Diagnosing & Managing Gout: Practice Review

A 64-year-old woman limps into your practice. Her presenting complaint: a severely painful, swollen left ankle; onset two days ago with no known precipitating trauma or injury. What do you do?

This eLearning module offers a detailed exploration of gout management, focusing on evidence-based practices and patient-centered care. The case study follows a treat-to-target approach to gout management, and encourages clinicians to consider comorbidities when developing plans for both acute and long-term management. 

The prevalence of gout in Australia is reported to be up to 6.8%, but this number continues to rise across developed nations in the Oceania region. This common form of inflammatory arthritis has the potential to impact on your patients’ quality of life and is associated with a number of comorbidities, including hypertension, insulin resistance, and renal failure, making it imperative for GPs to be confident in the diagnosis and management of this condition.

Course Features:

• Interactive case study scenario for real-world application of knowledge.

• Detailed discussions on a treat-to-target approach to gout management. 

• Best practice guidelines and management algorithms for safe and effective treatment.

• Access to resources such as the Gout Treatment Algorithm and Gout Care Plan.

After completing this eLearning module, you will be able to:

• Identify and differentiate gout from other conditions including pseudogout, septic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

• Understand the role of joint aspiration and other imaging modalities in the diagnosis and ongoing management of gout

• Develop a management approach for gout including initiation of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) using a treat-to-target approach

• Implement strategies to promote adherence to ULT

• Explain the role and benefits of urate-lowering therapy and flare prophylaxis 

• Develop a comprehensive gout management plan with patients to support a treat-to-target approach

• Implement strategies to promote adherence to urate-lowering therapy and prevent disease progression.

• Review patient co-morbidities and prepare an appropriate flare management plan

• Outline diet misconceptions and recommend evidence-based lifestyle strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce stigma.

Developed using the latest evidence-based research and updated clinical guidelines for the management of gout, this course is accredited for reviewing performance and education activities CPD. Take advantage of this self-paced online module and get yourself up to date.

The course is self-paced, allowing participants to progress through the module at their convenience. Estimated completion time is approximately 30 minutes (reviewing performance) for each of the 2 modules, with an optional 30 minutes of educational activity.

Enrol now to gain valuable insights and skills in managing gout effectively and compassionately.

This is a Medcast Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.