Identifying and Addressing Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU)

Thursday, October 6, 2022, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Clinicians are being called upon in ever-greater numbers to treat and manage the care of pediatric patients who are struggling to use media and technology in healthy ways. When young people’s behaviors with interactive technology contribute to physical and mental health challenges and academic and social impairment, we call it Problematic Interactive Media Use, or PIMU, a disorder marked by the overuse of a necessary resource (media and technology).   In the course of treating PIMU in our Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), we have found underlying psychological issues such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and affective and mood disorders to be driving PIMU in all of these patients.

As a result, we have characterized PIMU as a syndrome rather than a diagnosis, manifestations of known conditions that were previously subclinical, but have declared themselves in the interactive media environment. We are caring for PIMU by treating the underlying cause while modifying the problematic behavior.  Because this syndrome is relatively new, practicing medical and mental health clinicians have received little to no training or experience in preventing, recognizing, or responding to PIMU. This course is designed for pediatricians, family practitioners, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other health professionals who work with children, adolescent, and young adult patients. We aim to: Introduce clinicians to PIMU in the context of cognitive and behavioral development and mental health;  Expose pediatric clinicians to PIMU’s different presentations and co-morbidities; and Provide clinicians with therapeutic and educational strategies for PIMU treatment and other media-related physical, psychological, and developmental issues.   The format will include lectures with question-and-answer sessions, case consultation, and workshops. Faculty members will be available to respond to questions following presentations. The ultimate goal is to provide pediatric clinicians with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide a systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach to PIMU in order to alleviate significant dysfunction, developmental distortion, and familial disruption.

For more information on the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders at Boston Children's hospital, please visit digitalwellnesslab.org/cimaid

1. Recognize adolescents' motivations for using digital technology, and understand PIMU and other media-related effects on physical, psychological, social, and academic health to help identify the issue in patients.
2. Identify different PIMU presentations and co-morbidities as well as and other-media-related health issues in patients to help evaluate patients.
3. Apply appropriate treatment methods for PIMU and other media-related issues.

To register, please click the register tab above and complete the form. If this is your first time registering for a course at Boston Children's Hospital, you will need to create an account. Please use an email address that you check frequently, as it will be used to send important information about the course.

Registration		Early Bird (Ends 9/1/2022)	Regular Pricing (Starts 9/2/2022)
Physician Fee		$180.00	$185.00
Nurse Fee		$180.00	$185.00
Non-Physician Fee		$95.00	$100.00
Trainee/Student		$95.00	$100.00

Pre-registration is required. Once you have registered you will receive a confirmation email with a registration receipt. Course access instructions will be sent a few days prior to the course launch.

If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please direct all inquiries to cmedepartment@childrens.harvard.edu.

Online Course Cancellation, Transfer & Refund Policy
Due to the propriety materials and content of each course, online virtual courses orders are NOT eligible for refund, cancellation or transfer.

Other Terms and Conditions:
Participants have one month to access any virtual online course content.
Participants have until the expiration date to access the course.
Boston Children’s Hospital is not responsible for user technical difficulties including loss of internet, power outages, etc. 

Cancellation of Services
In case an event is canceled or postponed, Boston Children’s will provide a full refund or offer a credit towards future events to those who have already registered.

Refund Policy
Refunds will be made in the following ways:
For payments received by credit or debit cards, the same credit/debit card will be refunded.

Physician
Boston Children’s Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

Nurse
Boston Children’s Hospital designates this activity for 6.00 contact hours for nurses. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Physician Assistants
Boston Children’s Hospital has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credits for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 6.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Psychology
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibly for the content of the programs.

This course has been approved for 6.00 continuing education credits. 

Social Work
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Boston Children’s Hospital is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Boston Children’s Hospital maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 6.00 ACE CE continuing education credits.

CME - AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (6.00 hours), Non-Physician (Attendance) (6.00 hours), CNE (Nursing) (6.00 hours), PA (Physician Assistant) (6.00 hours), American Psychology Association (APA) Psychology Credits (6.00 hours), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Social Work Credits (6.00 hours)

Thursday, October 6, 2022