Practicing Clinicians Exchange Forms Partnership With National Osteoporosis Foundation

Stamford, Conn., July 20, 2009 — Practicing Clinicians Exchange (PCE) has formed a partnership with the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) to provide continuing education programs to nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) throughout the United States in 2009.

The partnership capitalizes on the strengths of both organizations. NOF is the leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health, and PCE is the national leader in providing continuing education focused solely on the needs of NPs and PAs.

Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million Americans, and 34 million more are at risk for the disease in which the bones weaken and can break from a minor fall or even a simple sneeze in serious cases. Women account for 80 percent of those affected by osteoporosis, and the total cost of osteoporosis-related fractures in the United States is nearly $20 billion annually. Because there are rarely symptoms associated with the onset of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, effective monitoring of bone health throughout life should be a focus of primary care clinicians to reduce the prevalence of disease.

With the US population aging and fewer physicians practicing primary care, the country is facing a healthcare emergency of doctors not being able to handle the number of patients seeking care. NPs and PAs are instrumental in solving this crisis by filling the primary care role once solely held by physicians. This has led to a primary care tipping point, with NPs and PAs collectively numbering over 200,000, and increasing by over 14,000 per year.

“Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are critical providers of patient-centered care that emphasizes lifestyle change and preventive care required to reduce osteoporosis risk and fractures,” said Leo Schargorodski, executive director and CEO of NOF. “With many treatment options for osteoporosis available and more research into new treatments, we’re pleased to be working with PCE to educate this growing segment of healthcare practitioners.”

“PCE has the unique ability to develop educational content specifically for NPs and PAs. The partnership between PCE and the NOF will better prepare clinicians to develop preventive and treatment strategies for osteoporosis, and ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes,” said Mary D. Knudtson, DNSc, NP, FAAN, a nurse practitioner from Santa Cruz, California, and a frequent moderator of PCE symposia.

“PCE is delighted to be partnering with the NOF for this educational initiative,” said Bradley Mock of PCE. “NOF’s vision is to make bone health a reality and a lifelong priority for all individuals, and PCE plans to accomplish this through educating the country’s growing ranks of NPs and PAs. NPs and PAs are cost-effective and highly trained members of the healthcare team and are a vital part of the solution to our nation’s healthcare crisis. We are very excited and confident that this partnership will produce tangible improvements not only in the knowledge and confidence of the clinicians but also in patient health.” 
About the National Osteoporosis Foundation: Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. Its mission is to prevent osteoporosis and related fractures, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis, and to find a cure through programs of awareness, advocacy, public and health professional education and research. NOF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC.
About Practicing Clinicians Exchange: Since 2006, PCE (www.practicingclinicians.com) has been the national leader in providing continuing education focused solely on the educational needs of NPs and PAs. PCE conducts an 18-city national symposia series and home study activities reaching over 50,000 clinicians, and extends its reach through a variety of formats, including regional and local symposia, dinner meetings, satellite symposia, Web conferences, e-courses, monographs, supplements, CD-ROMs, and other Web-based programs via its large database of NPs and PAs. Visit www.practicingclinicians.com for more information. PCE is a division of Continuing Education Alliance.

Contact: Patrick Ruddy
203.316.2114
pruddy@cealliance.org
www.cealliance.org
www.practicingclinicians.com

Continuing Education Alliance
1 Dock Street, Suite 510
Stamford, CT 06902 USA
Phone: 203.316.2100
Fax: 203.487.0406