in their patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

TOPIC 11 Osteoporosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review a practical approach to determine the most effective screening modalities.
2. Develop a treatment plan that considers lifestyle changes as well as treatment and monitoring.
3. Consider an approach and indications to screening for osteoporosis in men.

TOPIC 12 Practical Approach to the Patient with Hyperlipidemia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the current NCEP guidelines.
2. Develop a practical approach for considering the new medications available.
3. Consider the new targets developed for cholesterol end points.

TOPIC 13 Syncope: A Review of Fits, Faints and Funny Spells - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Distinguish between neurologic and non-neurologic causes of syncope.
2. Discuss the clinical features of dysautonomia, POTS and neurocardiogenic syncope.
3. Review the role of diagnostic testing in patients presenting with syncope.
4. Explore the therapeutic options available for patients with dysautonomia and neurocardiogenic syncope.

TOPIC 14 Dizziness - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate between the most common causes of dizziness.
2. Distinguish between central and peripheral causes of vertigo.
3. Describe physical examination maneuvers used to diagnose and treat vertigo.

TOPIC 15 Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Develop risk stratification for perioperative cardiac risk.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of preoperative cardiac risk guidelines.
3. Properly use beta-blockers for patients at risk for perioperative cardiac complications.

TOPIC 16 New or Emerging Infectious Diseases - West Nile Virus, Avian Influenza - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain the etiology and pathogenesis of these infections.
2. Describe the clinical approach and methods of diagnosing these infections.
3. Summarize the management of these infections.

Emergency Medicine: An Evidence-Based Review and Update Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-6C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: The specialty of Emergency Medicine presents physicians and practitioners with its own set of unique diagnostic and treatment challenges. These challenges come in the form of life-threatening diagnostic and treatment dilemmas, cost-effective practice and risk management. This CME activity suggests methods of decision analysis, clinical approach and practice behaviour to improve outcomes in patient care through reliance on algorithms predicated upon evidence-based studies and guidelines. New diagnostic and treatment information in the areas of Chest Pain, DVT/PE as well as pitfalls in Orthopaedics can improve patient outcomes and risk management. Life-threatening outcomes in patient presentations such as Airway Management and Aortic Disasters can improve with awareness and use of guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. And finally, cost-effective use of the laboratory should be considered and selectively incorporated into daily practice by the Emergency and Primary Care Physician. A review and update of commonly seen patient presentations as given in this activity will help to maintain the level of knowledge needed to keep the practitioner current in practical, cost-effective and risk-reduced clinical behaviour.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Cutting Edge ED Airway Management - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss essentials of airway pharmacology.
2. Discuss a fundamental approach to airway assessment.
3. Describe the technique of rapid sequence intubation.

TOPIC 2 Advanced Airway Techniques: State-of-the-Art - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe a general approach to the patient with a difficult airway.
2. Discuss contemporary airway rescue techniques.
3. Present an algorithm for management of the failed airway.

TOPIC 3 Chest Pain: A Nearly Evidence-Based Approach - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the various etiologies of chest pain and identify essential elements of the patient’s history.
2. Appreciate both the utility and the limitations of the ECG.
3. Describe the role of cardiac enzymes in the evaluation of chest pain in the ED, and how to interpret and act upon the results.
4. Discuss the impact of the various platelet-modifying agents in acute coronary syndrome.
5. Outline a cost-effective approach to the management of chest pain.
6. Describe some of the rapid evaluation strategies that are being used in today’s ED.
7. List some of the more common pitfalls when diagnosing and treating chest pain.

TOPIC 4 Aortic Disasters - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of aortic dissection and AAA.
2. Outline the diagnostic options for emergency detection of these life-threatening vascular emergencies.
3. Review the essentials of emergency management of aortic dissection and AAA.

TOPIC 5 Serious Infections of the Pediatric Head and Neck - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize differences and similarities in the clinical appearance, diagnosis and treatment of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and para-pharyngeal space infections.
2. Outline the approach to the child with red, swollen eye or cheek.

