WOEMA is a regional component of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), and is dedicated to high quality medical care and ethical principles governing the practice of occupational medicine.
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CME Webinars
Speaker:
Opioid Use Guidlines for Chronic Pain Treatment
Duration: 00:60:00
According to the California Workers' Compensation Institute there is considerable variation in the prescribing patterns of physicians in the workers compensation arena. This variation leads to a significant burden on the workers' compensation system by driving the costs of medications, prolonging disability, and increasing the duration of claims. In the recent past there was a concerted effort to increase the use of narcotic medications and to avoid "under-treatment" of pain. The belief at the time was that the risk of addiction to narcotic medications was very low for all patients in pain. This has been shown to be incorrect as evidenced by the escalation in the numbers of people addicted to prescription pain medications and/or made dysfunctional due to use of these substances, as well as the increased numbers of related deaths. Despite this evidence, barriers to change still exist. These include the fear of litigation as well the fact that, until recently, there was a lack of evidence-based guidelines designed for primary care providers prescribing opioid prescription medications. This webinar is designed to help office-based providers best manage patients with work-related injuries who may require opioid medications.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Fibromyalgia
Duration: 00:60:00
Fibromyalgia is a condition that is difficult for many to understand. Many physicians do not believe it is a true condition, and most patients feel that "it is in their head". These beliefs are due to a poor understanding of Fibromyalgia, which in turn results in inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of the condition. It is a cause of considerable morbidity to patients, and has high indirect costs to healthcare. Dr. Desai will give an overview of the 21st century understanding of Fibromyalgia and the significant research that has been done on this condition, which shows that Fibromyalgia truly is a condition that is literally "in the patient's head"!
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Commercial Driver: Understanding the Controversy and Applying Screening Criteria
Duration: 00:60:00
There is a high prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in commercial drivers and screening for this medical condition is important to insure safety. OSA increases the risk of crashes and effective treatment is available. However, many practitioners do not regularly screen for OSA, and there is considerable controversy amongst the medical community on the criteria for sleep apnea screening. The controversy exists for several reasons but most importantly is the absence of a set of screening criteria which both the medical community adopts as the "gold standard" and the Department of Transportation and/or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration embraces.
In order to make an educated decision regarding screening for OSA in the commercial driver population, practitioners need to have a good understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition, as well as a firm grasp of the associated health consequences, including the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace
Duration: 00:60:00
The visual symptoms that computer workers experience are the most obvious expression of the shortcomings in the ergonomics and visual characteristics of the worker. Because of the high visual demands of the computer task and the visual shortcomings of many operators, vision problems and symptoms are very frequent among computer workers. Most studies indicate that visual symptoms occur in 75-90% of computer workers1-3; by comparison a study released by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)4 showed that 22% of computer workers have musculoskeletal disorders. A large survey of optometrists5 indicated that 10 million primary care eye examinations are annually given in this country primarily because of visual problems at computers- not a small public health issue!
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Public and Worker Health Impacts from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant Accident
Duration: 00:01:00
The speakers will provide a basis for understanding the radioactive releases at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plants and discuss the types of radionuclear exposures involved. They will cover the accident sequence, emissions inventories, actual releases, potential health effects, exposure limits, and protective responses, including the use of prophylactic potassium iodide. There will be ample time for audience questions.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Occupational Medicine Practice in the New Era of Health Care Reform
Duration: 00:60:00
The next three years will see implementation of the new health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PP-ACA). As a result, the practice of Occupational Medicine is likely to change. Parallels can be drawn from the changes that occurred in Occupational Medicine when national health care was implemented in many countries of the European Union. Specific provisions in the PP-ACA bill, especially those related to employer-sponsored Health Plans may predict practice changes. Other aspects for Occupational Medicine are also likely to occur as a result of other anticipated regulatory changes related to the Medical Home and OSHA regulations. These changes are likely to include reimbursement for preventive services in Occupational Medicine.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Exercise as Medicine
Duration: 00:60:00
Exercise benefits both employees and employers. "Exercise as Medicine" is intended to update providers on the multiple beneficial effects of exercise on health, disease, and mortality. We will also explore how exercise might best be incorporated into employer wellness programs. Most importantly, the presentation will emphasize exercise history as a vital sign.
Learning Objectives:
-Define "physical activity" (PA) vs "fitness".
-List the US Dept. of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) 2008 Physical Activity Recommendations.
-Discuss the relationship of these factors to health care costs and to overall mortality, as well as to work injury and delayed recovery.
-Describe how this information impacts worksite health promotion.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Occupational Contact Dermatitis
Duration: 00:60:00
Contact Dermatitis is one of the most common occupational diseases. In this webinar, Dr. DeLeo will discuss irritant and allergic forms of the disease. This will include the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Learning Objectives:
-The recognition of morphology of Contact Dermatitis.
-To discern differences between irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis.
-To understand the methods for diagnosing Contact Dermatitis.
