Introduction

Despite the fact that reports of sexual dysfunction are more prevalent among women (39%) than among men (28%), very few women who desire help for their sexual dysfunction actually receive that help. In contrast, men are twice as likely to receive help from their clinicians for their sexual dysfunctions. The current trend toward a greater overall awareness and openness about female sexual dysfunction has not yet made female patients any less reluctant to initiate sexual health discussions with their providers. Participants in this live, interactive program will be provided with guidelines, demonstrations, and practice in how to comfortably incorporate sexual health discussions into visits with their female patients. This activity will provide an overview of diagnosis and potential treatments for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a distressing reduction of sexual desire that is the most frequently reported sexual dysfunction among women. Healthy sexual function significantly raises a woman's sense of well-being and quality of life, and improving sexual health is an important goal in providing health care for female patients.

Introduction

Cease Smoking Today (CS2day) is a nine-partner collaborative designed to reduce the number of persons who smoke and decrease morbidity and mortality from smoking-related illness. Physician assistants often are the primary point of care for many patients, allowing them to focus on health promotion and disease prevention.

Introduction

Gout is estimated to affect 1% of men in the Western world with a male to female ratio ranging from 7:1 to 9:1. A full understanding of the epidemiology, clinical features, and history of gout has evolved over >2 millennia of scientific inquiry. Over the last half of the twentieth century, a clinical understanding has emerged to encompass the pathogenesis of gout and the pathophysiology of gouty inflammation. The use of polarized light microscopy in clinical practice can now identify urate crystals in the synovial fluid, permitting a definitive diagnosis. The development of drugs capable of suppressing gouty inflammation and hyperuricemia has given healthcare providers the opportunity to prevent and, in some cases, reverse the effects of this condition.

Introduction

Probiotics are considered "friendly" bacteria because they can provide health benefits when consumed regularly. In many ways, they function similarly to the bacteria that already exist in your gut, such as by providing a physical barrier to the lining of the intestinal tract. Sometimes, our natural gut bacteria can be disrupted by factors such as stress, illness, diet, antibiotic use, and aging. Consuming probiotics can help restore a balance of "good" to "bad" bacteria in these situations. Most of the evidence for probiotics shows that they may impact intestinal function, immunity, and intestinal disorders. This program will provide Physician Assistants with a background on probiotics as well as an overview of the potential health benefits associated with their consumption. Leading researchers will examine the mechanisms behind how they function in promoting health. The audience will become familiar with emerging research in the field of probiotics and will gain practical knowledge as to how they can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.

Introduction

The "You be the Judge" courtroom style CME symposium provides a unique audience interactive format for attendees to hear two faculty "counselors" (physician assistants) discuss the best approach to managing patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Content provides a scientifically sound, fair and balanced overview of therapeutic options currently available or in development to manage patients with T2DM. The proceedings are moderated by "the judge" who will challenge the counselors to document their evidence-based statements and consider objections from the opposing counsel as well as the audience! In fact the audience at the symposium served as the "jury pool" and was asked to make a final jury verdict (via audience response system) at the completion of the symposium.

Introduction

The incidence of diabetes in the United States is increasing rapidly, affecting more than 23.5 million people over the age of 20, comprising 10.7% of that population. Of particular concern in this patient population are the macrovascular complications that significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiac events. In this program, leading clinicians discuss how exercise and weight loss can help maintain lipid and glycemic control to prevent these events. Presentations also address the limitations of currently available treatments that address glucose levels, but have not been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. The incretin system is reviewed, and incretin-based therapies that are intended to restore the natural physiologic balance are assessed, with evidence from trials that show their affect on cardiometabolic markers. The physician assistant plays a crucial role in patients with diabetes, encouraging them to make better lifestyle choices, adhere to medications, and educating them on the larger goals of their treatment to reduce their cardiovascular risk profile.