Free Primary Care CME

In this online, self-learning activity:

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening disease due to C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency with an estimated prevalence of 5,000 people in the U.S. and over 116,000 worldwide. HAE is characterized by recurrent edema, and the cutaneous attacks can be disabling, with the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and upper airways are most commonly affected. Patients are also under persistent risk of laryngeal swelling that may prove fatal if not treated in a timely manner. The disease is classified as: HAE with normal functional C1INH protein (previously known as type III HAE) or HAE due to a deficiency of C1INH protein, with the latter further distinguished either by deficiency in both concentrations and function of C1INH (type I) or by normal levels of dysfunctional C1INH (type II). Owing to its rarity and symptomatic overlap with other conditions, patients not uncommonly experience a diagnostic delay of 8 to 10 years, putting them at a higher risk of inappropriate treatment, morbidity, and mortality.

Target Audience:
HCPs including: allergists, immunologists, emergency medicine specialists, and internists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists specializing in immunology; and any other HCPs who have an interest in or otherwise clinically encounter patients with HAE.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2D) is an ultrarare mitochondrial disease caused by recessive mutations in the TK2 gene and manifesting as a form of mitochondrial DNA depletion/deletion syndrome (MDDS) and mitochondrial myopathy. Under normal conditions, the TK2 gene encodes for the thymidine kinase enzyme present in the mitochondria, which is responsible for the phosphorylating of pyrimidine nucleosides, deoxythymidine, and deoxycytidine. These are the first steps in mitochondrial DNA synthesis, and researchers speculate that TK2 mutations affect muscle tissue because its higher energy demands make it most susceptible to mitochondrial impairment. Mutational analyses of patients with MDDS have found that approximately 15% have TK2 mutations, which may be extrapolated to about 600 to 2,700 individuals in the US.

Target Audience:

HCPs including but not limited to: neurologists, pediatric neurologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and medical geneticists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and nurses who practice in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and any other HCPs with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with TK2D.

Acromegaly is an endocrine disorder characterized by dysregulated hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH), usually caused by a GH-secreting, pituitary adenoma and leading to an overproduction of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Estimated to have a prevalence of 2.8 to 13.7 cases per 100,000, acromegaly is not as common as other endocrine disorders. However, its incidence is increasing, and it has a significant impact on patient quality of life, with clinical features that include: acral enlargement; facial feature and oral changes; headache; significant fatigue, including daytime sleepiness; hyperhidrosis; oily and thicker skin; weight gain; and arthralgia. Approximately 25 percent of people with acromegaly have elevated blood pressure, and 50 percent have evidence of insulin resistance, putting them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future. The mortality rates of acromegaly patients are three times higher than the general population, with most dying from respiratory or cardiac complications.

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

• Implement routine OSA screening for patients with obesity and other OSA risk factors.
• Identify tools that can aid in screening patients for OSA.
• Initiate diagnostic workups for patients with suspected OSA.
• Evaluate results from OSA diagnostic studies.
• Implement multidisciplinary approaches to formulate tailored management strategies for OSA that account for patient preferences and new therapeutic options.

Pri-Med is committed to supporting you in meeting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) CME training requirements under the MATE Act. The free CME courses offered here focus on opioid and substance use disorders and can be combined in any way to complete the eight-hour training mandate. 

Understanding pharmacologic management of disease is a crucial aspect of providing high-quality medical care. Our courses offer practical guidance on pharmacologic management of disease processes to avoid potentially negative interactions between substances. Choose from a variety of free pharmacology CME/CE courses to improve care for your patients. Earn credits at no cost today.

Pri-Med offers a diverse library of physician assistant CME/CE, providing clinically focused education for every stage of your career. Whether you’re a newly practicing physician assistant transitioning from the classroom to the exam room or an experienced clinician, you’ll find the resources you need to grow professionally.

Physicians specializing in Allergy or Dermatology.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:
In this online, self-learning activity:

Health disparities are defined as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by populations that have been disadvantaged by their social or economic status, geographic location, and environment.” According to the landmark 2002 report by the Institute of Medicine, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, even when access-related factors are accounted for, racial and ethnic minorities receive a lower quality of health care than White patients. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also releases an annual National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report showing White patients receive a better quality of care and experience better health outcomes compared to non-Whites.

