CME Credit

Participation Method

Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately one hour. To claim CE credit, participants must complete the activity, posttest and evaluation. To do so online and receive your statement of credit immediately, go to www.CECentral.com/getcredit and enter code MEN07039-04. A passing score of 70% is required for statement of credits.

Needs Statement

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents, and there are a variety of pharmacologic treatments which can provide relief from the disruptive symptoms. However, ADHD is not a condition that children necessarily ‘grow out of’ and many sufferers will remain on medication for a considerable amount of time. Studies have shown that continued treatments results in sustained improvement in ADHD symptoms, and prospective studies following children into adulthood show that ADHD treatment in childhood has benefits regarding social skills and self-esteem in the adolescent and adult.

 

A major question, then, concerns the effects of long-term treatment on the health and mental status of individuals with ADHD. There have been reports of growth deficits associated with long-term stimulant treatment, a factor of major importance in children. More recently, there have been concerns about the cardiovascular effects of stimulants, as well as worries about brain development, an increase in tics, and potential carcinogenic effects of some drugs.

 

Details about the effects of long-term ADHD treatment are becoming increasingly available as sufferers have been taking the medication for longer periods of time. Physicians need to be informed about these effects to enable them to prescribe confidently, and know that they are appropriately informed to choose the best course of treatment for their patients.

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 through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Remedica. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of one (1.0) AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for primary care physicians, psychiatrists and specialists who treat patients with ADHD.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should have knowledge about:
•   how ADHD progresses and develops as the patient grows older
•   the positive effects of long-term pharmacological treatment of ADHD
•   the adverse effects of long-term pharmacological treatment of ADHD and how these can be approached with the patient and their family

DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS