Date of Release:        July 26th, 2011
Termination Date:      July 26th, 2012
Peer Review Date:    June 29th, 2011

Agenda

• Pre-Test
• Introduction: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Costs, and Challenges of Adherence
• Therapeutic Options
• Increasing communication
• Collaborative Care
• Post-Test

Purpose of Program

To educate psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners about the need to identify and apply evidence-based management strategies to improve outcomes for patients with schizophrenia.

Requirements for Successful Completion

Participants must take the pre-test, view all 4 webisodes, and complete the post-test and evaluation to receive CME credit.

Target Audience

The intended audiences for this activity are psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and pharmacists who care for patients in the US Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Activity Description

4 webisodes.

Learning Objectives

After completing this educational activity, the participant will demonstrate the ability to:

• Describe the ramifications of poor continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient settings
• Identify opportunities within their own practice to improve communication and continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient settings
• Recognize issues leading to nonadherence within their own patient population
• Discuss the indications, efficacy, side effects, and potential pitfalls of using of long-acting injectable antipsychotics as part of a strategy for enhancing adherence and outcomes in schizophrenia

Statement of Need and Learner’s Gap

Schizophrenia is a major mental illness with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1%. It is a primary cause of long-term disability throughout the world and is the most disabling of all mental health conditions, requiring lifelong care and treatment. Given the high levels of stress among men and women serving in the military, it is not surprising the high rate of mental illness that affects these veterans. The Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System, on average, treats more than 100 000 patients with schizophrenia annually which accounts for 12% of all VA healthcare costs. The smooth transition between inpatient and outpatient care for patients with schizophrenia is paramount in maintaining the patient’s remission upon discharge and reducing the risk of relapse. Minimizing incidents of relapse involves a coordinated effort between the patient, provider, family, and multidisciplinary treatment team. This riveting, case-intensive activity will follow 2 real patients as they share their experiences, both in and out of the VA. This format will provide psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners with practical, relevant information covering: (a) transition from inpatient to outpatient care; (b) recognition of nonadherence; (c) pharmacologic management and supportive strategies, as well as other applicable approaches all aimed at improving patient adherence. The aim of such efforts include reduced rates of relapse, re-hospitalization, and better quality overall long-term outcome.

Accreditation Statement

The Mount Sinai School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

The Mount Sinai School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This CME activity was prepared in accordance with the ACCME Essentials and Standards for Commercial Support.

Sponsorship

Sponsored by The Page and William Back Post-Graduate School, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Commercial Support

This activity was supported in part by an educational grant from Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.

Faculty Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of MSSM to ensure objectivity, balance, independence, transparency, and scientific rigor in all CME-sponsored educational activities. All faculty participating in the planning or implementation of a sponsored activity are expected to disclose to the audience any relevant financial relationships and to assist in resolving any conflict of interest that may arise from the relationship. Presenters must also make a meaningful disclosure to the audience of their discussions of unlabeled or unapproved drugs or devices. The participating faculty reported the following:

Vladan Novakovic, MD (Chair), reports having no relevant financial relationships.

Robert L. Barkin, MBA, PharmD, FCP, DAAPM, DACFE, DACFM, DACPS, reports having no relevant financial relationships.

Mark B. Hamner, MD, reports receiving research support from Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, and Pfizer Inc; and owning publicly traded stocks, stock options, or other forms of ownership from Merck & Co, Inc and Pfizer Inc.

Kathleen LeClear O'Connell, PhD, RN, reports having no relevant financial relationships.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

No faculty intend to discuss unlabeled use of drugs.

Verification of Attendance

Verification of participation will be provided to all professionals.