Target Audience:
HCPs including: physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and any other clinician involved in providing patient care.

Pri-Med’s P.A.C.T. Update: Practical Approaches to Comprehensive Treatment of Pain 2024-25 curriculum focuses on improving practitioners’ ability to recognize, diagnose, and classify pain; educating clinicians on the full spectrum of pain management options, including non-opioid pharmacologic interventions; and providing risk reduction strategies through integration of opioids into individualized pain management plans. Clinicians will learn to recognize signs and symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse in order to optimally manage patients’ pain and medication use.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the definitions and mechanisms of pain
• Identify risk factors and stratification for opioid-related aberrant behavior and opioid use disorder as part of the initial assessment
• Apply individualized recommendations for nonpharmacologic and non-opioid treatment options for patients in pain
• Review general characteristics of opioid analgesics including their intended use and risks
• Differentiate among tolerance, physical dependence, and manifestations of opioid use disorder
• Recognize best practices to reduce the risks associated with prescription of opioid analgesics, including safe storage and disposal
• Anticipate and manage adverse effects of opioid use including signs of opioid overdose and the use of naloxone
• Select approaches to safely initiate opioids for the treatment of acute pain and chronic pain
• Identify strategies for ongoing safe and effective use of opioids in patients with chronic pain, including titration, referral, and discontinuation, when appropriate
• Summarize counseling strategies for caregivers and patients on opioid therapy
• Act appropriately to evaluate, treat, or refer patients with opioid use disorder

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) is a demyelinating, autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system. MOGAD is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against the MOG protein located on the surface of myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibers in the CNS. The disease course may be monophasic or relapsing, and a progressive course is extremely rare, making the mortality rate fairly low (2.1%) compared to other neuroinflammatory diseases. It is a relatively new addition to the category of demyelinating diseases, and approximately 10,000 cases of MOGAD are estimated within the U.S.

Explore Pri-Med’s comprehensive library of nurse practitioner CME/CE courses, designed to support clinicians at every stage of their career. Whether you’re a new nurse practitioner transitioning from training to practice or an experienced clinician seeking to deepen your expertise, Pri-Med offers a diverse range of clinically focused courses tailored to your needs. Enhance patient care and earn CME/CE credits with engaging, high-quality education—start today.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

The term human papillomavirus encompasses a family of DNA viruses that are sexually transmittable and may cause either benign or malignant lesions. They are the leading cause of cervical cancer (CC), with approximately 90% of CC cases attributable to HPV, as well as a major contributor to anogenital and head and neck cancers, although many patients infected with HPV will never develop any related symptoms or disease. The prevalence of HPV in the U.S. is 42.5 million people, and direct medical costs attributed to it are $775 million. HPV 16 accounts for a majority or plurality of HPV-related cancers of both genital tract and head and neck.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends HPV vaccination beginning as early as age nine for both sexes, with the schedule and number of doses dependent on age of first dose.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: Primary care physicians and pediatricians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and any other HCPs with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients who would benefit from HPV vaccination.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), characterized by misfolded and lower function of the serine protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), is a genetic disorder resulting in the degradation of lung structures. Reduced levels of AAT result in overactivity of neutrophil elastase, which destroys connectivetissue within the lung and causes degradation of alveoli, reduced pulmonary elastic recoil, and airflow. Breakdown of the alveoli eventually manifest as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and otherassociated complications include liver disease, which occurs in about ten percent of patients with AATD.The most common cause of death in patients with severe AATD is respiratory failure, which accounts for45 to 72% of deaths.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: pulmonologists and primary care physicians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists who practice in pulmonology and internal medicine; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients with AATD.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Dry eye disease (DED) is a condition with a diverse group of etiologies and whose common symptoms include discomfort or pain, visual disturbance, tear film instability, and ocular surface inflammation. Compared with those without the condition, patients with DED experience higher rates of loss of work productivity, impaired of daily activities, medical visits, and sleep and mood disorders, and worse emotion well-being and overall quality of life. Although the prevalence of DED varies based on a variety of patient factors, estimates place it as high as 20% of the adult population and more than 34% in the elderly. The aggregate U.S. economic impact is estimated be over $3 billion in direct medical expenses and $55 billion in indirect expenses annually. Nonetheless, DED is both underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: ophthalmology and optometry; physician assistants and nurse practitioners who practice or are interested in ophthalmology; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients with dry eye.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:
In this online, self-learning activity:

