Breaking the Cycle: Evolving Strategies for Pain Management in Sickle Disease

SELF STUDY / ENDURING - ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE ACTIVITY: 45 Minutes

Overview

The management of pain in sickle cell disease is becoming increasingly vital as awareness of this condition grows and the need for effective treatment strategies becomes more apparent. This educational session delves into the unique challenges faced by individuals with sickle cell disease, emphasizing the complex pathophysiology of pain that influences treatment outcomes. Participants will explore the mechanisms of vaso-occlusive crises, the impact of chronic pain on quality of life, and the importance of integrating both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to tailor pain management plans for these patients.

Target Audience

This CME initiative was designed for oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, NPs, PAs, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the pathophysiology of acute and chronic pain in individuals with sickle cell disease to guide appropriate use of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments in personalized pain management plans
  2. Identify the challenges and barriers to effective pain management in sickle cell disease, including stigma, opioid use, and healthcare disparities
  3. Describe patient-centered, interdisciplinary pain management strategies that emphasize communication, holistic care and shared decision-making
  4. Recognize the psychosocial impact of chronic pain on individuals with sickle cell disease to facilitate the implementation of strategies that address mental health and quality of life
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Horizon CME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    Horizon CME designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course opens: 
09/05/2025
Course expires: 
09/05/2026
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Faculty

Lucas W. Enslin, ARNP, MSN

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Fred Hutch
Teaching Associate, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle, WA

With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including 15 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Lucus has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive care across a wide range of patient populations. Beginning his journey as a Registered Nurse at the University of New Mexico Hospital, he quickly gained expertise in oncology, intensive care, and emergency medicine at a Level 1 trauma center. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for his subsequent roles, where he expanded his clinical skills an took on leadership responsibilities.

Lucus’s career trajectory has been marked by a commitment to patient-centered care and a holistic approach to health. At Valencia Family Medicine in rural New Mexico, he managed a nurse practitioner-owned clinic, providing vital healthcare services and managing complex cases involving acute and chronic conditions. As the Clinic Director at Molina Medical Group, he not only provided patient care but also led strategic initiatives, improved clinical workflows, and represented the clinic in the community, even serving as a featured medical expert in local media. At Lovelace Medical Group, he distinguished himself not only as a clinician but also as an informatics provider liaison. In this dual role, Lucus effectively bridged the gap between healthcare providers and information technology, enhancing clinical workflows and optimizing patient care through the integration of advanced health informatics solutions.

Currently, Lucus serves as a Nurse Practitioner at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, where he specializes in hematology. In this role, he conducts comprehensive assessments, develops individualized treatment plans, and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient outcomes. His primary clinical focus is treating immune thrombocytopenia and iron deficiency anemia. He is also an integral part of the comprehensive sickle cell disease program. His commitment to advancing knowledge in the field is evident through his involvement in clinical research and
continuous professional development.

Disclosures:

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Horizon CME (HCME) ensures that continuing education activities are balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. 

All persons in a position to influence the content of an accredited continuing education activity provided by Horizon CME are required to disclose to HCME any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. All reported relevant financial relationships have been mitigated by Horizon CME.

Lucas W. Euslin, ARNP, MSN   declares the following financial relationships: Advisory Boards: Sobi (This relationship has ended) Advisory Boards: Novartis (This relationship has ended)

Available Credit

  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Horizon CME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    Horizon CME designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this enduring activity. To receive CME credit participants must:

  1. Read the CME/CE information and faculty disclosures.
  2. Participate in the online activity.
  3. Complete the post-test
  4. Submit the evaluation form

DISCLAIMER:

This activity is designed for educational purposes. Participants have a responsibility to utilize this information to enhance their professional development to improve patient outcomes. Conclusions drawn by the participants should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information. The participant should use his/her clinical judgment, knowledge, experience, and diagnostic decision-making before applying any information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.

Required Hardware/software

Access to the internet is required.

Supported Browsers:

Internet Explorer 8.0+ for Windows 2003, Vista, XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and above

Google Chrome 28.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux

Mozilla Firefox 23.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux

Safari 6.0+ for Mac OSX 10.7 and above

 

Supported Phones & Tablets:

 Android 4.0.3 and above

iPhone/iPad with iOS 6.1 or above