Schizophrenia: Updates from the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (APA) 2017 (ACPE)

Schizophrenia, by nature, presents manifold challenges to the healthcare professional directing neuropsychiatric care. Not only do practical matters like medication adherence play a role in the success of therapy, but it behooves clinicians to also have a well-informed understanding of the symptomatology and treatment course of the disease. Atypical antipsychotics are the mainstay of initial pharmacotherapy, with oral agents being preferred first. However, recent literature has questioned whether earlier treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotics might improve adherence or whether other treatment modalities like behavioral intervention strategies should be stressed. Poor patient adherence to schizophrenia medications is associated with suboptimal clinical outcomes, and improving adherence may enhance quality of life and reduce the risk of hospitalization, thereby potentially lowering health resource utilization and its associated costs. Adherence is an area that continues to represent a practice gap.

By the end of the session the participant will be able to:

1. Recall the most impactful findings about Schizophrenia from the APA 2017 Annual meeting relating to Schizophrenia pathophysiology, progression, & prognosis.
2. Describe the most impactful findings about Schizophrenia from the APA 2017Annual meeting relating to using the similarities & differences between Schizophrenia & other disorders to inform good clinical care.
3. Summarize the most impactful findings about Schizophrenia from the APA<2017 Annual meeting relating to old, new, emerging, and potential new targets for treating of Schizophrenia and apply them to patient cases.

Credit Designation:

ScientiaCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This program is approved for 1.00 hours of continuing education. Proof of participation will be posted to your NABP CPE profile within 4 to 6 weeks to participants who have successfully completed the post-test. Participants must participate in the entire presentation and complete the course evaluation to receive continuing pharmacy education credit.