-To learn the common allergens in Contact Dermatitis.
-To recognize the setting for various allergens in the workplace.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Duration: 00:60:00
According to the CDC, there are about 1.5 million people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in the US. Approximately 90% of these cases are mild injuries. Almost half were seen only in the clinic, physician office, or not at all. TBI is a leading cause of disability, especially among young adults. Additionally, it is an important concern to the occupational health care pratitioner. Work-related TBIs constitute an estimated 45-50% of all TBIs, with the incident varying by specific occupation.
Participants in this webinar will learn the criteria for the diagnosis of TBI and will gain heightened awareness of the importance of physician/healthcare provider interaction and the outcome of patients with mild TBI including avoiding iatrogenic disability. A case example will be presented to illustrate this and other issues.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
To Work or Not to Work - The Costs of Absenteeism and Presenteeism
Duration: 00:58:00
Determining appropriate return to work status is a complex issue that must be addressed by all physicians, regardless of specialty. Not only must the timing of return to work be addressed, but ancillary issues such as modified duty, part time work, or necessary accommodations need to be examined. OEM Physicians are often called upon by patients and employers for their expertise in this arena.
The complexity is increased by the number of stakeholders in the return-to-work process: patient, physician, managers, supervisors, human resources (if the absence from employment is work related), then adjuster and insurance company.
Many studies document the need for improvement in the overall process.
An article in January JOEM by Dowd et al reveals that "early reintegration of early reintegration of injured workers back into the workforce could result in substantial reductions of medical expenditures." Another article in the February Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation by Ikezawa et al. reveals significant inconsistencies and variability in Physician return-to-work orders for back pain.
We will discuss and suggest practice improvements on this critical topic during the webinar on June 17, 2010.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Occupational Lead Poisoning: New Guidelines for Clinical Management
Duration: 00:53:40
(1) The California Dept. of Public Health published a new Guidance Document in 2008 on acceptable blood lead levels, which occupational physicians should be familiar with. It's key changes are:
(a) Blood lead levels should be kept below 20 mcg/dl
(b) Physicians can use Medical Removal Protections to accomplish this.
(2) Brief overview of lead toxicity and clinical presentation
(3) Epidemiology of lead poisoning in California, using So. California data
(4) Other clinical approaches founded in the OSHA Lead Standard
(5) Predictions for changes to the OSHA Lead Standard
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Tags: california dept. of public health lead toxicity osha lead standard blood lead guidance document
Speaker:
Overuse of Narcotics in the California Workers' Comp System: A Payer's Perspective and Suggested Interventions
Duration: 00:39:42
It is well known that a small percentage of WC claims are responsible for a disproportionate percentage of the overall costs in the system. Surprisingly, most of these high cost cases are not severe injuries. They are mostly minor strain/sprain diagnoses with disability duration greater than expected - so called "delayed recovery" cases.
The cause of the unexpected disability and failure to recover is related to various psycho-social issues that involve the patient, his/her employer, treating physician and claims administrator. Most of these patients develop some form of chronic musculoskeletal pain that is often mismanaged because the treatment fails to address the non-medical context of the injured worker's claim. Typically, these patients are treated with chronic opiate medications, often in continually escalating does without any sign of functional improvement. Return to work is delayed and they become more and more isolated from their employer, co-workers and even family and friends. The results are disastrous both in terms of cost and human suffering.
A first step in turning these cases around is detoxification from narcotic and other CNS depressant medications, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and daily exercise, particularly aerobic activity. But a more effective strategy involves early identification of patients at high risk for delayed recovery and specifically intervening with proven multidisciplinary treatment.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Speaker:
Cal-OSHA ATD Standard
Duration: 00:42:30
California recently enacted the first occupational safety and health standard to protect employees against aerosol transmissible diseases. This presentation will include the background of the standard and how it relates to other infection control and occupational safety and health guidelines. The presentation will also discuss requirements relevant to medical practices, and the role of physicians in providing medical services under the standard.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Tags: cal/osha occupation safety and health standard woema cme webinar
Speaker:
Pyrethroid Pesticides: Hidden Hazard
Duration: 00:37:10
Pyrethroid pesticides are widely used for pest control in both occupational and residential settings. Often marketed as safe, the adverse effects of pyrethroid pesticides are under-appreciated. Occupational and environmental health practitioners are likely to encounter patients exposed to pyrethroids. This webinar will provide critical information to guide practice. Learning objectives: Report pesticide illness; Describe why occupational illness due to pyrethroids is a concern; Recognize settings where exposure to pyrethroid pesticides may occur: Identify potential health consequences of exposure to pyrethroid pesticides; Manage workers exposed to pyrethroid pesticides.
Presentation Visuals/Audio
There are several options for watching this webinar:CME Questionnaire/Survey
After you listen to the audio portion of the presentation and view the presentation slides, complete the on-line survey in order to receive CME credit (WOEMA Members Only).
Tags: pyrethroid pesticides woema cme webinar