The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) and the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) have launched a joint educational program entitled Screening, Treatment, and Management of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS). This comprehensive program offers CME modules and associated activities and materials for targeted practitioners whose female—and male—patients suffer from the symptoms of this little understood condition.
For more information, please contact ARHP at education@arhp.org or (202) 466-3825.
Background
While the exact prevalence is extremely difficult to assess, it is estimated that at least one million Americans suffer from IC/PBS, most of them women.1 An extremely difficult and uncomfortable condition, IC/PBS can seriously impact an individual’s quality of life, even leaving some individuals homebound by their pain and frequent need to urinate. At the same time, there seem to be more questions arising about IC/PBS than answers. With no definitive test for IC/PBS—diagnoses are generally made by ruling out other conditions—many patients spend years trying to understand the source of their pain and discomfort. Significant discussion is needed to better understand this misunderstood condition, raise disease awareness, and improve care.
Program Design and Educational Activities
The program commenced with the Definition Meeting of Interstitial Cystitis Experts on February 10, 2007 in Washington, DC. This meeting brought together a diverse group of multidisciplinary health care providers, including ob/gyns, urologists, urogynecologists, pain specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other experts in the field. The goal of the meeting was to develop clear and consistent definition language, which is essential to ensuring that patients receive optimum care and full access to medications, diagnostic methods, and, of course, insurance and other types of financial benefits. The highlights of the meeting, recommendations, and additional educational and practical content informed the development of other program activities. The discussion and majority statements of the meeting are summarized in a white paper, Outcome of the Washington, DC, Consensus Meeting on Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Meeting of Researchers, Clinicians, and Patients.
Other program components which are informed by the Definition Meeting and white paper include:
Curriculum Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the medical education sessions, participants will be able to:
- Define interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).
- Identify the characteristic symptoms of IC/PBS.
- List six tools frequently used in the basic assessment of IC/PBS.
- Identify the three basic components of IC/PBS management.
- Identify four elements of counseling for individuals with IC/PBS.
Intended Audience and Accreditation
Educational offerings have been developed for health care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, pharmacists, and other professionals) and patients to help better recognize and treat IC/PBS.
The curriculum/live sessions, webinars, and Clinical Proceedings associated with this program are accredited for continuing medical education, nursing contact hours, pharmacology, and pharmacist credits.
Funding
The project has been made possible through an independent educational grant from Ortho Women’s Health and Urology.
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Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/interstitial-cystitis/DS00497. Accessed December 1, 2006.