TOPIC 6 Acute Management of Pediatric Asthma - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the pathophysiology of asthma and rationale for therapeutic interventions.
2. Summarize recent data on steroids, theophylline, ipatropium bromide, and magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma in childhood.

TOPIC 7 Electrolytes at Panic Levels - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify common symptoms and signs that suggest an electrolyte abnormality.
2. Recognize characteristic EKG findings in various electrolyte abnormalities.
3. List the various therapies used to treat hyperkalemia.

TOPIC 8 Thyroid Emergencies - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the presentation of life-threatening hyperthyroid states to the Emergency Department.
2. Prepare a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient with thyroid storm and thyrotoxicosis.
3. Describe the presentation of myxedema coma.
4. Justify the use of intravenous synthroid in the potentially hypothyroid patient.

TOPIC 9 As the World Turns: Peripheral Vertigo in the ED - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the common causes of peripheral vertigo.
2. Appreciate the pathophysiology of benign positional vertigo.
3. Discuss how to perform various diagnostic tests in the evaluation of patients with peripheral vertigo.
4. Discover how to perform various therapeutic maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver, in the treatment of patients with benign positional vertigo.

TOPIC 10 Neurologic Emergencies - Part I - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize spinal cord compression, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Myasthenic Crisis.
2. Develop an approach to examination and diagnosis.
3. Incorporate cost-effective testing.
4. Apply principles to treatment and rehabilitation.

TOPIC 11 Neurologic Emergencies - Part II - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize status epilepticus, coma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. Appreciate pupillomotor function in CNIII Palsies and prognosis.
3. Incorporate cost-effective testing.
4. Apply principles to treatment and rehabilitation.

TOPIC 12 Mastering Local and Regional Anesthesia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the pharmacology of local anesthetics.
2. Discuss recent controversies in local anesthetic techniques.
3. Review regional anesthetic techniques appropriate for the ED.

TOPIC 13 Wrist Injuries - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss diagnosis and management of common wrist injuries, including some recent radiologic and orthopedic evidence.
2. Review wrist injuries and fractures that could easily be missed.
3. Discuss some pitfalls in management of wrist injuries.

TOPIC 14 Pitfalls in Orthopedics - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Outline high-risk scenarios in emergency orthopedics.
2. Discuss severe true orthopedic emergencies.
3. Review commonly missed/mis-managed orthopedic conditions, using a case-based approach.
4. Discuss the causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of compartment syndrome.
5. Review the approach to the patient with penetrating extremity trauma.
6. Discuss the indications for vascular assessment in knee dislocations.

TOPIC 15 Deep Venous Thrombosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the limitations of physical examination in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
2. Direct the work-up of a patient with leg pain and swelling.
3. Manage a patient with leg symptoms and a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.

TOPIC 16 Evaluation and Management of Pulmonary Embolism - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the risk factors for pulmonary embolism.
2. Describe the limitations of ventilation/perfusion scans in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
3. Summarize the treatment of moribund patient who presents with a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism.
4. Discuss the benefits of low molecular weight heparin compared to regular heparin in the treatment of thromboembolic disease.

Family Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach to Clinical Medicine Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-7C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to maintain a breadth of knowledge to effectively care for the variety of adult, adolescent and pediatric presentations in the primary care physician’s office. Therefore, there is a need for an annual review and update of many common issues in General and Primary Care Medicine which is provided by this CME activity. Commonly seen disorders such as Acute Coronary Syndromes, HTN, DVT/PE, Obesity which is approaching epidemic-like occurrence, as well as Hypercholesterolemia, Depression, PCOS, Adolescent Medicine and UTI in Pediatrics, all of which have an incredible impact on healthcare costs and utilization, will be presented in this course and provide new thoughts for consideration to these common problems. This Family Practice activity will suggest a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment of these and other common adult, adolescent and pediatric disorders that face the primary care practitioner on a daily basis.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Update on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes.
2. Develop an algorithm to stratify the mortality risk for patients with acute coronary syndromes.
3. Develop a treatment plan for patients with acute coronary syndromes.
4. Discuss the use of anti-platelet medications and statins in acute coronary syndrome prevention.

