Prevention and management of rheumatologic and endocrinologic disorders is a common concern of the clinical pharmacist working in the ambulatory care setting. Endocrinology/Rheumatology, the next release in the Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program (ACSAP), presents evidence-based updates on a wide range of these disorders.

The first module focuses on the treatment of diabetes and obesity, with chapters on current guidelines in the treatment of hyperglycemia, the prevention and treatment of diabetes-related complications, practice management issues in diabetes, and the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The second module examines other endocrinologic topics such as adrenal/pituitary disorders, thyroid/parathyroid disorders, and testosterone replacement therapy. Pharmacotherapy of the more common rheumatologic disorders is detailed in the third module, including chapters on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and gout/hyperuricemia.

Endocrinology/Rheumatology will be released January 15 and has three learning modules with a total of 18.5 available continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credits. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) has approved ACSAP for use in Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) recertification.

All ACSAP chapters are fully referenced, with online links to literature compilers such as PubMed. Hypertext links provide ready access to clinical practice guidelines, official recommendations, and patient assessment tools. New graphic features focus on pivotal studies, patient care scenarios, and take-home points that can be readily integrated into clinical practice.

Endocrinology/Rheumatology is designed to assist clinical pharmacists who want to:

• Analyze the controversies surrounding available treatment options for hyperglycemia and their place in therapy.
• Justify, using published data, early insulin initiation in patients with diabetes.
• Assess new and emerging treatment options for hyperglycemia to determine their appropriate place in therapy.
• Design an evidence-based plan for primary and secondary prevention and treatment of diabetes-related chronic complications.
• Develop a plan to establish an accredited diabetes education program.
• Demonstrate an understanding of current billing options as they pertain to diabetes self-management education/training.
• Distinguish the types of bariatric surgery, including expected risks, benefits, and implications for long-term pharmacologic management of comorbid disease states.
• Evaluate a patient with adrenal or pituitary disorders for the appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy versus nonpharmacologic interventions.
• Design a pharmacotherapy plan for a pregnant patient with hypothyroidism to minimize fetal and maternal risks.
• Evaluate drugs used to manage hyperparathyroidism and develop strategies for their use.
• Distinguish between total testosterone, free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and other factors within the context of the goals for testosterone replacement therapy.
• Develop a plan for the nonpharmacologic management of gout and hyperuricemia.
• Design a safe and effective drug regimen, including a monitoring plan to ensure safety and efficacy, for an individual patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Apply current treatment recommendations to the management of lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid syndrome.
• Develop a plan to monitor therapy and optimize drug use to prevent or minimize systemic lupus erythematosus flares and complications.

The content of Endocrinology/Rheumatology was developed under the leadership of Faculty Panel Chair Brian K. Irons, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCACP, BCPS, BC-ADM. Series Editors for this new home-study program are Betty J. Dong, Pharm.D., FCCP, FASHP, AAHIVP; and David P. Elliott, Pharm.D., FCCP, FASCP, CGP, AGSF.

ACSAP 2013–2015 books are available singly or as a six-book series and in two format packages. Other books in the series are Pulmonary/Preventive Care, Infection Primary Care, Cardiology Care, Neurologic and Psychiatric Care, and Women’s and Men’s Care. To obtain information on specific release dates and available CPE credits, or to place your online order, visit the ACCP Online Bookstore. Books are priced as follows.

ACSAP 2013–2015