program overview
Program Description
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza is responsible for 9.3 to 49 million illnesses, 140,000 to 960,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000 to 79,000 deaths each year. Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing the flu and is recommended by the CDC for everyone 6 months of age and older. However, vaccines must be reformulated each year, and vaccine effectiveness is highly variable from year to year. Antiviral treatment may be indicated for patients with confirmed or suspected influenza who have severe illness or risk factors, or who require hospitalization, and for selected outpatients without risk factors. This activity is designed to update primary care NPs and PAs on differentiating the flu from other respiratory illnesses, using diagnostic testing appropriately, and employing antiviral medications most effectively.
Format
Interactive case study
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Differentiate the signs and symptoms of influenza virus infection from those of other respiratory illnesses and, when necessary, perform diagnostic testing in order to initiate early and appropriate therapy
- Select appropriate clinical criteria to guide treatment decisions using current antiviral medications
- Review clinical trial data regarding the efficacy and safety of novel antiviral therapies in late-stage development
Target Audience
NPs and PAs


DETAILS
Continuing Nursing Education Provider Unit, Boston University School of Medicine is
accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
This educational activity has been provided by Continuing Nursing Education Provider Unit, Boston University School of Medicine and jointly provided by Practicing Clinicians Exchange.
Contact hours: 1.0, which are eligible for 1.0 pharmacology credits.
Course director: Jason Worcester, MD, Boston University School of Medicine
CNE course advisor: Claire Murphy, MSN, NP-C, Boston University School of Medicine
This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid for one year from 3/31/2019. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
This series was cosupported by educational grants from AbbVie Inc.; Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.; Amgen; Biogen; Genentech; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Sanofi US; Sanofi US and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Genentech.
The opinions or views expressed in this continuing education activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Boston University School of Medicine, Continuing Education Alliance, Practicing Clinicians Exchange, or any educational supporter.
THIS CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. IN NO EVENT SHALL BOSTON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAM. IN NO EVENT SHOULD THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAM BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE. NO PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS BEING ESTABLISHED.
Boston University School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities to disclose all relevant relationships with commercial interests. This information is disclosed to CME activity participants. Boston University School of Medicine has procedures to resolve any apparent conflicts of interest. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any discussion of unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed.
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Dr Ison: consultant: Celltrion, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, Seqirus, Toyama/MediVector; consultant/Data and Safety Monitoring Board member: Shionogi.
The Planning Committee for this activity included Claire Murphy, MSN, NP-C, Carmela A. Townsend, DNP, MS/MBA, RN, Jason Worcester, MD, Jody Walker, MS, and Julie L. White, MS, of Boston University School of Medicine; and Ruth Cohen and Craig Borders of Practicing Clinicians Exchange. None of the aforementioned members of the Planning Committee have any relevant relationships to disclose.
Participants wishing to earn CE/CME credit must:
- Read the content
- Relate the content material to the learning objectives
- Complete the post-test and evaluation form
Successful completion of the post-test is required to earn CE/CME credit. Successful completion is defined as a cumulative score of at least 70%.
The estimated time to complete this activity is 1.00 hours.
Release date: March 31, 2019
Expiration date: March 30, 2020
Any internet connected computer or mobile device with any of the following browsers:
Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari
For Practicing Clinicians Exchange general information, please contact pce@practicingclinicians.com. For CME questions, please contact cme@bu.edu. The BUSM CME course code for this program is I.PCE18ser3a.
© 2019 Practicing Clinicians Exchange. All Rights Reserved. CPCE93318-7A