OVERVIEW
This free activity consists of a Lecture Presentation, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation form. The content of this virtual lecture is derived from a satellite symposium presented on May 16, 2008, in Washington, DC.

MEDIUM: Virtual Lecture
INTERNET RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2008
CE AVAILABLE UNTIL: August 8, 2009

Estimated time to complete this activity: 1.5 hours

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TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses.

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ACTIVITY PURPOSE
This activity is intended to assist healthcare professionals in understanding how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anemia associated with hematologic malignancies.

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STATEMENT OF NEED
Adult anemia is a condition that can provide clues to undiagnosed hematologic malignancies. Many symptoms of blood cancers may be nonspecific, and signs such as anemia may be overlooked by patients and their physicians. Despite the lack of clear-cut symptoms, the diagnosis of a blood cancer can be made by taking a careful patient history, performing a complete physical examination, obtaining a complete blood count with a peripheral smear and obtaining a bone marrow aspirate. Because many blood cancers are curable, healthcare professionals should maintain a high level of clinical suspicion and be mindful of the urgency with which a diagnosis should be made and therapy initiated.

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EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Explain the importance of anemia as it relates to the diagnosis of hematologic malignancies
• Describe methods for diagnosing hematologic malignancies
• Cite the blood abnormalities associated with hematologic malignancies

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METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period July 10, 2008, through July 10, 2009, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question on the Learning Assessment pages; 4) complete the Evaluation form; and 5) mail, fax or electronically submit the Evaluation form to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. (Registered nurses should submit to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.)

Participants must receive a score of at least 70% on the Learning Assessment and must complete and submit the Evaluation form to successfully complete this activity. Participants who successfully complete this activity will be issued a statement of credit via email or US mail within 4 to 6 weeks.

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PHYSICIAN CONTINUING EDUCATION

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI). PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

INTERNATIONAL PHYSICIANS
International physicians completing this activity will receive a certificate documenting participation in an activity designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. International physicians should contact their respective licensure and certification bodies for information on use/conversion of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

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NURSE PRACTITIONERS CONTINUING EDUCATION
Nurse Practitioners should contact their respective licensure and certification bodies for information on use/conversion of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

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NURSING CONTINUING EDUCATION
Approval for nurses has been obtained by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Office under provider number CEP 5832 to award 1.5 continuing education contact hours through the California Board of Registered Nursing.

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FACULTY
Alan M. Gewirtz, MD
Alan M. Gewirtz, MD is Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Program at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. Dr. Gewirtz is a member of the Medical and Scientific Affairs Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

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DISCLAIMER
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. 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.

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DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Celgene Incorporated do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Celgene Incorporated. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings.

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DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) requires instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

The following faculty reported a real or apparent conflict of interest:

Dr. Alan M. Gewirtz has received consulting fees from Topigen Pharmaceuticals.


The following planners and managers have the following to disclose:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Carson J. Pattillo, MPH, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC

Sherri Kramer, MD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine

Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Linda Graham, RN, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Trace Hutchison, PharmD, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, has no affiliations with commercial interests to disclose.

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FEE INFORMATION
There is no fee for this educational activity.

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QUESTIONS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
For questions regarding the content of this activity, contact the accredited provider for this CME/CE activity: jjones@pimed.com. For technical assistance, contact jungsen@rmcom.net.

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware/Software requirements include:
• Windows 95, 98se, ME, XP, NT 4.0, 2000   
  - Internet Explorer 4.0+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Macintosh 9.2, OS X 10.1+
  - Safari 1.1+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - Internet Explorer 5/2+
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Additional Requirements
  - Windows Media Player
  - Internal/external speakers
  - Broadband connection (DSL/cable) recommended

 

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