Description 

To increase appropriate use of long-acting injectables (LAI), this 12-week virtual learning collaborative will focus on increasing use of LAIs to serve the needs of patients with serious mental illness.  LAIs are associated with decreased risks of relapse, improvements in symptoms, functioning, and patient satisfaction.   

This collaborative is intended for clinicians who want to optimize LAI use for their patients. Through the 12-week activity, participants will increase access to LAIs using the following steps:  improving knowledge about the various formulations of LAIs, their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, considering patient eligibility for LAIs, developing an effective strategy for having a conversation about LAIs, monitoring for side effects of LAIs and manage them if they occur, and successfully treating breakthrough symptoms for people taking LAIs.  

By the end of the learning collaborative, participants will increase their knowledge about LAIs, and may more effectively discuss with their patients the risks and benefits of these medications.   

Program Schedule  

The facilitated 12-week syllabus will be held from September 11, 2023 to December 17, 2023. No content will be released during the weeks of October 9 and November 20, 2023. 

Please note you must complete all 7 modules in order to claim credit for this course. 

 Learning objectives:  

• Identify patients who are appropriate candidates for long-acting injectables.  
• Utilize evidence-based strategies for managing side effects for people taking LAIs (including parkinsonism, akathisia, weight gain, hyperprolactinemia, and cardiometabolic side effects).  
• Determine considerations for special patient populations who take LAIs, including people with first-episode psychosis, older adults, and pregnant women.  
• Develop a plan to effectively utilize LAIs to improve care for patients with SMI.  

Pricing  

FREE - $0  

Target Audience  

Licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, PAs, Pharmacists 

Instructional Level 

Intermediate 

Estimated Time to Complete 

Estimated Duration: 15.0 hours  

Program Start Date: September 11, 2023 

Program End Date: December 17, 2023 

Credit Available Until: February 15, 2024 

Note: This course has a 12-week syllabus, divided into six two-week blocks. Credit must be claimed within 60 days of the end of the last session.  

How to Earn Credit 

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™, nursing continuing professional development contact hours (NCPD, formerly CNE), continuing pharmacy education, or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including live group meetings and the post-course evaluation. Participants claiming CPE must have full attendance at a live group meeting to claim credit for that meeting. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians), NCPD certificate (nurses), CPE certificate (pharmacists) or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the date of completion and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit 

In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  

Physicians  

The APA designates this blended activity for a maximum of 15.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Nurses/Nurse Practitioners 

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this activity for a maximum of 15.0 Nursing contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Pharmacists 

This curriculum has been approved for 15.0 contact hour (1.5 CEUs) by the American Psychiatric Association.  The American Psychiatric Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The Universal Activity Number for this program is JA0000145-0000-23-003-H01-P. This learning activity is application-based. Your CE credits will be electronically submitted to NABP upon successful completion of the activity. Pharmacists with questions can contact NABP customer service (custserv@nabp.net).     

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.  

Instructors 

• Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Planners 

• John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.    
• Teri Brister, PHD, LPC, National Alliance for Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.    
• Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, University of Texas at Austin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.    
• Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.