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by proliferation of abnormal clonal mastocytes, which accumulate in the skin and/or other organ systems. Mastocytosis, including SM, was reclassified as a distinct disease subtype in 2016, when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed mastocytosis from the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) group. The WHO defines 5 SM subtypes, ranging from indolent SM, which is associated with mild symptoms and near-normal life expectancy, to mast cell leukemia, which is an aggressive hematologic malignancy associated with median survival of less than 1 year.

Target Audience:
HCPs including: hematology/oncology specialists, allergists, and clinical immunologists, dermatologists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in those areas of specialty; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with systemic mastocytosis.

Target Audience: Cardiologists and PCPs; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, with overlaps in Endocrinology and Hematology depending on the course topic.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:
In this online, self-learning activity:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious pathogen belonging to the Pneumoviridae family that circulates seasonally with other respiratory viruses. The majority of the population is exposed to RSV, but children under the age of two years and older adults are at the greatest risk of significant morbidity and mortality. RSV infections are responsible for approximately 60-80% of pediatric bronchiolitis and 40% of pediatric pneumonia cases and are a major cause of global hospitalization and mortality. Almost 70% of children are exposed to RSV during their first year of life, and 90% are exposed within their first two years, resulting in an estimated 427,000 emergency department visits and 1.6 million pediatrician visits annually.

Target Audience:
HCPs including: Obstetricians, pediatricians, and family medicine physicians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists specializing in pediatrics; and any other HCPs involved or interested in the management of RSV in infants and high-risk children.

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online, self-learning activity:

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is an immune-mediated response that occurs in recipients of allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). GvHD can be further categorized into acute and chronic cases. Maculopapular rash, follicular erythema, epidermolysis, are common manifestations of acute GvHD, in addition to liver and gastrointestinal dysfunction such as hyperbilirubinemia, nausea, and diarrhea. This activity focuses on chronic GvHD, which has more extensive multi-organ involvement including the liver, eyes, mouth, lungs, skin, genitalia, and gastrointestinal tract.

Target Audience:

The following HCPs: hematologists and oncologists; nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists who specialize in oncology; and those who otherwise commonly care for or clinically encounter patients with GVHD.

Biosimilar drugs are products meant to be similar in quality, safety, and efficacy to an already licensed reference biotherapeutic product. Whereas generics are virtually identical replicas of conventional medications, biosimilars are not the same as the original product – a practically unavoidable outcome because of the considerably large molecular structure that biologics mimic. The literature suggests that learning activities focused on the evolving landscape of biosimilars, which are germane to the therapeutic area because of their potential role in cost containment. Both the FDA and medical literature independently affirm the need for clinician education on biosimilars, including:  comparative efficacy; adverse event rates and management (potential concerns have included immunogenicity); regulatory guidance on interchangeability and substitution – including prescribers retaining some degree of ability to intervene in a product’s substitution at the dispensing stage; and cost considerations.

Target Audience:

The following healthcare professionals: Rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, and primary care physicians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients with the inflammatory disease states covered by this activity.

By the end of the session the participant will be able to:

• Describe biosimilar drugs, how they differ from generic drugs, the FDA process for their approval.
• Describe practical considerations the clinician needs when determining whether to consider when deciding whether substituting or allowing the substitution of a biosimilar medication for its reference medication, and apply them to patient case(s).
• Describe how biosimilars for inflammatory health conditions are impacting the treatment landscape with respect to number of treatment options, affordability, and safety considerations.
• Identify the currently available and emerging pharmacotherapeutic treatments for management of inflammatory health conditions and apply them to patient cases using evidence-based medicine.
• Describe strategies for helping patients understand the implications of using biosimilars.