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DKBmed
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DKBmed and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Launch First Program Together on Binge Eating Disorder

NEW YORK March 26, 2015 -- DKBmed, LLC, and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) have announced the launch of an educational program designed to heighten awareness of the identification and management of binge eating disorder (BED), which often goes unrecognized and untreated. Called "Missed Opportunities in the Recognition of Eating Disorders" (MORe-ED), the program educates healthcare providers about the characteristics of BED and options for treatment. Participants can complete the course online or via their mobile devices, and can register by visiting http://dkbmed.com/more-ed/.

MORe-ED was created for primary care physicians and osteopaths, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, obstetrician/gynecologists, and psychiatrists. Because BED is often associated with comorbidities, clinicians specializing in sleep disorders, pain management, and addiction, as well as psychologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and dietitians can also benefit.

Although as many as two to three percent of the U.S. population may suffer from BED, many clinicians are unfamiliar with the condition and do not know how to screen for it. BED has recently been classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a distinct eating disorder and is characterized by recurrent uncontrolled binge eating associated with a sense of loss of control over eating. People with BED may binge in secret and often feel bad about themselves after a binge eating episode. While BED can contribute to obesity, not all people with the disorder are overweight.

A survey of clinicians found that:

  • Only 14% were familiar with BED and regularly saw patients with BED in their practices.
  • Over 97% were not very confident diagnosing BED based on new guidelines, and only 1% were well aware of available screening tools.
  • 87% were not highly confident about their knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms associated with BED and its link to addiction.
  • Most clinicians were unfamiliar or only somewhat familiar with treatments for BED, such as psychotherapy and medication.

"Clearly there is a need to raise awareness of BED among healthcare providers so that more patients with the disorder can be diagnosed and treated effectively," explained Nicholas Bello, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The MORe-ED program seeks to close knowledge gaps through three interactive, case-based activities presented on the RealCME platform. Each activity features a patient that presents a diagnostic challenge, accompanied by discussion by MORe-ED faculty Janelle W. Coughlin, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Director of Obesity Behavioral Medicine and Research Associate of the Eating Disorders Program at JHUSOM, and Angela Sarah Guarda, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Director of the Eating Disorders Program at JHUSOM. Participant progress is analyzed and tracked in real-time. Progress feedback boosts engagement and compels learners to complete the program.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Funding for MORe-ED has been provided by an educational grant from Shire Pharmaceuticals.

About DKBmed

DKBmed is an integrated, nonaccredited, continuing medical education company operated by a team of experienced medical education professionals. The goal of DKBmed is to provide health care professionals effective medical education that closes identified knowledge/practice gaps to ensure optimal patient care.

Working with accredited providers, DKBmed develops a range of innovative educational programs and specializes in bringing new adult learning methodologies to the CME landscape. DKBmed was an early adopter of using case scenarios with recorded and live actors, 3D animation, webcasts, podcasts, e-mail, and mobile phone applications for clinicians and patients. These forward-thinking approaches enable users to learn using the latest state-of-the-art techniques and to access educational programs in a manner that is most convenient and appropriate for them.

DKBmed's programs are accessible through the company's web site (www.dkbmed.com). They reach more than 50,000 clinicians in a variety of specialties, including cystic fibrosis, neonatology, diabetes, infectious disease, dermatology, ophthalmology, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary disease, nephrology, hematology, transplantation, multiple sclerosis, gout, ulcerative colitis, depression, viral hepatitis, and pain management.

About RealCME

RealCME has brought together successful pioneers from within the medical e-learning community, as well as forward-thinking technologists, to develop a robust educational technology platform and associated reporting and analytic tools for use by CME providers. RealCME is focused on using educational technology to spread the adoption of innovations and best practices.

The RealCME platform enables the development, publishing, delivery, and measuring of educational interventions and accelerates the education, training and alignment of caregivers regarding more effective implementation of best practices, new care delivery models and processes for coordinating patient care.