Quality Bone Densitometry: Performance, Interpretation, and Clinical Application for Clinicians

The core elements of this course serve to educate healthcare providers about bone densitometry and osteoporosis and to apply standard practices to assure quality performance and interpretation of bone densitometry studies. The course is offered in two parts. The first day sets the standard to perform Quality DXA interpretation. Day 2 focuses on the clinical assessment, prevention, treatment and management of osteoporosis and the essential role that high-quality DXA plays in treatment initiation decisions and monitoring of osteoporotic patients.

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Course Information

Learning Objectives

After attending the course, participants should be better prepared to:

  • Describe appropriate clinical evaluation of patients at risk for fragility fracture.
  • Summarize the value and importance of quality bone densitometry for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, assessment of fracture risk, and monitoring of BMD.
  • Recognize errors in DXA analysis and reporting.
  • Explain new and emerging guidelines that provide evidence-based information regarding skeletal health.
  • Describe the use of current and new pharmacologic therapies for the management and treatment of osteoporosis, including adverse effects.

Target Audience

The course is most appropriate for those involved in the performance and interpretation of DXA scans and those managing patients with osteoporosis. It is open to MDs, PhDs, DOs, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants. Technologists may attend if they have previously taken the ISCD Quality Bone Densitometry for Technologists Course.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Included

Three On-Demand learning activities are included in the registration fees. While these are not required, it is suggested that registrants complete them in preparation for the course. Access to that content will be made available to registrants through the ISCD Learning Center before the program.

  • Overview of Osteoporosis
  • Fundamentals of Bone Densitometry, Physics, Radiation Safety, and Quality Assurance
  • What US Healthcare Providers Need to Know about DXA for Patient Care

Day 1: DXA Interpretation for Clinicians – the Importance of Doing a Quality DXA Scan and Quality DXA Reporting

Lectures
  • Principles of Quality DXA Scan Acquisition, Analysis and Interpretation
  • Use of Bone Densitometry for the Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
  • How to Assess Fracture Risk
  • Monitoring with DXA
  • How to Interpret and Report DXA Scans: Typical and Special Populations
  • Closing Q&A Session

Day 2: DXA and Patient Care for Clinicians – Using Quality DXAs in Patient Care 

Lectures
  • Can You Trust This DXA Report?
  • Clinical Evaluation of Bone Health
  • Clinical Management Part I: Non-pharmacologic therapy
  • Clinical Management Part II: Pharmacologic Treatment of Osteoporosis
  • Clinical Management Part III: Adverse Effects of Osteoporosis Medications, Sequential and Combination Therapy, and Drug Holidays
  • Case Discussions
  • Closing Q&A Session

Continuing Medical Education Credits

ISCD intends to offer this activity for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. As accreditation standards are updated regularly, the amount of credit awarded changes in accordance with the adjustments made to the standards. To view credit awarded or anticipated for a specific offering, please refer to the upcoming course you’d like to register for.

Interested in offering this course Internationally?

ISCD offers Local Organizing Committees (LOC) the opportunity to license and offer specific ISCD educational programs. For more information on pricing and available courses, please visit our LOC Information Page. After reviewing the details, you can complete and submit the LOC Application to request an agreement. 

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