Statement of Need

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by lack of periodicity in defecating as well as pain or difficulty in defecating that cannot be attributed to a physiologic, anatomic, radiologic, or histologic etiology. This disorder affects 14% of persons worldwide and 9% to 20% of adults in the US. In addition, diagnosis of CIC can be complex, requiring the exclusion of a wide variety of underlying conditions. To ensure that patients with CIC receive timely interventions and the best possible care, clinicians (including gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and advanced practice providers) need to better distinguish CIC from similar conditions. Clinicians need to understand recently updated CIC guidelines and select appropriate therapies according to mechanisms of action, safety profiles, clinical trial efficacy, and real-world data. Finally, through education on the application of shared decision-making approaches in CIC, patients and clinicians can work together to avoid delays in appropriate treatment and achieve treatment goals.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for HCPs who treat CIC including gastroenterologists, PCPs, and the multidisciplinary team.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate CIC from other disorders with overlapping symptoms
• Identify the mechanisms of action as well as clinical and real-world evidence with the available CIC agents
• Formulate individualized treatment regimens for patients with CIC
• Incorporate meaningful communication and SDM into the management of CIC

Method of Participation

To receive credit, learners are required to complete a baseline assessment; design, develop, and implement an action plan; view the online interventions; and return after 30 days to report on their progress in making system-level changes. A thorough response to the reflection questionnaire on involvement in the quality improvement activity is also required do demonstrate meaningful participation for ABIM MOC Part IV credit. A certificate will be available upon completion of the reflection questionnaire. There is no fee to participate in the activity or for the generation of the certificate.

For questions, contact Michelle Forcier at mforcier@achlcme.org

Accreditation and Credit Designation Statement

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other Healthcare Professional Credit

Other healthcare professionals will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of Certificates of Participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM from organizations accredited by the ACCME, please consult your professional licensing board.

ABIM MOC Part IV

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 4.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

By providing your ABIM Diplomate number, you consent to have the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and/or ACHL submit your participation in this activity to the ABIM through the ACCME PARS system. ABIM credit will be submitted to PARS within 30 days of participation.

MIPS Improvement Activity

Completion of this activity, including the pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments, qualifies as a medium weight MIPS improvement activity under MACRA and can be claimed as completion of IA_PSPA 28 of an Accredited Safety or Quality Improvement Program in the Quality Payment Program. Clinicians should submit their improvement activities by attestation via the CMS Quality Payment Program website. You will receive additional information after completing the activity and receiving your certificate via email.

Disclosures

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine requires that the faculty participating in an accredited continuing education activity disclose all affiliations or other financial relationships within 24 months (1) with the manufacturers of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any ineligible companies. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to this activity.

The following financial relationships have been provided:

Brooks Cash, MD, (Chair)
Consultant: Abbvie, Ardelyx, Salix, Vibrant
Speakers' Bureau: Abbvie, Ardelyx, QOL Medical, Salix

Lucinda Harris, MS, MD, (Faculty)
Advisory Board: Ardelyx, Salix
Advisor: QOL Medical
Consultant: Gemelli
Research- Celiac Study: Takeda

Discussion of Off-Label, Investigational, or Experimental Drug/Device Use: None

Staff and Reviewer Disclosures

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine staff members, ACHL staff members and others involved with the planning, development, and review of the content for this activity have no relevant affiliations or financial relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgement

This activity is provided by The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL).

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.