online continuing medical education courses

Course Descriptions:

Genomic Medicine: Family History Family health history is one of the best tools currently available to identify individuals who are at increased risk for common diseases such as breast cancer, colon cancer and clotting disorders. This course provides an overview of the types of questions to ask, a refresher on how to draw a pedigree, and some general guidelines you can use to stratify your patients into three categories; those who are at average risk and can follow the population screening guidelines, those at familial risk and who should consider increased surveillance and other strategies to decrease their risk for disease, and those who are likely to have an identifiable hereditary syndrome and may benefit from a referral for genetic services. (Supporting Materials)

 

Genomic Medicine: Inherited Hypercoagulable States Only 10 percent of individuals with factor V Leiden, the most common inherited form of thrombophilia, will develop a venous thromboembolism (VTE) in their lifetime. This, and the fact that long-term anticoagulation therapy is not recommended for the majority of individuals with an inherited predisposition to thrombosis, are two reasons population screening is not recommended for the inherited hypercoagulable states. This course presents The Genomedical Connection’s guidelines for genetic testing based on a patient’s medical and family health history. The American College of Pathologists guidelines for informed consent prior to testing are covered. The recommended duration of anticoagulation therapy after a VTE is also covered, along with prophylactic treatment guidelines during pregnancy.  (Supporting Materials)

Genomic Medicine: Breast Cancer Breast cancer occurs sporadically. It can also be familial or it can occur as part of a hereditary breast cancer syndrome. One way to identify your patients' risk for breast cancer is to collect their medical and family history and determine what, if any, risk factors they have that increase their risk for this disease. A list of questions and guidelines are included in this course to help you take a targeted family history and stratify your patients into risk categories. Follow-up recommendations are also provided for individuals in each of the three risk categories along with a brief discussion of how to facilitate a referral to a genetic counselor and patient handouts that review such things as the pros and cons of chemoprevention.  (Supporting Materials)

Genomic Medicine: Colorectal Cancer Colon cancer screening recommendations are based on an individual’s personal and family health history. This course will help you identify the patients in your practice whose family histories are consistent with familial colon cancer, and who would benefit from colon cancer screening beginning at age 40. The characteristics of the most common inherited colorectal cancer syndromes are also presented along with the recommended follow-up to reduce the risk for disease. (Supporting Materials)

 

Steps for Accessing Courses:

1. Go to www.aheconnect.com/genomic_medicine

2. Click on the New Users tab to create a personal user account

3. Login to the system

4. Select a course from the Courses tab and follow the registration process.

5. Access the course from the Courses Pending listing on your personal MyCE area (available on the menu bar after login)

The first powerful step you can take in your Connection process is to complete the Genomedical connection “MeTree.”

Click here to print your own MeTree.

Then, talk to your family, and talk to your doctor.