Fibromyalgia

Course Overview
This course provides an overview of the current understanding of the pathogenesis of and evidence-based approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is found in a substantial proportion of individuals with an autoimmune disease and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The discussion of diagnosis emphasizes differentiating characteristics and the need to evaluate patients for signs of other diseases that are frequently found concurrently. Throughout, evidence-based approaches are described, when available, and patient education is highlighted, as self-management is an essential component in the treatment of this chronic disorder.

Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Outline the assessment and diagnostic criteria established for fibromyalgia and discuss potential difficulties in establishing a diagnosis.
• Identify appropriate treatment modalities for patients with fibromyalgia, including patient education and follow-up needs.

About the Author/Presenter
Lori L. Alexander, MTPW, ELS, MWC, is President of Editorial Rx, Inc., which provides medical writing and editing services on a wide variety of clinical topics and in a range of media. A medical writer and editor for more than 30 years, Ms. Alexander has written for both professional and lay audiences, with a focus on continuing education materials, medical meeting coverage, and educational resources for patients. She is the Editor Emeritus of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Journal, the peer-review journal representing the largest association of medical communicators in the United States. Ms. Alexander earned a Master’s degree in technical and professional writing, with a concentration in medical writing, at Northeastern University, Boston. She has also earned certification as a life sciences editor and as a medical writer.

John M. Leonard, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed his post-graduate clinical training at the Yale and Vanderbilt University Medical Centers before joining the Vanderbilt faculty in 1974. He is a clinician-educator and for many years served as director of residency training and student educational programs for the Vanderbilt University Department of Medicine. Over a career span of 40 years, Dr. Leonard conducted an active practice of general internal medicine and an inpatient consulting practice of infectious diseases.

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE 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.

This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing, Physician

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