CME Information

Article Outline

• Creating Optimism in Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Statement of Need
  • Program Overview
  • Target Audience
  • Accreditation Statement
  • Mission Statement
  • Statement of Responsibility
  • Credit Designation
  • Course Format
  • Educational Objectives
  • Off-Label Product Discussion
  • Disclaimer Statement

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Creating Optimism in Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

Statement of Need 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem in the United States, where it is the fourth leading cause of death. Not only is COPD underdiagnosed, but many clinicians also believe that COPD is completely or almost completely irreversible, and that, as a result, little can be done to improve their patients’ condition.

Program Overview 

This continuing medical education (CME) program reviews and discusses COPD as a disease state, including its pathophysiology, growing prevalence, diagnosis, clinical evidence, appropriate application of treatment guidelines, and best practices for disease management and patient outcomes.

This program also considers the prevention of COPD, including various risk factors, diagnostic challenges, integration of spirometry into diagnosis, and the importance of smoking cessation efforts. Also discussed are pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment strategies for optimal management of COPD; practice management in primary care to allow improved disease management, patient care, and outcomes; and communication techniques to use with COPD patients that will create improved physician–patient dialogue without increasing time spent with patients.

Target Audience 

This CME activity has been planned for pulmonary healthcare professionals and primary care physicians managing COPD in their patients. Healthcare professionals assessing and treating respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema with airflow obstruction in their patients, or seeking to differentially diagnose COPD versus asthma, or providing smoking cessation counseling and treatment, may be particularly interested in this program. There are no special prerequisites for participants in this program.

Accreditation Statement 

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Mission Statement 

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) is committed to presenting new research knowledge and its application to healthcare and disease prevention for physicians and allied health professionals. Under the clinical and scientific guidance of the Johns Hopkins faculty, the CME office sponsors varied learning opportunities for medical professionals.

Statement of Responsibility 

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine OCME takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this supplement.

Credit Designation 

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course Format 

The Journal supplement is estimated to take up to 4 hours (including taking the posttest and completing the activity evaluation).

Educational Objectives 

At the conclusion of this CME-accredited activity, participants should be able to:

Off-Label Product Discussion 

The articles by Wise and Tashkin entitled “Preventing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: What Is Known and What Needs to Be Done to Make a Difference to the Patient?” and “Optimizing Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Assessment of Current Therapies” contain references to unlabeled/unapproved uses of the following drugs or products: albuterol, pirbuterol, levalbuterol, and formoterol.

Disclaimer Statement 

The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this program are their own. This enduring material is produced for educational purposes only. Use of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine name implies review of educational format design and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combination of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings and adverse effects before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.

This supplement is based on the educational program “Creating Optimism in Managing Pulmonary Disease,” which was developed by a team of nationally known opinion leaders in the field of pulmonary disease to raise awareness and dispel misperceptions about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Editorial board members include Bruce Gardner, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Attending Physician, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington; Heidi E. Hamilton, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Linguistics, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia; Fernando J. Martinez, MD, MSPH, Professor of Internal Medicine, Director, Pulmonary Diagnostic Services, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Donald P. Tashkin, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, and Hospitalists, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; and David Tinkelman, MD, Vice President for Health Initiatives, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado; and Robert A. Wise, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

“Creating Optimism in Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” is presented by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Johns Hopkins thanks Health Learning Systems (HLS), part of CommonHealth for collaborating on the management of this program.

Release Date: August 2007

Expiration Date: August 31, 2008

Estimated Time to Complete This Educational Activity: 4 hours