Upcoming Courses

Essential Psychopharmacology, 2017

Carl Salzman, MD

February 20, 2017 – February 24, 2017 | Naples, FL | The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club More Information

This course will provide a simplified and clinically relevant updated review of neurobiology and brain function. Areas of emphasis will include the psychopharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and borderline personality. The effectiveness of atypical and conventional anti-psychotic drugs as well as long acting new medications will be reviewed. Augmenting agents for schizophrenia will also be reviewed. The course will address strategies for bipolar patients who are noncompliant or treatment resistant; approaches to the acutely psychotic, recovering psychotic patient, and the concept of early intervention. The role of inflammation and its relationship to mood disorders will be emphasized. Psychiatric medications for the elderly will be reviewed, including dosage adjustments for age, drug interactions, and sensitivity to side effects. The role of psychopharmacology in the treatment of obsessive symptoms, panic symptoms, and traumatic syndromes will be emphasized. New information regarding the role of medications for substance abuse will be presented. In addition, the therapeutic role of stimulants for adult individuals with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses will be reviewed.

The course will emphasize the establishment and importance of therapeutic alliance when prescribing all psychotropic medications, the interplay between pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, benefits and hazards of prescriber/non-prescriber co-treatment relationships. Educational presentation will be in seminar format and include lectures, participant discussion and Q&A.

This course is designed so that participants will be able to:
  • Evaluate psychotropic drug treatment options with particular emphasis on recent advances
    and practical prescribing information;
  • Analyze the latest research in neurobiology and brain function;
  • Implement treatment strategies for depressive and bipolar patients, including bipolar patients
    who are noncompliant or treatment resistant;
  • Incorporate evidence-based approaches to treating acutely psychotic and recovering psychotic patients;
  • Determine when to implement medical switch versus augmentation strategies for treatment-resistant depression;
  • Analyze the role of psychopharmacology in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive symptoms,
    panic symptoms, and traumatic syndromes;
  • Consider the interplay between pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments;
  • Identify the mechanisms and treatment for alcohol and substance abuse disorders;
  • Determine the role of antidepressants in the life cycle of women;
  • Describe the use of stimulants in adult individuals with psychiatric disorders;
  • Identify mechanisms of sleep disorders and their effective psychopharmacologic treatment;
  • Review latest findings about inflammation and stress as they apply to the treatment of depression
    and anxiety spectrum disorders;
  • Update the clinical approach to problems in geriatric psychopharmacology with emphasis
    on newly emerging medication treatment;
  • Evaluate the role of inflammation in mood disorders;
  • Make dosage adjustments in the elderly for age, drug interactions, and sensitivity to side effects.

Additional Information

Monday, February 20, 2017
9:00 am – 12:15 pm
An updated and clinically relevant review of neurobiology as it applies to the etiology and pathology of psychiatric illness, and psychotropic drug treatment effects; the neurobiology of attachment biology and treatment of schizophrenia disorders; the new generation of antipsychotic drugs; clinical aspects of treatment: use of typical and atypical neuroleptics; concept of early intervention and prevention; Q&A
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Biology and treatment of schizophrenia disorders: the new generation of antipsychotic drugs; clinical aspects of treatment: use of typical and atypical neuroleptics; concept of early intervention and prevention; dual diagnosis; treatment of bipolar disorders. Q&A.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Depression; Neurobiology of Depression; diagnostic heterogeneity; what constitutes response; value of tricyclics; SSRI’s in perspective; new antidepressants; combination and augmentation strategies; new approaches to the bipolar patient. Q&A.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Anxiety, + panic, + OCD: Which drug, when to use; how much and for how long; rational benzodiazepine use; non-benzodiazepine strategies; use of hypnotics; PTSD. Q&A.
Friday, February 24, 2017
9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Diagnostic diversity and realistic pharmacologic treatment; geriatrics; antidepressants in life cycles of women; personality disorders: is there a role for psychopharmacology; dual diagnosis: alcohol/substance abuse and psychiatric disorders; psychotherapeutic issues: dynamic, behavioral, supportive; psychodynamics of prescribing; diverse meaning of medications. Q&A.

Beth Israel Deaconess Department of Psychiatry Foundation, Inc./Contact Hours: 15

Accreditation:

The Harvard Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Through an agreement between the American Medical Association and the European Union of Medical Specialists, physicians may convert AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to an equivalent number of European CME Credits® (ECMECs®). Information on the process of converting AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to ECMECs® can be found at: www.eaccme.eu.

Psychologists: The Continuing Education Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer Continuing education for psychologists. The Continuing Education Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, maintains responsibility for this program.

Counselors: The Continuing Education Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEPTM solely is responsible for all aspects of the program. The winter seminar programs meet the criteria for 15 clock hours.

Nurses: Applications have been made to the ANA-MA and accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Accreditation.

Social Workers:Applications for social work continuing education credits has been submitted.

Please call Stacy Ruiz at 617-754-1265 or e-mail sjruiz@bidmc.harvard.edu for more information about your credit hours