Ready, Set, Action: Collaborative Management to Improve Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease

Target Audience
This educational activity is designed for primary care physicians, internists, geriatricians, neurologists, and NPs and PAs who care for patients with or at risk for AD

Program Overview
It can be a struggle to diagnose Alzheimer disease (AD), but it is worth the time and effort! The benefits of a timely diagnosis for both patients and families cannot be overstated. Do you have questions about appropriate tests you can use in daily practice? Do you do cognitive, imaging, and/or biomarker tests when you suspect AD? Do you sometimes wonder how to talk about AD and diagnostic tests with patients and family members? In this innovative “cinemeducation” format, you will see representative interactions that model best practices. Ready, Set, Action…access this novel educational activity today!

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Identify the symptoms of Alzheimer disease to differentiate it from other neurodegenerative disorders and normal aging to gain confidence in making a diagnosis
Employ and interpret appropriate cognitive, biomarker, and imaging tests in clinical practice to improve diagnosis of Alzheimer disease
Describe the benefits of earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer disease for patients and caregivers
Activity Purpose
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by declines in memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities necessary for performance of daily activities, and is associated with a significant burden for patients, their caregivers, and society. However, detection of AD remains suboptimal with many patients not diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or experiencing a delay in diagnosis. Consequently, there is a significant educational need in identification of symptoms and differential diagnosis; the importance of early diagnosis; and appropriate testing methodologies (ie, cognitive, imaging, and biomarker assessments) and their interpretation. To improve diagnostic practices across the spectrum of care, this activity employs “cinemeducation” to illustrate and model best practices. In this case-based experience, patient/caregiver interactions with physicians are shown, with expert faculty commentary on ways to improve these interactions and enhance the diagnosis of AD.