This activity provides a means for physician assistants who are managing diverse populations to learn from experts in the field of seasonal and pandemic influenza. All health care professionals require seasonally updated information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of influenza. Preparation for flu season includes an understanding of current epidemiological trends, immunization efforts, and treatment options. This understanding will also aid in influenza pandemic preparedness in the event of an outbreak.

This activity targets physician assistants.

• Using data from prior influenza outbreaks, participants will learn to assess risks for influenza in specific patient populations and plan and implement measures based on these risks
• Participants will learn to develop and implement programs that will improve the success of seasonal immunization practices
• Based on current treatment guidelines and expert recommendations, participants will learn to plan strategies for the therapeutic control of seasonal and pandemic influenza

This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of two hours of AAPA Category I CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Approval is valid for one year from the issue date of July 2007. Participants may submit the self-assessment at any time during that period.

This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Enduring Material Programs and for Commercial Support of Enduring Material Programs.

In order to resolve any identified conflicts of interest, disclosure information is provided during the planning process to ensure resolution of any identified conflicts. Disclosure of faculty and commercial relationships, as well as the discussion of unlabeled or unapproved use of any drug, device or procedure by the faculty, is made known below.

Lawrence Herman, PA-C , MPA

• Physician Assistant Herman has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.

Andrew T. Pavia, MD

• Dr Pavia has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.
• References may be made in Dr Pavia’s presentation to unapproved and/or investigational drugs for influenza.

Gregory A. Poland, MD

• Dr Poland holds research grants from Protein Sciences, Merck and Co., University of Minnesota, CDC, and NIH. He is a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Co., CSL Biotherapies, and Powdermed.

The employees of HealthMatters Communications have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.

Internet Activity

Windows

• Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista
• IE 5.0 or later/Netscape 7/Mozilla 1.5/Opera 7/Firefox
• Flash 7 or later

Macintosh

• OS X
• Safari/Mozilla 1.5
• Flash 7 or later

Internet Connection

• Minimum connection of 56Kbps
  
  

The content of Dr Gregory Poland’s presentation is the copyrighted property of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research or the original copyright holder. The content of the presentations of PA Herman and Dr Pavia remains the copyrighted property of the original copyright holders, and is presented in this activity with the express permission of PA Herman and Dr Pavia.