Program Introduction

Purpose
With ongoing advances in medical technology, it is possible to extend the life of a terminally ill patient in life's most basic sense—a beating heart and the ability to breathe—almost indefinitely. However, many people are more concerned with the quality of life, rather than the length. Therefore, these people will need palliative care in order to make their final days as comfortable and pain-free as possible. The hospice concept has blossomed throughout the United States as one answer to providing palliative care. In other instances, a patient would prefer to avoid the possibility of being bed-ridden and in pain, or hooked up to machines. Most physicians will at least once be faced with helping a patient or a patient’s family make critical end-of-life choices. It is therefore important that physicians be educated on all the options available.

Target Audience
Physicians in the United States.

Objectives
At the conclusion of the program the participants will be able to:

1. Describe the services provided by hospice.
2. Relate the necessary elements required for a palliative care team.
3. Recognize the difficult legal and ethical issues that can arise in end-of-life decisions.
4. Implement procedures for improving the quality of care for patients at the end of their lives.

Goal
The participating physicians will gain expertise on hospice and palliative care, leading to safer, more beneficial end-of-life patient care.

Program Description
Each Palliative Care program includes:

• 84-page monograph
• AMA PRA category 1 CME Test & Evaluation Form

Monograph Contents

• Table Of Contents
• Section I. Hospice
• Section II. Palliative Care for Children
• Section III. Ethical Issues in Palliative Care
• Section IV. Legal Issues in Palliative Care
• Appendixes
• Endnotes
• CME Test Questions
• CME Answer Sheet
• CME Evaluation Form

Implementation
The estimated time for completion of this program is four (4) hours. We recommend a four-step process.

1. Read the monograph and test questions carefully.
2. Discuss the techniques and information covered with your staff or colleagues.
3. Return to the monograph for a review of the content and your test answers.
4. Complete the CME answer sheet and evaluation form, detach and return to TIV.

Program Faculty

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Practicing Physician; Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and attorney

William Oakey, President, TIV, Inc.

Joyce Rouse, Creative Director, TIV, Inc.

Program Planning Committee

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Practicing Physician; Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and attorney

Margie Miller, Director of Continuing Medical Education, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine

William Oakey, President, TIV, Inc.

Joyce Rouse, Creative Director, TIV, Inc.

Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All faculty participating in these programs are expected to disclose to the program audiences any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation.

Faculty and Planning Committee Disclosures

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Faculty and Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Margie Miller, Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

William Oakey, Faculty and Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Joyce Rouse, Faculty and Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Accreditation and Credits
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 The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and TIV, Inc. The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of four (4) AMA PRA category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts AMA PRA category 1 credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

This program is eligible for application for four (4) CME credits under category 2-B of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) program.

How to Obtain Continuing Medical Education Credits
A certificate of completion will be awarded to physicians completing the program with a score of 70% or higher. In order to receive your continuing medical education credits, the answer sheet and evaluation form located in the back of this monograph must be filled out completely and sent to TIV, Inc. via one of the following methods:

Via mail or fax you will receive a certificate of completion within 7-10 days after receipt of your test and evaluation form; and, in the event you fail, you will be notified regarding a retake examination on the same concepts. Via Internet you can print your certificate immediately upon passing the examination. If you do not pass, you will be able to immediately retake the test and resubmit your answer sheet and evaluation form.

Rush Processing
Rush processing is available and requires an additional $25 processing fee. You must fax your test and evaluation form to TIV, Inc. 866-965-8999, and include your credit card information on the form. Your request will be processed and a certificate will be faxed to you within two business days after receipt of your test, pending pass/fail results. Mail requests do not qualify for rush processing.

Internet Option
You may enter your test answers and complete your evaluation online, and then print out your CME certificate. Go to: www.tivcme.com/pmpc3, and follow the instructions given on the Website.

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