I am always interested in continuing education in the areas of health, wellness, nutrition and mental health. Your course was well written, well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements.
Decoding Medical Illness vs. Psychological Disorders
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Course applies toward state CE requirements and hours needed for your FL RN license renewal. View Terms

This course is guaranteed to meet or exceed your expectations for convenience and quality. View Terms
Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!
I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to support mandated education requirements.
The course was well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements. I found the content to be very informative and practical.
Learn to distinguish between medical illness and psychological disorders with precision. Identify over 20 conditions masquerading as psychiatric symptoms using Goldberg's pitfalls and evidence-based tools.

Decoding Medical Illness vs. Psychological Disorders
Learn to distinguish between medical illness and psychological disorders with precision. Identify over 20 conditions masquerading as psychiatric symptoms using Goldberg's pitfalls and evidence-based tools.
Nationally & state accredited
Course Features
What you'll learn
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Articulate the clinical relevance and prevalence of “masked” medical disorders among patients with psychiatric disorders.
2. List over 20 medical disorders that commonly present with psychological symptoms and may confound diagnosis.
3. Identify and clinically address Goldberg’s 4 “mistake categories” with regard to mental health diagnosis.
4. Recognize 9 evidence-based measures that assess common areas of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
5. Distinguish issues that may be unique to 2 important populations, such as pediatric (e.g., PANDAs) and geriatric patients (e.g., delirium).
Course description
In the intricate landscape of healthcare, distinguishing between medical illness and psychological disorders often presents a formidable challenge. A significant portion of patients with psychiatric conditions can concurrently harbor "masked" medical disorders, clouding diagnostic clarity and potentially leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Through this course, healthcare professionals will gain proficiency in identifying over 20 medical conditions that frequently manifest as psychological symptoms. A deep dive into Goldberg's 4 diagnostic "mistake categories" will provide insights into common pitfalls in mental health diagnosis, promoting enhanced diagnostic precision. Alongside this, participants will familiarize themselves with 9 evidence-based tools designed to evaluate prevalent psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Recognizing that patient age can introduce additional layers of complexity, the course also offers specialized modules addressing diagnostic intricacies in both pediatric and geriatric populations. With such robust training, healthcare professionals can expect to enhance their diagnostic acumen, ensuring holistic care that recognizes the symbiotic interplay of the physical and psychological realms.
Course content
Introduction: The Dilemma of Diagnosis
Understanding Prevalence
Improving Diagnostic Assessment: It’s a Two-Way Street
Psychological/Psychiatric Assessment Tools
The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
Measures of Depression
Measures of Anxiety
Measures of Psychosis
Medical Illness and Psychiatric Symptoms
Autoimmune Disorders: Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus
Organic/Neurological Disorders: Renal Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy, and Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder
Endocrine Disorders
Exposure to Infection and Virus
Sleep Disturbances
Genetic Disorders: Huntington’s Disease & Wilson’s Disease
Toxic Exposure
Dietary Differences: Cultural and Individual
Special Considerations in Pediatric Patients
The Geriatric Patient: Be Prepared
Delirium, Depression, and Anxiety
Polypharmacy and Psychiatric Side Effects
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Conclusion
Course details
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Instructor
Dr. Farrell has presented and published in the areas of physical illness and psychological disorders in the elderly, stress, disability determinations, and geriatric mental health issues. Formerly, the national clinical monitor for several multi-site protocols for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (Mt. Sinai Medical Center, NYC), she is the WebMD Moderator for Anxiety/Panic Disorders Board, a medical consultant to Social Security Div. of Disability Determinations and a published book author. She has over 25 years direct-service experience in all areas of adult mental health services including psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, CMHCs, EAPs and forensic settings. Interests: anxiety disorders, geropsychiatry, organic mental disorders, psychoneuroimmunology. Associated links: Dr. Patricia A. Farrell
Ideal CE course for these professions
This continuing education course is especially relevant for these healthcare professions, but other professionals may also benefit
Accreditations

Frequently asked questions
How many CE credits does this course provide?
This course, "Decoding Medical Illness vs. Psychological Disorders", provides 6 contact hours of continuing education credit upon successful completion.
Is this course accredited?
Yes, this course is accredited by Nursing, Mental Health. AchieveCE is an approved provider of continuing education for healthcare professionals.
Which professions is this course approved for?
This course is especially relevant for: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist, Certified Nursing Assistant, Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers, Social Worker Intern, Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Master Social Worker, Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Independent Social Worker, Nursing Assistive Personnel, Certified Nurse Aides, Registered Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nurses, Forensic Nurse-CSA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Psychiatric Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, APRN - Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Licensed Nursing Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern, Licensed Masters Social Worker, Master's Social Work, Certified Nurse Specialist, Licensed Certified Social Worker, Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, Licensed Independent Social Worker Dual, Certified Nursing Assistant, Registered Social Worker Assistant, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, Bachelor's Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker Advanced Practice, Licensed Graduate Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker Clinical Practice. Other healthcare professionals may also benefit from this continuing education content.
How do I report my CE credits after completing this course?
Your credits are automatically and instantly reported to CE Broker upon successful completion. No manual reporting is required on your part.
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion immediately after finishing the course and passing the assessment. The certificate can be downloaded and printed directly from your account.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can request a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
How long do I have to complete this course?
You have unlimited time to complete the course at your own pace. Once purchased, the course is available in your account until its expiration date. You can pause and resume at any time.
Most helpful reviews
I am always interested in continuing education in the areas of health, wellness, nutrition and mental health. Your course was well written, well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements.
Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!
I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to CEBroker to support mandated education requirements.
I really loved this information. I was hospitalized last year for almost a month and I noticed multiple medical errors (not being hooked up to my IV multiple times, given wrong medication which caused my sodium to be very low, etc.) which lengthened my stay. I can now define those exact errors and better understand what happened to me. I hate that these medical errors are so common and I appreciate how well laid out your breakdown and categorization of them was.
Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!
I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to CEBroker to support mandated education requirements.
I really loved this information. I was hospitalized last year for almost a month and I noticed multiple medical errors (not being hooked up to my IV multiple times, given wrong medication which caused my sodium to be very low, etc.) which lengthened my stay. I can now define those exact errors and better understand what happened to me. I hate that these medical errors are so common and I appreciate how well laid out your breakdown and categorization of them was.
Buy with confidence with money back guarantees

This course is guaranteed to meet or exceed your expectations for convenience and quality. View Terms

Includes all state CE requirements and hours needed for your license renewal. View Terms
Requirements & disclosures
Financial Disclosures
This activity was developed by AchieveCE free of any commercial support. The following individuals have indicated that they have no financial relationships with an ineligible company that may impact upon this activity:
Patricia A. Farrell PhD - Content Expert and Faculty
Patricia Dunn, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC - Nurse Planner and, Content Expert and Faculty
Gracielle Tubera - Content Reviewer
Luke Porter – Content Reviewer
Dianne Arroyo - Activity Publisher
Passing Grade
Participants must achieve a passing score on the activity post-test, which may be 70% or 80%, depending on the course. They must also complete an activity evaluation. There are no time limits and unlimited test-taking attempts. Credits will be reported automatically to CE Broker if your license information is entered correctly in your profile.
Hardware Requirements
Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.1+, iOS 10+, Android 4.3+
Software Requirements
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Acrobat Reader
Network Requirements
Broadband Internet Connection: T1, Hi-speed DSL or Cable4G cellular connection
Save 70% or more with a membership


