Maybe It’s NOT Mechanical Back Pain: Get on the Fast Track to Identifying AxSpA A Multimedia eHealth Source™ Educational Initiative

Activity Overview

This program will educate learners through a self-directed approach. The program is structured to provide education that will assist rheumatology and dermatology healthcare professionals (HCPs) who treat axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in evaluating recent evidence pertaining to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of axSpA. Each of the 8 modules will provide a comprehensive overview on a topic relevant to the diagnosis or management of axSpA and an expert discussion concerning application of the information presented to clinical practice.

The goals of this program are to better prepare HCPs to recognize axSpA, understand how to treat axSpA based on latest guideline recommendations, and know how to apply current evidence concerning biologic therapies.

Intended Audience and CME/CE Credits

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of primary care providers (PCPs), including family and internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs), as well as physiatrists, physical therapists (PTs), chiropractors, orthopedists, and pain medicine specialists.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

Identify patients with inflammatory back pain and correlate clinical findings with AxSpA historical features, manifestations, and comorbidities
Select guideline-recommended imaging modalities for provisional diagnosis of AxSpA
Provide early referral of patients with diagnosed or clinically suspected AxSpA to rheumatologists for diagnostic confirmation and targeted treatment of AxSpA
Discuss the psychosocial and occupational impacts of AxSpA
Participate in interprofessional communication and collaboration to optimize patient care

Faculty

Marina Magrey, MD
Division Chief, Rheumatology
University Hospitals (UH) Cleveland Medical Center
Professor
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine
Cleveland, Ohio

Shireesh Bhalerao, MCR, DC
Chiropractic Physician & Owner
Equilibrium, LLC
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Chiropractic Sciences
University of Western States (UWS)
Founder, TULIP Seminars
Portland, Oregon
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Charis Hill
Disability Advocate
Rheumatology Professional
AxSpA Patient
Sacramento, California

Angelo Papachristos, BSc PT, MBA
Advance Practice Physiotherapist
Unity Health Toronto – St. Michael’s Hospital
Clinical Lecturer
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario

Ben Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Associate Director, Assistant Professor
School of Physician Assistant Practice
Florida State University College of Medicine
Tallahassee, Florida
Rheumatology PA
McIntosh Clinic, P.C.
Thomasville, Georgia