TOPIC 2 Hypertension - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the current approach to the treatment of hypertension.
2. Describe the important aspects of the Joint National Committee recommendations for the individualized treatment of Hypertension.
3. Identify which patients need further evaluation for secondary forms of hypertension.
4. List the advantages and disadvantages of home blood pressure monitoring.

TOPIC 3 Anemia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. List the guidelines for diagnosing anemia in children and adults.
2. List the common diagnostic studies available for diagnosing the etiology of the anemia.
3. Describe the role of consultants in the evaluation and management of anemia.

TOPIC 4 Practical Approach to Thyroid Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate the role of the screening TSH and what to do with the results.
2. Develop a reasonable and cost-effective approach to diagnosing the thyroid nodule.
3. Discuss the management of hypothyroidism.

TOPIC 5 Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolus - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Determine when to use V/Q scans, pulmonary angiography, and non-invasive flow testing in the work-up of suspected pulmonary embolus.
2. Interpret the results of these tests according to the pre-test probability of disease.
3. Describe the indications, contraindications, and therapeutic regimens for outpatient management of deep venous thrombosis with low-molecular weight heparin.
4. Describe how long anti-coagulation treatment should be continued after deep venous thrombosis.

TOPIC 6 Food for Thought: Understanding and Working with Eating Disorders - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the behavioral and psychosocial triggers that promote eating disordered behaviors.
2. Define and explain anorexia, bulimia and binge eating behaviors.
3. Recognize the clinical “red flags” that indicate eating disordered behavior.
4. Identify and propose interventions designed to treat eating disordered behaviors.

TOPIC 7 Obesity - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. State the epidemiology of obesity in America and the health risks associated with obesity.
2. Assess patients that are obese and that are in need of treatment.
3. Recommend and utilize various treatment options available, including diet, exercise, medications, and bariatric surgery.

TOPIC 8 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss and appreciate the significance of the relationship of PCOS to insulin resistance.
2. Relate the role of medication in this syndrome.
3. Develop management protocols in treating the patient with PCOD.

TOPIC 9 Top Articles, Part I - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify new studies and articles that have come out with large importance to primary care medicine.
2. Discuss the practice implications of these important new studies.
3. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the research on which we will be basing our practices.

TOPIC 10 Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the clinical situations in which urinary tract infections should be considered.
2. Identify diagnostic methods for urinary tract infection, characterize their reliability and application, and list their limitations.
3. Select the most appropriate treatment options and follow up strategies.

TOPIC 11 Caring for the Adolescent Patient - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Develop an improved ability to talk to adolescents.
2. Recognize and discuss with adolescents and parents the developmental phases.
3. Recognize and discuss with adolescents and parents the expected developmental transition phases.

TOPIC 12 Depression in Primary Care - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain the incidence and prevalence of anxiety and depression.
2. Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
3. Enumerate and describe treatment strategies available for these disorders.

TOPIC 13 Top Articles, Part II - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify new studies and articles that have come out with large importance to primary care medicine.
2. Discuss the practice implications of these important new studies.
3. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the research on which we will be basing our practices.

TOPIC 14 Hypercholesterolemia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the current guidelines for stratification of risk in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
2. Recognize the limitations of non-pharmacologic therapy in most patients with hyper-cholesterolemia.
3. Develop a treatment strategy using currently available medications for hypercholesterolemia.
4. Develop a strategy for monitoring and follow-up of patients treated for hypercholesterolemia.

