Sponsored by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
Release date: July 2007
Expiration date: July 2008
Estimated time to complete activity: 15 Minutes
This educational program is supported through an educational grant from Biogen IDEC and Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The benefits of interferon-beta therapy have been shown to be greater in clinically isolated syndromes and relapsing-remitting MS than in secondary progressive MS. Although these drugs have been shown to be effective, their long-term impact on clinically relevant disability progression is uncertain. There is still a need for more effective treatments, which might include newer agents or combination therapies. This case-based program will examine clinical challenges in the selection of therapeutic agents in progressing MS.
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of neurologists, physicians and nurses involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Upon completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Robert J. Fox, MD, is a staff neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. He is also the director of the Mellen Center MS tissue donation program.
Dr. Fox received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. He pursued residency training in neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Fox completed clinical training as a Potiker Fellow at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Nilay Shah, MD, is in private practice in the metro New York area. He also teaches neurology as an assistant professor in neurology at St. George's University School of Medicine. He previously had a private practice in upstate New York, and ran a clinic for patients with multiple sclerosis about 60 miles northwest of New York City for nearly three years.
Dr. Shah is a founding member and director of communications for the New York State Neurological Society, and also sits on the advisory board for the MS Society of Southern New York State. His other interests include the use of technology in healthcare, and he's given a number of lectures at medical society meetings around the country as co-founder and CIO of MedicalPocketPC.com, a website for healthcare professionals using handheld technology to improve patient care.
After getting his undergraduate degree at Cornell University and finishing medical school at St. George's University, Dr. Shah went on to a Neurology Residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. He completed a Neurophysiology Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
Randall T. Schapiro, MD, was born and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from Occidental College with a BS in biology, he received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He trained in internal medicine at the Wadsworth VA Medical Center at UCLA and in neurology under A.B. Baker, MD, at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.
Following a short stint as a faculty member and director of the MS clinic at the University of Minnesota, he founded the first comprehensive MS center, the Fairview MS Center, in 1977, which was renamed the Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology in 2004. Dr. Schapiro was the first elected president of the Consortium of MS Centers, an organization he helped found, and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Consortium. He has participated in the development of the Heuga Center, a wellness center for MS based in Colorado, and was given their Can Do award. He has been elected to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hall of Fame and has served on numerous advisory committees for them, including the medical advisory board. He also serves on the International Multiple Sclerosis Society's medical advisory board. He has served on the national board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for 4 years, and he is serving his 30th year on the local board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Dr. Schapiro has lectured and written extensively, nationally and internationally, on all topics associated with MS management. While he has participated in numerous research studies, he is best known for his educating and patient management style, often using humor to teach sensitive topics.
Physician Continuing Education
Accreditation Statement
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 Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Healthology, Inc. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
PIM is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485 for 0.25 contact hours.
Fee Information
There is no fee for this educational activity.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CME activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements of quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.
Robert J. Fox, MD (Co-Chair) Type of financial relationship: Consultant Grants/Research Support and Honorarium for; Genentech, Merck, Biogen IDEC, Questcor and TevaNeuroscience
Nilay Shah, MD (Co-Chair): No financial interest/relationships relating to the topic of this activity.
Randall T. Schapiro, MD: No financial interest/relationships relating to the topic of this activity.
Carol A. Smyth, MB BCh BAO (Healthology) No financial interest/relationships relating to the topic of this activity.
Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA (PIM) No financial interest/relationships relating to the topic of this activity.
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period July 31, 2007, through July 31, 2008, participants must: 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form; and 4) complete the evaluation form.
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed post-test with a score of 70 percent or better. Your statement of credit will be mailed to you within three weeks.
Internet
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Healthology Inc., and Biogen IDEC and Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Healthology Inc., and Biogen IDEC and Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
Produced by Healthology Inc. © 2007
Sponsored by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
Supported through an educational grant from Biogen IDEC and Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc.