Program Description & Educational Objectives
In this program, an expert panel will offer a wide-ranging discussion on the modern–and multidisciplinary–management of multiple sclerosis (MS), centering on issues of prime importance to regional primary care practice. Topics to be covered include data on regional practice patterns and what they mean for MS management, symptom recognition and accurate diagnostic strategies, the safe and effective use of disease-modifying agents, an in-depth profile of developmental oral therapeutics and monoclonal antibodies active in MS, and optimal management of treatment-related complications and disease symptoms. Case scenarios and thought-provoking discussion sessions will also be offered to illustrate the elements of multidisciplinary management, and how this approach can both improve patient outcomes in MS and overcome barriers to successful treatment.
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Discuss and examine regional prevalence, barriers to care, patient demographics, and treatment patterns
- Apply established criteria and screening tools to facilitate the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in patients who present with symptoms associated with this disease
- Construct patient treatment regimens taking into account regional barriers to care and patient demographics
- Propose an effective plan to safely and effectively manage treatment-related side effects in patients with multiple sclerosis
- Develop individualized management strategies for disease-related symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis
- Analyze and interpret clinical data pertaining to emerging therapies under investigation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
- Adopt and implement an interdisciplinary approach for the management of patients with multiple sclerosis
Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of healthcare providers in the primary care community, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals.
Requirements for Successful Completion
In order to receive credit, participants must view the activity and complete the post-test and evaluation form. There are no pre-requisites and there is no fee to participate in this activity or to receive CME credit. Statements of Credit are awarded upon successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form.
Media: Internet
Release and Expiration Dates: July 19, 2010 - July 18, 2011
Time to Complete: 120 minutes
Faculty & Disclosure
Course Directors
Barry A. Singer, MD (Moderator)
Director of the MS Center for Innovations in Care
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Barry A. Singer, MD,
has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:
Consultant for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Biogen Idec Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; and TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA.
Grant/Research Support from EMD Serono, Inc.; Genzyme Corporation; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; and sanofi-aventis.
Speakers Bureau participant with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Biogen Idec Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; and TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA.
Patricia K. Coyle, MD
Professor and Acting Chair
Department of Neurology
SUNY at Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, New York
Patricia K. Coyle, MD,
has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:
Consultant for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Biogen Idec Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; and sanofi-aventis.
Grant/Research Support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and sanofi-aventis.
Speakers Bureau participant with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Biogen Idec Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; and sanofi-aventis.
Presenters
Joseph A. Lieberman III, MD, MPH
Professor of Family Medicine
Jefferson Medical College
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Joseph A. Lieberman III, MD, MPH,
has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:
Consultant for Merck & Co., Inc.; sanofi-aventis; Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.; URL Pharma, Inc.; and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Speakers Bureau participant with sanofi-aventis and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Eva Bernitsas, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Eva Bernitsas, MD,
has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:
Honorarium from Teva Neuroscience, Inc.
Fred J. Balis, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Maryland Medical Group
St. Louis, Missouri
Fred J. Balis, MD,
currently has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.
CME Reviewer
Phillip L. Barkley, MD
Director and Clinical Associate Professor
Family Health and Student Health Care
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Phillip L. Barkley, MD,
has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of:
Speakers Bureau participant with Merck & Co., Inc. and Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
Content Directors
Carmine DeLuca
PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, Inc.
Carmine DeLuca
currently has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.
Kirk A. Tacka, PhD
PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, Inc.
Kirk A. Tacka, PhD,
currently has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.
Sponsorship, Credit & Support
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Florida College of Medicine and PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education. The University of Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity is supported by an educational grant from 
