GROUP EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Fall 2022-Spring 2023    3 topics available

Request a 1-hour Presentation at your medical practice or hospital

Adult & Pediatric Asthma: Evidence-based Prescribing Update
Asthma is a common condition affecting approximately 11% of adults in Maine, higher than the national prevalence of less than 8%.  Children in Maine have asthma at a similar prevalence as nationwide, 8%. Asthma causes significant days of missed school and missed work.  In 2020, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) updated its practice guidelines and in 2021, the US National Heart, Lunch and Blood Institute published focused updates.  According to the Maine Health Data Organization, medications for asthma and/or COPD represented 7 of the 25 most commonly prescribed medications for all payers and 5 of the 25 most commonly prescribed medications for MaineCare from July 2019-June 2020.  The Maine Medicaid retrospective drug utilization review (DUR) program will include “appropriate use of asthma controller medications” among its 2022 Quality Initiatives.  Learning objectives:
– Categorize medications used in treating asthma.
– Apply the newer recommendation for nearly universal inhaled corticosteroids.
– Review step-wise asthma therapy.
slides

Using Data To Improve Opioid Prescribing
Available resources to address the Opioid/Substance Use Crisis have been enhanced by the state in the past few years.  Pertinent to prescribers, data analytics are being increasingly incorporated into the Prescription Monitoring Program platform.  Launched in 2021, the Maine Drug Data Hub provides a centralized repository for substance use-related data and resources.  These will be explored in depth and the presentation will conclude with information related to harm reduction.  Patient experience will be shared through video.  Learning objectives:
– Use the PMP as a tool to improve prescribing.
– Review data & resources at Maine Drug Data Hub.
– Support and participate in harm reduction.
slides

Simplified Treatment of Hepatitis C in Primary Care Settings
Hepatitis C incidence has been increasing in Maine during the 2010s.  Newer direct-acting antiviral treatments have been available for several years and guidelines for treatment of less complicated patients have been developed for Primary Care physicians and providers.  While these treatments are costly, they have benefit in terms of overall health and preventing later complications of advanced liver disease.  Learning objectives:
– Understand the importance of screening for Hepatitis C.
– Know next steps when initial HCV screen is positive.
– Identify elements of a comprehensive care plan for patients with HCV.
slides     handout     slide references     further resources
2-page summary 

The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live internet activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS).  The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

ACADEMIC DETAILING  Fall 2022-Spring 2023      What is Academic Detailing?
ASTHMA, HEPATITIS C, and 4 OPIOID PRESCRIBING TOPICS
Request a 1-hour Individual Session with an Academic Detailer

A prescriber (physician, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant) may request a 1-hour Academic Detailing session, and sessions can be scheduled for any time of day (one topic per session).  There is no charge for the session.

Level 2 Adult & Pediatric Asthma: Evidence-based Prescribing Update
After attending the 1-hour presentation above, request a 1-on-1 Academic Detailing Session.
Learning objectives:
– Categorize medications used in treating asthma.
– Apply the newer recommendation for nearly universal inhaled corticosteroids.
– Review step-wise asthma therapy.

Level 2 Simplified Treatment of Hepatitis C in Primary Care Settings
After attending the 1-hour presentation above, request a 1-on-1 Academic Detailing session.

Learning objectives:
– Review HCV pre-treatment evaluation
– Determine factors that favor subspecialty management of HCV infection
– Prepare to counsel patients.
– Review drug-drug interactions and select treatment regimen

One-on-One Academic Detailing Sessions on 4 Opioid Prescribing Topics

1. Opioid prescribing discussion including Maine law
Session one is an overview of clinical practice recommendations for the prescribing of opioids, including Maine law and rules.  This session would be relevant for any specialty prescribing opioids, and particularly those prescribers who are new graduates or new to Maine.  As academic detailing involves a personalized needs assessment for each session, the content of this session can be focused on general practice guidelines and community health for prescribers who are required by law to have opioid education but who do not actually prescribe opioids.

2. MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder) Basics Discussion
Session two introduces basic concepts related to opioid use disorder (OUD) and medications for addiction treatment.  This session would be helpful for any prescriber.  As more and more patients are receiving treatment with buprenorphine, all specialties are intersecting with people with opioid use disorders.  This session is particularly relevant for primary care/urgent care or emergency care providers who are considering or just starting to treat OUD.

3. MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder) Advanced Discussion
Session three provides support for those prescribers already prescribing buprenorphine.  In many locations in Maine, prescribers do not have robust support for the nuanced questions that arise during treatment of patients with opioid use disorder.  In addition, as buprenorphine treatment becomes more widespread, treatment recommendations are evolving generally to reduce barriers to treatment, given that a person with OUD has decreased mortality if on buprenorphine under any circumstance.

4. Deprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines
Session four tackles the very difficult topic faced by almost every primary care office in Maine.  There still remain a significant number of patients in Maine who have been prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines (often in combination) for years, even decades.  Patients who are still prescribed these drugs after the introduction of the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines and Maine’s Chapter 488 represent a challenging population.  Prescribers who engage in deprescribing can face significant push back.  This session introduces not only recommendations, but also scripting for use in those difficult one on one conversations taking place in exam rooms.

The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live internet activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS).  The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Contact MICIS