GROUP EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Winter/Spring 2024    3 topics available

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

Diabetes Update Focusing on GLP-1s and SGLT-2s
About one in ten Americans have diabetes with type 2 accounting for 90-95%. The glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonists and sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are two of the more recently developed classes of diabetes drugs with the first drug approved in each class in 2005 and 2013, respectively.  This program will focus on these drug classes to include how they work, risks and benefits, other indications and cost.  Other nonpharmacological aspects of diabetes management will be reviewed including diabetes prevention strategies, individualized glucose recommendations and comprehensive diabetes care recommendations.  The overlap among diabetes and other metabolic diseases (obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease) will be woven into the various sections.  The GLP-1s and SGLT-2s have newer indications including weight loss and heart failure treatment, even without diabetes,  Prescribers will benefit from a comprehensive, nonbiased review of these drug classes.
– Analyze strategies for diabetes prevention
– Investigate the pharmacology of the diabetes drug classes: GLPS-1s and SGLT-2s
– Formulate a framework for comprehensive diabetes care
slides    GLP-1s   SGLT-2s

Adult & Pediatric Asthma: Evidence-based Prescribing Update
Asthma is a common condition affecting approximately 11% of adults in Maine.  The national prevalence for adults is less than 8% and for children is 8%. Asthma causes significant days of missed school and missed work.  In recent years, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have updated guidelines.  According to the Maine Health Data Organization, medications for asthma and/or COPD represented 5 of the 25 most commonly prescribed medications in Maine in 2022.
Learning objectives:
– Categorize medications used in treating asthma.
– Apply the newer recommendation for nearly universal inhaled corticosteroids.
– Review step-wise asthma therapy.
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 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 Winter/Spring 2024
What is Academic Detailing?
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

Diabetes Update Focusing on GLP-1s and SGLT-2s
A 1-on-1 Academic Detailing session focusing on the topic described above:
– Analyze strategies for diabetes prevention
– Investigate the pharmacology of the diabetes drug classes: GLP-1s and SGLT-2s
– Formulate a framework for comprehensive diabetes care

Opioid Prescribing Topics – 2 topics in 2024

Diagnosing and Treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Learning Objectives:
– Review the diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder and other use disorders.
– Compare the three medications available to treat OUD.
– Discuss initiating and dosing buprenorphine formulations.
– Plan to incorporate Harm Reduction strategies for OUD treatment into practice.

Maine Controlled Substance Prescribing: 2024 Update
Learning Objectives:
– Review the “Universal Precautions” of prescribing controlled substances.
– Discuss Maine-specific laws and rules pertaining to prescribing opioids.
– Evaluate risks and benefits of legacy patients who are prescribed chronic opioids and benzodiazepines.
– Access the 2022 CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline’s recommendations.

The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live 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