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description Monograph verified MOC Eligible

Beyond Pain and Tiredness: Management of Fibromyalgia

Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician

star star star star star_outline 3.6/5 based on 8 ratings
local_hospital 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1™
person 2.00 AAPA Category 1
groups 2.00 IPCE Credits

Course Overview

Fibromyalgia is a central chronic pain syndrome that is characterized by increased pain perception, widespread pain in multiple areas of the body, fatigue, poor sleep quality, and cognitive disturbances. Fibromyalgia affects people of all ages but is mostly seen in adults, and there is no known cure. Despite a 2–4% global prevalence, it remains poorly understood and lacks consistent diagnostic criteria and management guidelines. This course discusses the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward fibromyalgia patients and how the disease typically presents, current theories on its pathophysiology, the suggested diagnostic workup, and recommendations for symptomatic management. This information can assist healthcare professionals in advocating for patients with fibromyalgia and in improving their health outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the role of central sensitization in fibromyalgia
  • Recognize the core clinical features and associated symptoms of fibromyalgia
  • Select appropriate multimodal treatment strategies for fibromyalgia
  • Develop a collaborative, multidisciplinary plan of care for patients with fibromyalgia

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
Anna Shurtleff Smith, MPH, BSN-RN
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Anna Shurtleff Smith is a graduate of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health with a community health focus, and Texas Tech University School of Nursing. She has clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Anna is passionate about patient education, health literacy, and health communications. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the outdoors and enjoying family time.
Kimberly Valenta, MD
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Kimberly Valenta is a freelance medical writer and editor. She studied chemistry at Mount Holyoke College and medicine at Northwestern University. After completing her anesthesiology residency, she joined the faculty at Stanford University, where she cared for patients and taught medical students and residents. In 2020, she transitioned to writing and editing full-time. She holds a certificate in medical writing and editing from the University of Chicago and is an active member of the American Medical Writers Association.
Additional Faculty & Reviewers
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
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Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
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Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Continuing Certification is offered for the American Board of Internal Medicine® (ABIM) and the American Board of Pediatrics® (ABP).

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 2.0 Medical Knowledge MOC points. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component and post-test, qualifies for MOC points with the following boards:

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
  • Internal Medicine
  • Introduction
  • Clinician and Patient Attitudes Toward Fibromyalgia
  • Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
  • Defining Central Pain Syndrome
  • Epidemiology of Fibromyalgia
  • Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Workup of Fibromyalgia
  • Pharmacologic Management of Fibromyalgia
  • Nonpharmacologic Management and Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Summary and What's Next

From January 16, 2026 through January 16, 2029, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)

Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to JA_PARS.

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Kimberly Valenta, MD; Anna Shurtleff Smith, MPH, BSN-RN; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.

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  • A connection to the internet

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.