Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Forward
Stress & Chronic Disease: The Role of the Community Pharmacist as a First Responder
In these trying times, our bodies are very familiar with the stress response - a cascade of hormones from the hypothalamus and the pituitary and adrenal glands. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) is involved in regulating body temperature, digestion, the immune system, mood, sexuality, and energy usage. It is also a component of the fight-or-flight response to stressors and the release of stress hormones like cortisol. A growing body of scientific evidence has expanded our knowledge of the role the HPA axis plays in both bodily systems and HPA axis dysfunction, a byproduct of an overactive stress response that can lead to chronic disease.
By attending Stress and Chronic Disease: The Role of the Community Pharmacist as a First Responder, independent pharmacists can position themselves as first responders in treating HPA axis dysfunction. During this one-day symposium, you'll learn about the impact of cortisol on the nervous and immune systems, examine common illnesses in the context of hypocortisol states that mediate disease progression and prognosis, and treatment strategies. The faculty of experts presenting at this learning opportunity will provide you with the tools and resources to become a catalyst for patient transformation, disease prevention, and health promotion in your community.
By attending Stress and Chronic Disease: The Role of the Community Pharmacist as a First Responder, independent pharmacists can position themselves as first responders in treating HPA axis dysfunction. During this one-day symposium, you'll learn about the impact of cortisol on the nervous and immune systems, examine common illnesses in the context of hypocortisol states that mediate disease progression and prognosis, and treatment strategies. The faculty of experts presenting at this learning opportunity will provide you with the tools and resources to become a catalyst for patient transformation, disease prevention, and health promotion in your community.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
- List the effects of stressors and HPA axis in the development of chronic disease.
- Describe the difference between HPA axis dysfunction and adrenal fatigue to your patients.
- Review patient testing and treatment options (protocols) for HPA axis dysfunction.
- Outline methods to identify patients with stress challenges.
- Outline and apply best practice to enhance your consultative approach and patient care.
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Identifying the Patients Who Walk into Our Pharmacy - Can You Say Stress?
Jeff Robins, RPh, FAARFM, ABAAHP
- Describe top chronic conditions walking into the pharmacy every day
- Implement discussions of top chronic conditions in the pharmacy
- Review how independent pharmacists can position themselves to be first responders in treating HPA axis dysfunction.
8:30 am – 9:30 am
It’s More Than Adrenal Fatigue: The Stress Response and What Leads to HPA Axis Dysfunction
Tom G. Guilliams, PhD
- Discuss homeostasis, physiologic resilience, allostatic load, and metabolic reserve
- Assess how chronic stress depletes metabolic reserve
- Outline conditions related to HPA axis dysfunction
- List different stressors (mental and physical) and stress signals that affect the HPA axis
- Review HPA axis pathophysiology
9:30 am – 10:30 am
What’s the Deal with Cortisol: Assessing Our Patients
Carrie Jones, ND
- Outline the role of cortisol and cortisol signaling
- Discuss cortisol testing
- Review cortisol levels
- Describe how the cortisol awakening response is a key indicator of HPA axis health
10:30 am – 11:00 am - Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Stress-Induced Nutrient Depletion
TBA
- Discuss the most critical nutrients for the stress response
- Review prescription drugs that further deplete vital stress nutrients
- Describe the importance of glycemic control and how this presents in patients
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
The Stress Story in Our Patients: The Clinical Presentation and Management of the 4 Key Stressors
Chris Mote, DO, DC, IFMCP and Melody Hartzler, PharmD
- Review patient presentations of HPA axis dysfunction
- Discuss the traditional therapy approach
- Review alternate or functional medicine treatment options along with protocols
- Outline best practices for how the physician and pharmacist can collaborate to enhance patient care
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - Break
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
The Role of the Pharmacist as the Stress First Responder: How to Make It Happen in Your Practice
Jeff Robins RPh, FAARFM, ABAAHP/TBA
- Review the role of the pharmacist in managing stress in chronic disease
- Discuss the tools available to enhance communication and patient care
- Outline best practices in simple patient approaches versus the consultative approach
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Speaker Panel Q&A
All Speakers
Physicians
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
The George Washington University Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of pharmacy education.
ACPE#: 0536-9999-20-003-L04-P
ACPE#: 0536-9999-20-003-L04-T
Release Date: September 19, 2020
Expiration Date: September 19, 2023
CE Credits: 7 (0.7 CEUs)
CE credits will be transmitted electronically to NABP within 30 days.
Available Credit
- 7.00 ACPE PharmacistThe George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
- 7.00 ACPE Pharmacy technicianThe George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
- 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 6.50 Completion