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2023 AES: Hot Topics Symposium | Health Equity in Vulnerable Populations

Live Activity: 12/02/2023
Activity Launch Date: 06/24/2024
Activity Expiration Date: 06/24/2027

Overview:
New legislation has been introduced in many areas of the country that affects access to gender affirming care, reproductive health, and telehealth / patient access. In addition, ongoing conflicts around the globe create barriers to care for patients with epilepsy around the world. This session will help providers to understand the effects of these concerns and this legislation on the care of patients with epilepsy, so that providers will be better prepared to address their effects on epilepsy patients.

The Hot Topics symposium focuses on current issues and their impact on the care of patients with epilepsy. This year, the symposium will focus on how new legislation that affects reproductive health care, access to care, and gender-affirming care can potentially affect patients with epilepsy. The symposium will also address the effects of wars and conflicts on epilepsy care around the world.

Learning Objectives:
Following participation in this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Describe ways that antiseizure medications can interact with gender-affirming medical care
  • Identify unique concerns faced by LGBTQIA+ patients with epilepsy
  • Describe strategies to ensure that epilepsy patients in conflict zones and war-affected regions continue to receive appropriate medical treatment
  • Identify and describe strategies to improve access to healthcare for patients with epilepsy
  • Identify ways that antiseizure medications can potentially affect reproductive health care in women with epilepsy, and how recent policy changes may affect reproductive health care


Chairs:
Suzette LaRoche, MD, FAES; and Sarah Schmitt, MD, FAES

Program:
Introduction | Suzette LaRoche, MD, FAES|
Epilepsy in Conflict Zones and War Affected Regions | Olga Taraschenko, MD, PhD
Epilepsy Care in the LGBTQIA+ Population: Unique Challenges | Emily Johnson, MD
Access to Epilepsy Care in the Post Pandemic Era | Jonathan Edwards, MD, MBA
Navigating Reproductive Health Care in a Changing Political Landscape | Caryn Dutton, MD
Panel Discussion | All faculty, plus Naymee Velez-Ruiz, MD and Hind Kettani, MD

Career Stage:

Early Career (typically 0-5 years from completion of training)
Mid-Career (typically 6-15 years from completion of training)
Senior (typically >15 years of training)

Demographics:

Clinical, First-time Attendees, Research, Young Professionals

Target Audience:
Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), Advocates, Behavioral Health Providers, Clinicians, Community Health Workers, Fellows/Trainees, Nurses, Pharmacists, Scientists/Researchers, Social Workers, Technicians

Education Credit:
2.5 CME

Session Content Includes:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

FACULTY/PLANNER DISCLOSURES
It is the policy of the AES to make disclosures of financial relationships of faculty, planners and staff involved in the development of educational content transparent to learners. All faculty participating in continuing medical education activities are expected to disclose to the program audience (1) any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation and (2) discussions of unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or medical devices. AES carefully reviews reported conflicts of interest (COI) and resolves those conflicts by having an independent reviewer from the CME Review Committee validate the content of all presentations for fair balance, scientific objectivity, and the absence of commercial bias. The American Epilepsy Society adheres to the ACCME’s Essential Areas and Elements regarding industry support of continuing medical education; disclosure by faculty of commercial relationships, if any, and discussions of unlabeled or unapproved uses will be made.

Planning Committee, Faculty, Reviewers’ Disclosures of Financial Relationships
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES requires that any person who is in a position to control content of a CME activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships that they have with an ineligible company. Unless otherwise indicated (*), none of the planners or faculty of this activity have any financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies have been mitigated. The following individuals contributed to this activity’s content.

CME Reviewer
Shahram Izadyar, MD, FAES

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest
It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All persons involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. In accordance with the ACCME Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES implemented the mechanisms of prospective peer review of this CME activity, to identify and resolve any conflicts. Additionally, the content of this activity is based on the best available evidence.

Accreditation
The American Epilepsy Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
For more information regarding contact hours, please call American Epilepsy Society 312.883.3800.

Credit Designation
The American Epilepsy Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CME and CE Certificates
To receive credit for your participation in this activity, please complete the evaluation survey provided at the conclusion of the activity.

Unapproved Use Disclosure
The American Epilepsy Society requires CME authors to disclose to learners when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. Information about pharmaceutical agents/devices that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling may be contained in this activity.

Disclaimer
This CME activity is for educational purposes only and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the American Epilepsy Society. Reasonable efforts have been taken to present educational subject matter in a balanced, unbiased fashion, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each activity participant must always use his or her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label, investigational and/or experimental uses.