Provided by the American Epilepsy Society 
Recording Date: November 8, 2016
Release Date: November 11, 2016
Expiration Date: November 11, 2019
Review Date: March 27, 2020
Release Date: March 31, 2020
Expiration Date: September 30, 2021

Overview

The challenges of screening People with Epilepsy (PWE) for depression, cognitive issues, and/or sleep problems may include a combination of being uncomfortable with these issues and a lack of resources/ability to refer. Even so, the reality of the situation is stark: suicide rates are higher in PWE than the general population. Healthcare providers (HCPs) providing care for PWE need to be not just aware of the importance of screening for these quality of life issues but also be able to refer PWE to evidence-based self-management programs.

The Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) organization has developed the following evidence-based self-management programs for PWE: PEARLS, UPLIFT, HOBSCOTCH, and WebEase. HCPs providing care for PWE need to be aware of the importance of screening for these quality of life issues and be able to refer PWE to these evidence-based self-management programs. Join us for the first of these educational efforts to discuss the MEW depression self-management program.

Target Audience

Epileptologists, general neurologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, and medical social workers

Learning Objectives

Following participation in the activity, the learner should be able to:

• Restate the incidence and prevalence of depression and the suicide rate in People with Epilepsy (PWE).
• Identify currently available standardized and validated depression screening tools, and describe strategies for implementing their routine use in the delivery of health care to PWE.
• Review and discuss the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) evidence-based programs on depression: Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) and PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives).
• Access the MEW programs and discuss referral considerations.

Accreditation

The American Epilepsy Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

The American Epilepsy Society designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
International Credits: The American Medical Association has determined that non-US. licensed physicians who participate in this CME activity are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 0.5 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Faculty, Planning Committee, Reviewers’ Disclosures of Financial Relationships

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, the AES requires that any person who is in a position to control content of a CME activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships that they have with a commercial interest. The following individuals contributed to this activity’s content.

Faculty
Dennis Dlugos, M.D., Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Dlugos has indicated he has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.
Barbara C. Jobst, M.D., Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
Dr. Jobst discloses the following financial relationships:

• Neuropace, Inc.: Advisory committee member, sponsored research
• Centers for Disease Control: sponsored research
• National Insittutes of Health: sponsored research
• National Science Foundation: sponsored research
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency: sponsored research

Planners
Karen L. Secore, MS, APRN, CNRN, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
Ms. Secore has indicated she has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.
Debra L. Gist, MPH, FACEHP, American Epilepsy Society, Chicago, IL
Ms. Gist has indicated she has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

AES Staff
AES Staff involved in this activity have indicated they have no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

CME Reviewer
Jay Salpekar, MD, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Salpekar has disclosed the following relevant relationships:
Lundbeck: Investigator initiated study-research funding to institution only; contracted research

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest

It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All persons involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support of CME, the AES implemented the mechanisms of prospective peer review of this CME activity, to identify and resolve any conflicts. Additionally, the content of this activity is based on the best available evidence.

Unapproved Use Disclosure

The American Epilepsy Society requires CME authors to disclose to learners when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. Information about pharmaceutical agents/devices that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling may be contained in this activity.

Contact Information

For further information on this activity contact the American Epilepsy Society at education@aesnet.org or call 312.883.3800.

Policy on Commercial Support and Conflict of Interest

As an ACCME-accredited provider the American Epilepsy Society must ensure 100% compliance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities. The American Epilepsy Society has implemented mechanisms, prior to the planning and implementation of this CME activity, to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of this CME activity.
 

Disclosure of Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses

This educational activity may include references to the use of products for indications not approved by the FDA. Faculty have agreed to disclose intent to discuss any off-label, experimental, or investigational use of drugs, devices, or equipment or devices in their presentations. Furthermore, faculty have attested that all the recommendations involving clinical medicine they make in this activity will be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients; and, all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in their presentation in support or justification of a patient care recommendation will conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection and analysis. Faculty opinions expressed with regard to unapproved, investigational or experimental uses of products are solely those of the faculty and are not endorsed by the American Epilepsy Society.

Disclaimer

This CME activity is for educational purposes only and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the American Epilepsy Society. Reasonable efforts have been taken to present educational subject matter in a balanced, unbiased fashion, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each activity participant must always use his or her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label, investigational and/or experimental uses.