TOPIC 15 Dementia in the Elderly - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the relationship between aging and dementia.
2. List common causes of dementia in the elderly and use of MMSE.
3. Identify atypical patterns and differential diagnosis.
4. Describe common features of Alzheimer’s.
5. Describe a reasonable medical evaluation of a newly identified patient.

TOPIC 16 Smoking Cessation - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the role of smoking in disease etiology.
2. Identify smoking cessation techniques which can be utilized in their practice setting.

Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Applying an Evidence-Based Approach to Your Practice Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-8C $550.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: The specialty of Pediatrics significantly impacts the practice of Emergency Medicine with its own set of unique diagnostic and treatment challenges. The diagnostic dilemmas in diagnosing and treating the Febrile Infant and Toddler, Life-Threatening Infections, and even making a Visual Diagnosis all challenge the Emergency and Primary Care Physician alike. Commonly presenting and often-times dangerous presentations of Altered Mental Status, Head Injuries, Toxicology, Severe Asthma and Upper Airway Emergencies will be discussed with Evidence-Based information. There are new approaches and information in these areas of medicine. Therefore, Emergency and Primary Care providers need to review and update their information and understanding in this discipline regularly. This review and update of commonly seen patient presentations should help to maintain the level of knowledge needed to keep the Practitioner current in prudent and practical clinical behavior in the discipline of Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 The Febrile Young Infant - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the appropriate evaluation and treatment of the febrile infant who is less than eight weeks of age.
2. Discuss those serious bacterial infections for which the febrile infant is at risk.
3. Appraise recent data suggesting that a subset of febrile infants may be treated as outpatients.

TOPIC 2 The Febrile Young Toddler - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Stratify the young child with high fevers into specific risk categories of occult bacteremia.
2. Appraise the current literature regarding occult bacteremia.
3. Justify the use and utility of prophylactic antibiotics in children with occult bacteremia.

TOPIC 3 Life-Threatening Pediatric Infections - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Conclude that as newer immunizations eradicate many serious infections, we are still faced with certain pathogens that can cause severe morbidity and mortality.
2. Recognize, diagnose and manage the following diseases: a. Toxic Shock Syndrome;
b. Meningococcemia;
c. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever;
d. Kawasaki Syndrome.

TOPIC 4 Evaluation of the Child with Altered Mental Status - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Formulate a differential diagnosis of altered mental status in children.
2. Recognize signs of cerebral herniation.
3. Provide initial stabilization measures for the child with altered mental status.
4. Employ a practical approach to evaluating the child with altered mental status.

TOPIC 5 Head Injuries - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the pathophysiology of head injury in childhood.
2. Analyze the management approach to mild, moderate, and severe head trauma.
3. Review the emergency treatment of severely head-injured conditions.

TOPIC 6 Toxicology: Accidental and Intentional Ingestions - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate toxic and non-toxic ingestions.
2. Manage common pediatric accidental ingestions.
3. Describe the diagnosis and management of newer drugs being used by children.

TOPIC 7 Seizures - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the common etiologies of seizures in the infant and young child.
2. Explain the management of status epilepticus in the pediatric patient.
3. Define appropriate laboratory and imaging studies in the acute care setting.

TOPIC 8 Medical Errors in Pediatrics - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Explain root cause analysis and perform it on cases of medical errors that involved children.
2. Describe specific risks for medication errors and strategies to reduce their occurrence.
3. Review issues in sleep physiology that relate to medical error risks.

TOPIC 9 Abdominal Emergencies in Children - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Formulate a differential diagnosis for the child with abdominal pain.
2. Identify common and life-threatening causes of abdominal pain in children.
3. Compare different diagnostic imaging options for children with abdominal pain.

TOPIC 10 Pediatric Endocrine Emergencies: Diabetic Ketoacidosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the presenting signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
2. Select appropriate initial therapy for the child with diabetic ketoacidosis.
3. Identify those children with diabetic ketoacidosis that may be candidates for outpatient management.
4. Contrast the presentation of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children.

