Rhode Island Physician Ebook Continuing Education

What’s Inside

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIAS: INSIGHTS FOR EARLY DETECTION AND CARE PLANNING COURSE ONE | 3 CREDIT HOURS SATISFIES THE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE TRAINING REQUIREMENT Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are complex conditions that impact cognitive function and daily life. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for effective management and improving quality of life. Key concepts covered in this course include recognizing early warning signs, utilizing cognitive assessment tools like the MMSE and MoCA, and understanding both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. Developing comprehensive care plans and involving caregivers in the process are essential for providing holistic care and staying informed about emerging treatments and ongoing research is vital for advancing dementia care. By integrating these key concepts, healthcare professionals can better support patients and their families through the ongoing and evolving challenges of dementia.

OPIOID USE DISORDER COURSE TWO | 10 CREDIT HOURS SATISFIES THE DEA MATE ACT REQUIREMENT

Morphine and heroin were first synthesized and used medicinally in the nineteenth century, and recreational and illicit use followed. Historically, heroin dependence has been difficult to treat successfully, with poor outcome being attributed to patient characteristics, environmental factors, and the powerful reinforcing effects of the drug. Agonist-replacement therapy was introduced more than 40 years ago and represented a breakthrough in the management of heroin addiction. Advances in treatment have included newer pharmacotherapies, psychosocial therapy, and the growth and accessibility of 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous. This course will provide the most pertinent, up-to-date information regarding the characteristics of the patients with opioid use disorder; the mechanism of opioid action and the neurobiology of opioid addiction; the epidemiology, diagnosis and risk factors of opioid abuse and dependence; and pharmacologic, psychosocial, 12-step/self-help, and alternative therapies that are effective in treating opioid use disorders. Additionally, the demographics, characteristics, comorbidity and treatment of synthetic and prescription opioid use disorder will be addressed.

FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA COURSE THREE | 2 CREDIT HOURS

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of degenerative brain disorders causing progressive deterioration in behavior, language, and/or movement. There are presently approximately 60,000 people with FTD in the United States. Onset generally occurs between 50 and 70 years of age, making FTD one of the most common presenile dementias. FTD affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control emotions, judgment, personality, memory and language. The clinical diagnosis of FTD can be challenging, as some symptoms overlap with Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia. FTD can be categorized based on its primary symptoms into three basic types: behavioral variant FTD, primary progressive aphasia, and progressive motor decline. Although most FTD does not appear to be inherited, genetics does play a role in a significant minority of cases. There is no effective treatment or cure for FTD, but there are strategies for management of symptoms. This course will discuss the possible causes and pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management strategies for FTD.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND OTHER CANNABINOIDS COURSE FOUR | 5 CREDIT HOURS

A large body of clinical trials has now been published on cannabis and other cannabinoids in the treatment or management of a wide range of diseases and conditions. This course will review the body of research on medicinal cannabis to provide the learner with the most recently available information on potential indications, pharmacology and mechanism of action, acute and chronic side effects, and patients for whom medicinal cannabis is contraindicated. Also discussed will be a comparison between medicinal and recreational cannabis users, and how differences between the two groups in background characteristics and patterns of cannabis ingestion may differentially influence the development of side effects such as cannabis abuse and dependence. An evaluation of the strength and the quality of the research evidence will also be provided, as well as a discussion of how the cannabinoid mechanism of action may interact with disease pathogenesis to produce clinical benefit. The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes throughout recorded human history will also be presented.

FINAL EXAMINATION ANSWER SHEET REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CREDIT