The Brain Trust - Episode 8: Early Detection in FQHC’s

When your world revolves around the delicate balance of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, each day can bring a torrent of emotions and challenges. That's the reality James Litchfield faced when his father, Buddy, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.  Host Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center talk about the early warning signs, the gripping fear when Buddy got lost while driving, and the struggle of managing care from a distance. James's candid narrative is a familiar story for primary care clinicians and caregivers alike, highlighting the critical role of early detection and compassionate, comprehensive healthcare support.

As James recounts the transition to a new care team in Illinois, we uncover the emotional toll and life-altering effects of caregiving take center stage as we acknowledge the support systems that are needed to weather this storm. Through James's eyes, we learn the invaluable lessons that emerge from the struggle, the resilience built from hardship, and the shared humanity that binds us in times of need.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

The Brain Trust Caregiver Mini-Series brings you into the quiet strength of Alzheimer's/Dementia care partners, as Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center guide us through the delicate tapestry of caregiving. When the familiar fabric of life begins to unravel with the onset of Alzheimer's, it falls on the shoulders of caregivers like Katrina Miller to reweave a sense of normalcy. Ms. Miller grants us access to her world, sharing the profound challenges and unexpected joys found in her role as her husband's caregiver.
This mini-series addresses issues faced by caregivers dealing with the cognitive decline of their loved ones. The discussion centers on diagnosis, management, and the crucial role a primary care physician plays to enable an integrated approach of support for care partners of patients with ADRD. 

Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge caregivers experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.

Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Katrina Miller, caregiver

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

In our latest Brain Trust podcast episode, Dr. Raj Shah chats with Dr. Tonja Austin, family physician and assistant professor from Rush University. Dr. Austin shares her valuable insights, stemming from her extensive, frontline experience within the African-American community in an area commonly referred to as Illinois Southland. They delve into this community's unique characteristics, barriers they face, and most importantly, the necessity of fostering trust and providing education as key tools for empowerment.

Our conversation navigates through the stories of early diagnosis, shining a light on its vital role in alleviating anxiety and facilitating informed decision-making for patients and their loved ones. We also discuss the unique struggles and resources available for African-American patients in Illinois' Southland region. 

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe one common barrier to early detection and diagnosis of ADRD faced by primary care physicians serving African American communities.
2.Name one way to overcome a barrier to early detection and diagnosis of ADRD

Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Tonja Austin, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine, Rush University

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

 Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers: Advancing Early Detection and Diagnosis of ADRD. Join hosts Raj Shah, MD  and Eukesh Ranjit, MD as they discuss the importance of connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers to advance early detection and diagnosis of ADRD.  They chat with Tracey Smith, Director of Community Health at the Illinois Public Health Association, and Angelia Gower, the first VP of the NAACP in Madison, Illinois to discuss the nature of community health workers, their importance in communities with limited resources, and the importance of connecting with primary care physicians.

We talk about potential collaborations with organizations like the Alzheimer's Association and Washington University to bring resources to the community. Tune in as we explore the experience of community-based organizations working with primary care physicians in underserved communities and discuss how community health workers can partner with local family medicine physicians to improve early detection of ADRD.

Learning Objectives:

1.     Describe two ways to incorporate CHWs into primary care practices in health systems

2.     Discuss barriers that systems must address to integrate CHWs

The Brain Trust is a project administered by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. Funding for this website made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Special episode with Dare To Care radio show connecting social workers, community members and primary care physicians on the importance of efforts being made across the state in the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We invite you into the world of the Dare to Care program and the Brain Trust initiative this episode. Join our hosts and guest as they offer profound insights into health literacy, dementia management, and how connections with community and social workers can enhance the efforts in primary care.

Learning Objectives:
•Describe how primary care physicians can work with the Dare To Care audience to promote early detection
•Identify prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease within communities within Illinois and the importance of education about the benefits of early detection 

Hosts:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University and
Eukesh Ranjit, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Guest: Elaine T. Jurkowski, PH.D, M.S.W., Graduate Program Director and Professor Social Work, College Of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Illinois University

Let's embark on this journey to uncover the road towards better dementia care. This conversation is your ticket to understanding the importance of early diagnosis and connecting patients and care givers to resources and new treatments.

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director at Loyola Hines VA Geriatric Fellowship, to discuss the adaptations primary care will need to make with the introduction of new ADRD treatment modalities.

Learning Objectives:
•Describe one reason why current processes for early ADRD diagnosis will have to change.
•Identify one action primary care physicians can take to support their patients concerned about cognitive changes go through the process of evaluation. 

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guest: Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director, Loyola Hines Geriatric Fellowship

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Discussion on ways physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by leveraging caregiver support

Learning Objectives:

• Identify opportunities to guide caregivers and families of persons with dementia to appropriate care and support resources.
• Describe the ways a Care Consultation can be beneficial to families dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Mark Drexler, MD, FAAFP. Lead Physician, for the Comprehensive Care Center at NorthShore University and Faculty at the University of Chicago Family Medicine Residency 
Gene Kuhn, Sr. Health System Account Manager at the Alzheimer's Association

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Leveraging Health IT and your Electronic Health Record (EHR) for managing and detecting patients at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe tools that can be used to screen for dementia, discreetly stored within the EHR and tracked over time.
• Discuss future directions and the use of AI for the early detection of ADRD.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Karl Kochendorfer, MD, FAAFP, FAMIA - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Chief Health Information Officer Associate Chief Medical Officer Associate Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)
Ravishankar K. Iyer, PhD - George and Ann Fisher Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Affiliate faculty at Mayo Clinic and Carle College of Medicine

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Evelyn Figueroa, MD to discuss ways family physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in their Latino patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe specific challenges affecting the Latino communities that exacerbate the burden of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Name one way family physicians can create a supportive environment for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in their Latino patients.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guest: Evelyn Figueroa, MD - Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine;  
Director of Community Engagement, Department of Family & Community Medicine- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine; President, UI Health Medical Staff Office; Director, Pilsen Food Pantry

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

In today’s episode host Eukesh Ranjit, MD talks with Denise Feil, MD, MPH Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Training and Education at Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, about distinguishing differences of early signs, symptoms, and behaviors in neurocognitive disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe early signs and symptoms of a neurocognitive disorder
• Describe the degenerative cognitive syndromes which can manifest with behavioral changes 

Host:  Eukesh Ranjit, MD - Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Guest: Denise Feil, MD, MPH - Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Training and Education- Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, Health Sciences Clinical Professor, UCLA; Program Director, UCLA Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship - David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.