TOPIC 11 Evaluation and Management of Dehydration in Children - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Apply clinical findings to accurately assess dehydration in children.
2. Recognize the role of laboratory testing in suspected dehydration.
3. Manage mildly to moderately dehydrated children with oral rehydration therapy.
4. Describe the indications for and the initial approach to intravenous fluid therapy.

TOPIC 12 Antibiotic Update - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review recent trends in antibiotic resistance.
2. Improve empiric antibiotic usage for common pediatric conditions.
3. Develop strategies to resist further development of antibiotic resistance.

TOPIC 13 Upper Airway Emergencies in the Pediatric Patient - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Conclude that upper airway emergencies require prompt diagnosis and efficient treatment.
2. Recognize and treat common causes of pediatric stridor including: a. Croup;
b. Epiglottitis;
c. Retropharyngeal abscess;
d. Anaphylaxis.

TOPIC 14 Acute Management of Severe Asthma - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appraise the literature with regard to the treatment of children with severe asthma.
2. Summarize the role of continuously nebulized albuterol for children with severe asthma.
3. Discuss the use of magnesium sulfate and intravenously administered beta2- agonists in this setting.

TOPIC 15 Otitis Media - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the pathophysiology of Otitis Media and relate it to child risk factors.
2. Distinguish an Acute Otitis Media (AOM) from Otitis Media with effusion (OME) based on recently published diagnostic criteria.
3. Describe changes in the microbiology of Otitis Media and their effects on newly published treatment recommendations.

TOPIC 16 Visual Diagnosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify diagnoses in children by simple visual inspection.
2. Discriminate among common pediatric diagnoses by asking appropriate historical questions.

Women's Health: Primary Care Issues 10 Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-9C $380.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to present an ongoing review and update in issues in Women’s Health as evidenced by results of our Activity Evaluations, Faculty suggestions and medical publications review. Primary Care Practitioners need to stay current with the many changes in the various areas of medicine affecting the specialty of GYN, such as those of Endocrinology and General Medicine. The need to stay current in gynecology and women’s health is further reinforced when one considers the escalating costs in medicine. Cost containment is enhanced when a primary care physician can diagnose and treat common patient presentations such as Menopause, Osteoporosis, Thyroid Disorders, Headache, Anemia and even Hirsutism. Even the specialty topic of Reproductive Failure will assist the primary care physician in understanding the common issues, appropriate tests to order and when to refer patients with this clinical presentation. Therefore, these topics can be of interest and use to not only the Generalist, but to the Gynecologist as well.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Menopause: Myths and Realities - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Classify the various issues that face the menopausal woman.
2. Differentiate between true concerns and current anecdotal myths.
3. Discuss topics such as: osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and endometrial cancer as well as their current therapies.

TOPIC 2 Use and Interpretation of Thyroid Tests - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Compare the utility of the various serum tests for thyroid function.
2. Distinguish the combination of results that occur in clinical settings.
3. Describe the appropriate follow-up of abnormal thyroid tests.

TOPIC 3 Osteoporosis: Who? When? What? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology and epidemiology of osteoporosis.
2. Describe the role of bone mineral density measurement in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
3. Describe the various nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for osteoporosis.

TOPIC 4 Reproductive Failure - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define both infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.
2. Evaluate these disorders as well as current evidence-based treatment options for each.

TOPIC 5 Migraine and Other Headaches: A Diagnostic Approach Leading to Rational Therapy - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the clinical spectrum of symptoms in patients with migraine headache.
2. Review other types of headache which can mimic migraine.
3. Identify the newest therapeutic advances in the treatment of migraine headache.

TOPIC 6 Anemia in Women – A Finding, Not Yet a Diagnosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. List most common anemias in women and their usual etiology.
2. Compare the diagnostic evaluation needed to determine the etiology of the anemia.
3. Identify the therapeutic options for each of the identified anemias.
4. Describe the follow-up plans for assessing the efficacy of treatment for each anemia.

