Course Summary

Expiration Date: 05/17/2029

Musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent and a leading cause of chronic pain, disability, and healthcare utilization. This review focuses on five major conditions: osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, covering their epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Non-pharmacologic measures such as exercise, weight control, and self-management form the foundation of care, while pharmacologic and surgical options are used selectively. Interprofessional collaboration is essential for optimizing outcomes, preventing complications, and supporting function and independence, underscoring the importance of comprehensive, patient-centered management.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Osteoarthritis
    • Epidemiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Surgical Therapy
    • Outcomes
  • JOURNAL CLUB: CONSERVATIVE TRIO-THERAPY FOR VARUS KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS
    • Background ↔ Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
  • Low Back Pain
    • Epidemiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Outcomes
  • JOURNAL CLUB: EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR ACUTE AND SUBACUTE LOW BACK PAIN
    • Background ↔ Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
  • Neck Pain
    • Epidemiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Outcomes
  • JOURNAL CLUB: DRY NEEDLING VS TRIGGER POINT MANUAL THERAPY FOR NECK AND UPPER BACK PAIN
    • Background ↔ Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
  • Osteoporosis
    • Epidemiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Outcomes
  • JOURNAL CLUB: EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
    • Background ↔ Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Safety Findings
    • Discussion
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Epidemiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
    • Outcomes
  • JOURNAL CLUB: CLINICAL FEATURES, DIAGNOSIS, AND OUTCOMES IN RHEUMATOID MENINGITIS
    • Background ↔ Purpose
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
  • Interprofessional Collaboration
    • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Summary

Authors

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.

Luke Almos, PharmD

Luke Almos will be graduating from the University of Montana’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy in the spring of 2026. He has 3 years of experience in retail pharmacy, with interests in inpatient and ambulatory patient care. He has actively contributed to research and educational materials throughout his undergraduate education. His primary interests are metabolic disorders, anticoagulation management, and providing patient education. Luke’s primary goal is to help implement initiatives and provide education resulting in impactful patient care across all specialties.