Although the chest radiograph remains the first-line imaging test for the evaluation of patients with suspected thoracic disorders, newer imaging modalities such as CT, high-resolution CT, MR, and PET imaging are playing an increasing role. There is a need to provide radiologists and clinicians with up-to-date information on the appropriate use of these various thoracic imaging methods for the diagnosis of various thoracic disorders. There is also a need to teach and assess basic skills of chest radiograph interpretation to both radiologists and clinicians who deal with patients with thoracic disorders. This course is designed to meet these perceived needs.

Using a case-based method of instruction, this on-line course will assess the participants’ ability to interpret imaging studies, synthesize radiologic and clinical data, formulate differential diagnoses, and to answer questions regarding key imaging and clinical features, as well as pertinent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, for a variety of thoracic disorders. An emphasis will be placed upon common thoracic diseases that are likely to be encountered in daily practice.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS: The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

COST: $60.00
click here for pricing outside the United States of America

OVERALL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. To evaluate and enhance the participant’s interpretative skills, ability to synthesize clinical and radiologic data, and knowledge of the key imaging, clinical and therapeutic features of various thoracic disorders.
2. To update knowledge regarding the appropriate utilization of various imaging modalities in the work-up of commonly encountered thoracic disorders such as pulmonary embolism and the solitary pulmonary nodule.

CLINICAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Following completion of this course, participants should be able to recognize common radiographic abnormalities and to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis based upon synthesizing the radiographic and clinical data.
2. Participants should also be able to order imaging tests in an appropriate manner based upon data from published guidelines and other resources included in this module.

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PHILLIP M. BOISELLE, MD Course Director

Bio and Photo Coming Soon. DISCLOSURE:

RICHARD M. SCHWARTZSTEIN, MD Course Director

Dr. is Associate Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) where he directs one of only two national centers for the study and treatment of dyspnea . The Asthma and Dyspnea Center at BIDMCspecializes in the evaluation of patients with dyspnea of unclear etiology or breathlessness seemingly out of proportion to the patient’s known pulmonary problems. Dr. Schwartzstein’s research has linked basic physiology of the control of breathing and respiratory sensations with clinical dyspnea. Dr. Schwartzstein’s work has resulted in a greater understanding of the distinct qualitative aspects of dyspnea, the links between the verbal phrases used by patients to describe their breathing discomfort and the underlying pathophysiologic disorders causing dyspnea, and the origins of chest tightness in asthma. Dr. Schwartzstein has a strong interest in medical education and holds several leadership positions in education at BIDMC and Harvard Medical School (HMS). He is Vice President for Education at BIDMC and Faculty Associate Dean for Medical Education at HMS. In addition, he is Executive Director of the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research, course director of Integrated Human Physiology at HMS, and author of Respiratory Physiology: A Clinical Approach. DISCLOSURE:

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GRACE HUANG, MD Reviewer

Grace Huang, MD, is the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the Carl J. Shapiro Institute for Education and Research, a joint venture between HMS and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. She also works as a hospitalist at BIDMC. She has spent a number of years designing web-based modules on clinical skills, including computer-based case simulations (“virtual patients”), physical diagnosis tutorials, interactive pathophysiology diagrams, and procedure-based instruction. She serves as a consultant to the Association of American Medical Colleges in their initiative to promote scholarship and sharing of educational materials through MedEdPORTAL. Her clinical research interest is in the impact of a formal hospital-based procedure service on complication rates among internal medicine residents. DISCLOSURE: Dr. Huang's spouse works at Pfizer, Inc., and she holds stock options and shares in the same company.

DAVID H. ROBERTS, MD Reviewer

Dr. David H. Roberts is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and he is the Clinical Director of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Roberts received his Bachelor’s degree with Honors from Cornell University and then went on to medical school at Harvard. Dr. Roberts completed internship and residency in internal medicine and then pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Roberts’ current professional activities at BIDMC and HMS include ambulatory patient care, teaching and administration. His clinical practice as a pulmonologist is focused on patients with dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension, as well as other general pulmonary disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. Dr. Roberts teaches medical students across the four years of HMS training, with emphasis on both the 2nd year Respiratory Pathophysiology course, and the 3rd year year-long continuity course entitled Principal Clinical Experience at BIDMC. Dr. Roberts also teaches residents, fellows and other physicians in practice, and he is a graduate of the Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education and Harvard-Macy Program for Educators in Health Professions. Dr. Roberts is the Assistant Director of the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at BIDMC where he directs the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education, and co-leads the Resource Faculty program with Lori Newman in the Office of Professional Development. He also recently co-directed a continuing medical education course for medical educators from around the world, entitled “Principles of Medical Education: Maximizing your Teaching Skills”. DISCLOSURE: Company: Gilead Type of Relationship: Speaker Content Area: Pulmonary Hypertension

ROBERT H. SHMERLING, MD Reviewer

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. For the last 20 years, he has been an active clinician and teacher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he serves as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a practicing rheumatologist and teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship program. DISCLOSURE:

CONRAD WITTRAM, MB, CHB Reviewer

Conrad Wittram was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, England and graduated from the University of Liverpool Medical School in 1986. He trained in radiology, and was lecturer in radiology at the University of Liverpool under the supervision of Professor G. Whitehouse. Additional radiology training included a body imaging fellowship at the University of Alberta Hospital and a chest radiology fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Wittram’s interests include all aspects of research and teaching of thoracic radiology imaging, particularly thromboembolic disease. He has written on numerous topics in thoracic radiology, and is a popular invited speaker at national and international meetings. DISCLOSURE:

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NUMBER OF CREDITS: 3 

Harvard Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Upon completion of the course you will get a certificate via e-mail within 2 weeks.

Click the image to view a sample of the certificate

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