TOPIC 7 Hirsutism - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Understand the pathophysiology of abnormal body hair growth in women.
2. Differentiate the source of androgen excess.
3. Review current treatment options.

Sport's Medicine 10: A Primary Care Approach Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-10C $380.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: The specialty of Sports Medicine crosses over into several Primary Care areas such as those of EM, FP and IM. There is a need to educate the Primary Care Practitioner in the principles of acute and chronic care of commonly encountered disorders and injuries of the joints and back which often have etiologies other than those due to sports. Preventive care needs to be taught as well and is instrumental in maintaining a healthy active population which is a goal of healthcare today. A healthy active population reduces the incidence and severity of Diabetes Mellitus, Osteoporosis, and Cardiovascular disease and in general improves overall well-being. When you consider such disorders, the principles of Sports Medicine commonly promote the needed attitude and behavioral changes which have proven to improve patient outcomes. This activity will help to maintain the practice methods that are necessary to improve and maintain the healthy active population concept.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Exercise Prescription - Safely Planning Exercise for Patients - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the need for exercise.
2. Discuss patient evaluation for exercise readiness.
3. Become familiar with writing an exercise prescription.

TOPIC 2 Sports Pre-Participation Physical Examination - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss pertinent history and physical findings for sports participation.
2. Recognize the contraindications to sports participation.
3. Develop strategies for allowing participation with certain conditions.

TOPIC 3 Concussions - Who Plays and Who Stays - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define and discuss the causes of a concussion.
2. Review the pertinent anatomy.
3. Discuss the guidelines for an adequate evaluation and decisions regarding the ability to return to play.

TOPIC 4 Shoulder Injuries - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the anatomy of the shoulder and related structures.
2. Discuss historical and physical findings.
3. Identify treatment strategies that are suggested for specific conditions.

TOPIC 5 Low Back Pain - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the anatomy of the spine and important nerves, muscles and structures commonly involved in the presentation of LBP.
2. Review pertinent signs and symptoms in the patient presenting with LBP.
3. List and recognize specific physical findings in the patient presenting with the complaint of LBP.
4. Discuss treatment strategies available in the Primary Care setting.

TOPIC 6 Ankle Injuries Masquerading as Sprains - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review important anatomical landmarks.
2. Discuss clinical presentation and diagnosis of ankle injuries that are NOT sprains.
3. Develop a practical approach to the management of these injuries.

TOPIC 7 Common Fractures - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review bone metabolism and repair.
2. Discuss common fractures.
3. Become familiar with the various treatment recommendations presented.

Neurology 10: A Primary Care Update Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-11C $380.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need for physician’s and practitioner’s to maintain and improve their clinical diagnostic skills in the specialty area of Neurology. In view of today’s rising medical care costs and the fact that America is aging, diseases such as CVA’s, Dementia, Syncope, Headache, and Parkinson’s, etc. will increasingly be seen by the Primary Care Practitioner. This CME activity addresses these issues and satisfies the need to improve the abilities of practitioners to diagnose neurological conditions through greater reliance on clinical skills and knowledge and less reliance on unnecessary testing and specialty referral.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 The Neurological Examination - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Organize the disparate parts of the neurologic examination into a personally relevant, manageable and reproducible diagnostic tool.
2. Identify clinical tests for specific neurologic functions.
3. Perform a screening neurologic exam for asymptomatic patients.
4. Perform a problem-tailored neurologic exam for patients with neurologic complaints.

TOPIC 2 Headache and Migraine - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review common presentations of various headache disorders.
2. Describe the pathophysiology of headache and migraine.
3. Review medication and non-pharmacologic strategies.
4. Appreciate the prevalence of analgesic rebound headache in daily practice.

TOPIC 3 Dementia - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify a patient with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
2. Diagnose the major syndromes associated with common causes of dementia.
3. Develop a therapeutic plan for a patient with dementia.
4. Identify the conditions that frequently mimic dementia.

