Rheumatology 101 for the Primary Care Provider

Friday, May 15, 2020, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Online registration is closed. For questions contact the Virginia Mason CME department at (206) 341-0142.

COVID-19: To maintain the safety of all, this course is designed for online presentation via livestream. Teaching methods include lecture and Q&A with faculty via messaging and audience response system. System requirements: HTML5 capable browser on sound-capable computer or smart device; most modern browsers are HTML5 capable.

Washington State is experiencing a shortage of rheumatologists, ranking #50 out of 50 according to the 2015 joint American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Association of Rheumatology Health Professional Workforce Survey. By 2030 the national rheumatology labor force is forecast to decline sharply from 4,497 full-time equivalent (FTE) to 3,455, resulting in excess demand that will more than double supply. In Washington State, the situation is expected to become exceptionally dire as our state’s rheumatologists support a large number of patients from Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and even Canada. Indeed, many patients in Washington State wait 6-12 months to be seen for their autoimmune conditions by a rheumatologist. This shortage of rheumatologists has even resulted in fewer educational opportunities being available for primary care providers.

This course provides a valuable opportunity for primary care providers to receive training to address the rheumatologic conditions of their patients. We will cover the identification of common rheumatologic conditions and discussing care management with rheumatologists in a timely manner to prevent patient morbidity and mortality. We will cover common conditions seen by rheumatologists, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and inflammatory bowel-disease associated arthritis), systemic lupus erythematosus, many forms of vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, and crystalline arthropathies. We will discuss recommended lab tests, the imaging modalities that are most useful in diagnosis of inflammatory polyarthritis, and review considerations for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment that primary care providers need to know.

1. Discuss current strategies to predict, prevent and ultimately cure rheumatoid arthritis
2. Review the types of spondyloarthritis, and how to take history, physical exam, and lab/imaging for workup
3. Discuss initial differential of presenting symptoms, clinical history and physical exam findings suggestive of inflammatory polyarthritis
4. Categorize the nature of joint pain and review diagnostic criteria/classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and differential diagnosis
5. Discuss diagnosis and management of autoimmune inflammatory polyarthritis from the patient’s perspective
6. Apply the updated classification criteria for lupus, including the relevant laboratory data
7. Review the epidemiology, diagnostic work-up and management of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
8. Describe differences between limited and diffuse systemic sclerosis
9. Cite barriers to treatment with biologic therapies and identify common side effects related to biologic therapies

To meet the educational needs of clinicians in a manner compatible with social distancing, we are presenting this course for online livestreaming only.

Livestream enrollment: $195.00

Registration closes on May 14, at 2:00 pm PDT.

 

The Virginia Mason Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Virginia Mason Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAFP: This Live activity, Rheumatology 101 for the Primary Care Provider, with a beginning date of 05/15/2020, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 8.25 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (8.25 hours), AAFP Prescribed Credits (8.25 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (8.25 hours)

COURSE DIRECTORS:

Amish J. Dave, MD, MPH
Erin Bauer, MD

Friday, May 15, 2020

This activity is solely sponsored by Virginia Mason Medical Center.