Physician CME

In this online, self-learning activity: Blepharitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the eyelids, resulting in discomfort, redness, irritation, and the appearance of dandruff-like flakes on eyelashes. Demodex blepharitis is a specific subtype of blepharitis, where blepharitis is caused by an overgrowth of Demodex mites, which are normal facial skin flora. In other forms of blepharitis, the etiology may be bacterial colonization, allergies, or seborrheic dermatitis, whereas in Demodex blepharitis, the excessive growth of Demodex folliculorum or Demodex brevis is the driver of inflammation. Research suggests that Demodex blepharitis represents three out of five cases of blepharitis.

In this 1-hour (chapter-based) presentation, join a primary care practitioner and an obesity specialist as they navigate real-world conversations about weight management. Explore effective pharmacologic options and gain confidence in initiating weight loss discussions.

In this accredited activity, expert faculty, Adjoa Anyane‐Yeboa, MD, MPH, and Ugo Iroku, MD, MHS, dive into the issue of healthcare disparities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect minoritized and low-income groups, contributing to poor health outcomes. Patient-provider distrust, knowledge gaps, and lack of shared decision making contribute to health disparities in these patient groups and influence disease outcomes. It is critical for clinicians to understand the social determinants of health impacting IBD patient care and develop strategies to reduce disparities. In addition, implicit bias significantly affects clinician-patient interaction, as well as diagnosis and treatment decisions. Once clinicians are made aware of their implicit biases, they must work to overcome them and foster open communication with patients to reduce disparities and improve patient care.

In this 1-hour presentation, Dr. Charles Vega discusses the science behind multicancer early detection (MCED) testing and explores the benefits and limitations of MCED tests available for clinical use and undergoing investigation in clinical trials. Faculty also share practical clinical information on integrating MCED testing in current workflows, including identifying patients who are appropriate candidates for MCED testing, addressing patient concerns, and interpreting results. A guide to discussing MCED testing with patients is also provided.

In this accredited CME/CNE activity, cardiologist Dr. Matthew Martinez reviews key considerations and updates in the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Specifically, he explores the disease burden and the dire consequences of undiagnosed HCM, the difficulty in diagnosing HCM including lack of symptoms or presence of nonspecific symptoms, best practices for ordering echocardiograms, and guideline recommendations for treatment, including mavacamten. The informational session also discusses communicating with patients and caregivers/families.

Early identification of atypical motor patterns is crucial for timely intervention and optimizing developmental outcomes in infants. A simple yet effective method for assessing these patterns involves observing the baby during a 30-second, 4-position exam. This examination includes careful observation of the infant in the following positions:

* Supine: Note posture, spontaneous movements, and interaction with the environment.

* Horizontal Suspension: Observe head control, trunk extension, and limb movements against gravity.

* Pull to Sit: Assess head lag, trunk activation, and ability to assist with the movement.

* Prone: Evaluate head lifting, weight-bearing through the arms, and early mobility attempts. Gain valuable insights and download resources through this complimentary CME/CE course

Primary care clinicians and endocrinologists play a critical role in identifying and managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) before it progresses. Results from a Med-IQ survey, however, revealed that approximately half of the respondents screen only 50% or fewer of their patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Patients with these conditions or other risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, or elevated liver enzymes, should be screened using noninvasive tools like FIB-4, transient elastography (FibroScan), ELF, or VCTE.

Although lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of treatment, pharmacologic options such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, pioglitazone, and resmetirom may be appropriate based on individual risk profiles. Most patients can be effectively managed in primary care or endocrinology settings, with hepatology referral recommended for patients with a high risk of advanced fibrosis.

In this online, self-learning activity:

Over the past few decades, cultural competence has been defined in a variety of ways, including in the recent appearance of the closely related terms, cultural humility and cultural competemility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cultural competence is a “set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.” In the setting of healthcare, practicing cultural competence can improve the ability of HCPs to meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients, which may ultimately improve provider competence and health outcomes among diverse groups of patients with unique sociocultural identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.

This Community Practice Connections™ program provides an in-depth review of some of the key highlights from the meeting series on clinical challenges and new opportunities in managing myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that was held with the Association of Community Cancer Centers. This unique and engaging multimedia activity is ideal for the community-based clinician and focuses on the practical aspects of managing patients with lower- and higher-risk MDS. The program is designed for those who did not attend the live meetings and to help reinforce learnings for those who did.