TOPIC 4 Syncope: Which Test Is Best in the Fainting Patient? - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the causes and natural history of syncope.
2. Appreciate the role of bedside tilt and tilt table testing.
3. Refine treatment strategies for orthostatic hypotension.

TOPIC 5 Cerebrovascular Disease: TIA and Stroke - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define TIA.
2. Develop a protocol for evaluation and treatment of TIA and stroke.
3. Apply inclusion criteria and CT criteria for thrombolysis.
4. Discuss outcomes, hemorrhage rate, recovery.

TOPIC 6 Parkinson’s Disease and Its Differential Diagnosis - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the clinical features of the syndrome of parkinsonism.
2. Describe other important typical features of Parkinson’s disease and clinical features atypical for Parkinson’s disease.
3. Recognize long-term complications of Parkinson’s disease and major treatment options.
4. Distinguish among the common types of tremor and devise a therapeutic plan for a patient with essential tremor.

TOPIC 7 An Approach to the Dizzy Patient - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the common presentations of dizziness.
2. Describe the pathophysiology of vertigo and nystagmus.
3. Apply bedside techniques to distinguish dizziness subtypes.
4. Identify and apply potentially curative treatment for benign positional vertigo.

Cardiology 10: An Evidence-Based Approach Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-12C $380.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: The need for updated knowledge in Cardiology is evident in the managed care environment for the purpose of cost control, but it is also an issue of quality in the practice of medicine. Due to the expense of testing, the ubiquitous nature of Hypertension and the increasing “epidemic proportions” of Congestive Heart Failure, the generalist is expected to ease the increasing demand upon the Cardiologist. Maintenance therapy and follow-up care is becoming the responsibility of the generalist who must now know the guideline-driven treatments of CHF, AMI and HTN as well as other cardiology-related disorders which are on the rise due in part to the aging of our society. These issues will be presented in a case-based and EBM format during which the currently accepted guidelines for care will be taught. This new evidence is the basis and need for presenting the CME activity “Cardiology 10: An Evidence-Based Approach”.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Hypertension - Beyond the Guidelines - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define hypertension for the general population and various subgroups.
2. Recognize the importance of isolated systolic hypertension.
3. Recognize that low diastolic pressure may be prognostically good or bad.
4. Develop a step-wise approach to the treatment of hypertension.

TOPIC 2 Perioperative Cardiac Evaluation and Management - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify what the surgical team wants to know.
2. Characterize the cardiovascular effects of anesthesia and surgery.
3. Identify the elements of appropriate preoperative evaluation, including the role of non-invasive testing for coronary artery disease, using national guidelines.
4. Identify perioperative measures, which may reduce the risk of cardiac complications.

TOPIC 3 Congestive Heart Failure - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the cardiac etiologies of pulmonary congestion.
2. Discriminate between ejection fraction and stroke volume.
3. List common causes of systolic heart failure.
4. Outline current standard-of-care therapies, differentiating between those treatments which reduce mortality and those that improve symptoms.

TOPIC 4 Aortic Valve Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the patient with aortic valve disease through history and physical examination.
2. Describe the role of non-invasive and invasive testing in diagnosis and management.
3. Define appropriate medical therapy and indications for aortic valve replacement.

TOPIC 5 Mitral Valve Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the patient with mitral valve disease through history and physical examination.
2. Describe the role of non-invasive and invasive testing in diagnosis and management.
3. List appropriate medical therapy and indications for mitral valve replacement and repair.
4. Recognize the symptoms and adverse outcomes that do and do not result from mitral valve prolapse.

TOPIC 6 Chest Pain and Noninvasive Testing for Coronary Artery Disease - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate life-threatening from more benign chest pain.
2. Outline a step-wise approach to the patient with chest pain, with the use of probability analysis.
3. Appreciate the relative merits of the various diagnostic tests for coronary artery disease.

