Bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging to differentiate from other psychiatric conditions due to its complexity and spectral nature. In fact, approximately 70% of patients with BD are without an accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment and management. In this episode of NP Pulse, "Patient Centric Management of Bipolar Disorder: Best Practices for Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment," nurse practitioner (NP) experts Braden Kameg and Lisa Anderson discuss ways in which NPs in primary care, psychiatric and mental health settings may decrease diagnostic delays and avoid misdiagnoses.

Learning objectives for this activity include:

• Review the prevalence, pathophysiology and clinical gravity of BD.
• Examine evolving screening and assessment best practices to facilitate early and accurate differential BD diagnosis and linkage to treatment.
• Evaluate the evidentiary base for novel and recently approved BD pharmacotherapies, with a focus on tailored treatment planning for individual patients.
• Design data-driven and patient-centric treatment plans for BD that integrate patient-specific factors, disease-specific factors and actively incorporate the patient voice.

0.97 CE / 0.97 RX

To claim continuing education credit for this program, log in to the CE Center, search for this program by name, complete the post-test and evaluation and then enter the participation code at the end of the podcast.

A clinical reference tool is available for download with this activity.

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Alkermes

Clear and honest communication between patients and providers is key to establishing a shared understanding of both wellness and illness. On this episode of NP Pulse, Dr. Martha Francis and Sarah Somers explore different frameworks for providers to better communicate delicate and often difficult news. They also share what it means to “rest in the uncomfortable,” and how they’ve learned to best support their patients in emotional times.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men 18 years of age or older experience domestic violence annually, and that domestic violence results in over 1,500 deaths per year. Today’s guest, Doncy Eapen, is a family nurse practitioner and expert on domestic violence. Eapen helps define what domestic violence is, discusses the populations most at-risk for domestic violence and explores how to screen for and best connect with patients who are experiencing harm at home.

If you'd like to learn more about intimate partner violence and the role of the NP, you can read an article on it here in the JNP.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence you can find help and resources here.