Continuing Education Program Helps Practitioners Distinguish Between Primary Care Needs & Multipl

HACKENSACK, N.J. - April 14, 2014 - PRLog -- The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) has partnered with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and CME Connections, LLC (formerly the Goodale-Coe Group) to produce two online educational courses entitled:  “Distinguishing Between Primary Care Needs and the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis:  A Collaborative Approach to Appropriate Referrals.”  These accredited programs are designed to help primary care providers distinguish between routine primary care needs and specific symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that may require referral to an MS specialist.

         The interactive programs present clinically relevant case studies related to medication choices, life style issues, and MS symptom management.  Specifically, they emphasize the importance of communication and collaboration among healthcare providers to improve the outcomes of patient care.

         Course content is based on material presented during the AANP 28th National Conference held at the Palazzo and Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Featured faculty includes Stephanie Agrella, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, MSCN, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Director of Clinical Services,
Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas;

B. L. “Nick” Burnett, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, BC, FAANP,
Clinic Manager, Family Nurse Practitioner,
State Center, Iowa;

Edward Fox, MD, PhD, FAAN,
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas; and Lori Mayer, MSN, DNP(c), MSCN, CCRP,
Director of Medical Research Services,
Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas


         ‘With the Affordable Care Act becoming a reality, the role of NPs and PAs in caring for patients with diseases that have variable courses like multiple sclerosis will continue to expand in all chronic illnesses, particularly MS.  We are excited to partner with the CMSC to offer this program to our members and to provide a better understanding of what can be treated in a primary care setting and what needs to be referred to a MS specialist,” said Anne Norman, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Associate Vice President of Education at the AANP.

         The faculty for the AAPA course includes Scott Newsome, DO, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Director of Neurology Outpatient Services, John Hopkins University; Bryan Walker, MHS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science; and Kathy Costello, MS, ANP-BC, MSCN, formerly Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neuroimmunology, and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital and currently the Associate Vice President, Clinical Care Advocacy, Services and Research Department, National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

         “PAs practice medicine in every medical setting and specialty, and are treating patients with MS.  Having access to the latest information on the basic and advanced fundamentals of MS diagnosis and treatment will help PAs become stronger members of the MS patient’s health care team,” said Mike Saxton, MEd, CCMEP, FACME; Chief Learning Officer at the AAPA.

         For more information and to register for the “Distinguishing Between Primary Care Needs and the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis:  A Collaborative Approach to Appropriate Referrals,” CME/CE activity courses for NPs through AANP CE Center (https://cecenter.aanp.org/) and       available to PAs through AAPA’s Learning Central (https://cme.aapa.org/Activity/2589116/Detail.aspx). The courses can also be accessed through www.freecme.com.