TOPIC 7 Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the differences in plaque morphology to the differences between stable angina and acute coronary syndromes.
2. Identify the patient with acute ST- elevation myocardial infarction, including the use of newer markers of cardiac injury.
3. Recognize those treatment strategies that reduce mortality, and the importance of minimizing time delay.
4. Recognize and treat complications of acute infarction.
5. Assess post-infarction risk.

Critical Care Challenges 10 Media: Audio CD Shipped in 8 days Cat.# AMS-13C $380.00 ADD TO CART

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: The overall objective is to provide the participant with practical and clinically relevant information. Upon completion of this CME activity, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to describe the current approach to formulating differential diagnoses, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive management of the various disciplines presented.

NEEDS STATEMENT: There is a need to maintain and improve the clinical skills of the Physician and Practitioner in Critical Care Medicine due to the fact that new treatments are rapidly developing and available. This CME activity addresses these new therapies and satisfies the need to improve the abilities of physicians and practitioners to diagnose, treat and properly involve necessary subspecialty consultants. Greater reliance on clinical skills and knowledge and less reliance on unnecessary testing will help improve the continuity of patient care while curtailing the rising costs of medical care today.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TOPIC 1 Approach to Acid-Base Disturbances - At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify primary metabolic and respiratory acid-base disturbances and their compensatory mechanisms.
2. Discover a formal, stepwise approach to the interpretation of any acid-base problem.
3. Outline the differential diagnosis of the major simple and mixed acid-base disturbances.
Several illustrative case studies will be discussed.

TOPIC 2 Shock and Hemodynamic Monitoring - Shock is a common problem in the intensive care unit. At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Define shock and describe the causes. We will focus on the pathophysiology of common entities.
2. Characterize basic resuscitation techniques including volume replacement and the use of vasopressors.
3. Identify the indications for insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter.
4. Outline the contraindications to pulmonary artery catheter placement as well as the complications that can arise.
5. Recognize what information can be obtained from a pulmonary artery catheter and how this information is useful in guiding patient management.
A number of pulmonary artery pressure tracings will be shown so that the participant becomes familiar with interpretation.

TOPIC 3 Acute Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation - We will provide a practical review of this exciting topic. We will cover the basics of mechanical ventilation. At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Characterize the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of acute hypoxemic and hypersonic respiratory failure.
2. Describe the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure.
3. Identify the basic concepts of management for patients on mechanical ventilation.
4. Differentiate commonly used ventilator modes. We will also discuss the use of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).
5. Identify the indications for and complications of mechanical ventilation.
6. Characterize weaning, including general principles and strategies for weaning from mechanical ventilation.

TOPIC 4 Critical Care Cases for Review: Part I A variety of Critical Care cases will be presented with audience participation. X-rays and other diagnostic studies will be shown in an attempt to emphasize some of the common problems seen in the ICU. Cases will include a variety of pulmonary as well as non-pulmonary topics.

TOPIC 5 Hemoptysis - A common and occasionally life-threatening emergency. At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Characterize the causes for hemoptysis.
2. Characterize the severity of a bleeding episode.
3. Identify the diagnostic modalities available.
4. Outline acute basic therapy and understand indications for specialist referral.

TOPIC 6 Critical Care Cases for Review: Part II A variety of Critical Care cases will be presented with audience participation. X-rays and other diagnostic studies will be shown in an attempt to emphasize some of the common problems seen in the ICU. Cases will include a variety of pulmonary as well as non-pulmonary topics.

TOPIC 7 Pulmonary Thromboembolic Disease - A very common, difficult to diagnose problem with devastating consequences if not treated promptly. At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Characterize the epidemiology, risk factors, & clinical presentation of PE & DVT.
2. Identify the role of DVT prophylaxis and the current status of low molecular weight heparin.
3. Diagram the diagnostic work-up including V/Q scanning, lower extremity studies, CT scanning, pulmonary angiography and others.
4. Outline Tx modalities including anticoagulation, thrombolysis & vena cava filters.