BCPPs who value and learn through case-based literature offering therapeutic advice on both evidence and longstanding clinical experience are the target audience for this product. New and experienced BCPPs desiring insights into the strategies of clinical decision-making used by expert clinicians will find value in this product as the articles focus on disease states, their pharmacotherapy, and the synthesis of solutions to challenges that require judgement(s) founded on evidence but modified or tempered by extensive clinical experience and practicalities of "real world" necessities.
Content
Psychopharmacology Pearls is an application-based continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activity that allows users to gain greater insights into the strategies of clinical decision-making used by expert clinicians through four clinical articles developed and distributed annually via AAPP's peer-reviewed journal, The Mental Health Clinician (MHC). The articles developed for the Pearls product are not designed to replace typical review articles. Instead, they are meant to focus on a single disorder, or on one or more distinct aspects of a single psychiatric, neurologic, or substance use disorder, offering therapeutic advice based on both evidence and clinical expert experience.
Articles are authored by experts in the field and provide references that serve to highlight both the evidence base available and also challenging areas of clinical care. Articles reflect the views and practice of each author, who are required to call attention to both evidence-based facts as well as opinion and experience.
An application-based CPE activity requires that participants apply the information learned. In an application-based CPE activity, the learning objectives are written at a higher level in order to assess the learner's ability to use the information that is learned, at the expected level of practice of Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists. The examination for this product often features cases requiring that the participant apply the principles learned through the readings.
The Psychopharmacology Pearls product includes:
Four (4) articles in an electronic format.
Five (5) hours of ACPE credit and 5 hours of BCPP Recertification credit achieved by successfully completing the online AAPP recertification examination. ACPE credit is reported to CPE Monitor at nabp.net within 48 hours after successful completion of the examination. BCPP Recertification credit is earned and reported within the year the assessment is successfully completed (2024 or 2025).
Access to the AAPP testing center with exam submission due by June 12, 2025.
Course Requirements
To satisfactorily complete the Psychopharmacology Pearls and receive 5 hours of BCPP Recertification and ACPE credit, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Abide by a confidentiality and honesty statement requiring individual completion of the recertification education.
Successfully complete an online examination on or before the deadline of June 12, 2025.
Meet the minimum passing score on the final examination as determined by a panel of experts.
You will proceed through the following steps to satisfactorily complete this course:
Sign in (or create a FREE account).
Register for this course.
Complete the pre-test before starting the activity.
Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
Wait for the official review of exam questions within 4 weeks following the closing date.
Receive a passing grade (as determined by a panel of experts within 4 weeks following the closing date).
Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Credit is awarded in the calendar year the assessment is completed. AAPP reports continuing credit for ACPE (CPE Monitor) and BCPP Recertification (BPS) within days of successful exam completion.
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Learning Objectives
Suicide Risk Identification, Evaluation and Mitigation in Chronic Pain Patients
Apply risk mitigation strategies to patients with suicidality who are taking opioids for complex pain syndromes.
Determine an appropriate opioid taper for a patient with chronic pain and suicidality based on patient-specific factors.
Recommend a treatment plan, including modifiable risk factors, for a patient experiencing suicidality related to chronic pain.
Safety considerations for patients with cannabis use disorder
Evaluate the risks associated with cannabis use.
Choose evaluation tools and strategies to monitor for toxicity in patients with cannabis use disorder.
Apply available evidence and/or clinical experience to provide recommendations related to cannabis interactions in patients with cannabis use disorder.
Create education strategies to discuss risks of cannabis with cannabis use disorder patients, families, and/or caregivers.
Clinical experience and treatment considerations with VMAT inhibitors
Educate patients on the potential risks and benefits of VMAT2i therapy.
Design a therapeutic treatment plan for a patient initiating VMAT2i treatment.
Assess the evidence for use of VMAT2i outside of Food and Drug Administration approved labeling.
Prevention, reduction of risk factors, identification, and treatment approaches for delirium in dementia
Apply evidence and/or expert opinion to design appropriate delirium prevention interventions for individuals living with dementia.
Interpret clinical features of delirium superimposed in dementia by utilizing diagnostic criteria, validated tools, patient history and caregiver interviews.
Recommend treatment options for common or complex clinical situations for patients with delirium superimposed on dementia.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates:12/12/2024 - 06/12/2025 ACPE Contact Hours: 5 ACPE Numbers: 0284-0000-24-042-H01-P (Application), 0284-0000-24-043-H01-P (Application), 0284-0000-24-044-H01-P (Application), 0284-0000-24-045-H01-P (Application) Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for certification renewal.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The Psychopharmacology Pearls product is an application-based program approved for 5 ACPE contact hours. To receive ACPE credit, pharmacists completing this programming are required to complete an evaluation of the course as well as pass an online examination.
Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs) may also receive 5 hours of BCPP Recertification Credit for the Psychopharmacology Pearls upon successful completion of an online examination.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is approved as a Professional Development Provider for the Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) specialty by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). This course is part of a 5 hour BCPP recertification product earned after successful completion of the associated BCPP recertification examination for the full product.
AAPP reports continuing credit for ACPE (CPE Monitor) and BCPP Recertification (BPS) within days of successful exam completion.
AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.
The articles in this learning activity were developed by the authors in conjunction with the planning committee. Each article subsequently was peer-reviewed and copyedited by the Mental Health Clinician (MHC) prior to publication. As a scholarly journal, the MHC utilizes external double-blind peer review such that reviewer details are not presented here. MHC Editorial Board policies are online.
Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information and disclosures). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.
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The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The Psychopharmacology Pearls product is an application-based program approved for 5 ACPE contact hours. To receive ACPE credit, pharmacists completing this programming are required to complete an evaluation of the course as well as pass an online examination.