- Analyze clinical trial data for long-acting injectable agents for schizophrenia
- Integrate counseling strategies for long-acting injectable medications into individualized management plans for patients with schizophrenia
- Describe the criteria used to define difficult-to-treat depression.
- Assess the safety and efficacy of VNS in the management of difficult-to-treat depression.
- Implement strategies to identify patients with difficult-to-treat depression who may be appropriate candidates for VNS therapy.
Southern California Psychiatry Conference 2026 Spotlight Symposia
The In-Person Symposia are included as part of Southern California Psychiatry Conference 2026 registration.
Integrating Motivational Interviewing Techniques to Overcome Barriers to the use of Long-Acting Injectable Agents in Patients with Schizophrenia
July 10, 2026 10:35 AM - 11:35 AM PT
In-Person & Virtual
Overview
Schizophrenia is a significant mental illness that is characterized by features of psychosis, apathy, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment that often lead to functional impairment and poor health-related quality of life. Many patients have debilitating residual symptoms, difficulties with adherence, and drug-related adverse effects. Non-adherence to medication is associated with a higher risk of relapse and hospitalization, and this can affect up to 74% of patients by 18 months of treatment. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications have been developed to try to address these concerns through the elimination of daily dosing, reducing fluctuations in serum concentration, and allowing for regular monitoring. However, the use of LAIs remains limited among clinicians due to a lack of awareness and negative perceptions.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Target Audience
This educational activity is directed toward psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, PAs, RNs, pharmacists and other HCPs involved in the management of patients with Schizophrenia.
Accreditation/Credit Designation
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #16669, for 1.0 Contact Hour.
Physicians' Education Resource®, LLC (PER) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Physicians' Education Resource®, LLC has approved this knowledge-based activity for 1.0 ACPE CE hours 0661-0000-26-021-L01-P. Eligibility for credits requires full attendance, engagement in the live activity, completion and submission of the learner NABP ID # and month and day of birth, activity pre-and post-session questions, and the post activity evaluation. This UAN # expires October 31, 2027.
Acknowledgement of Educational Grant Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine.
Optimizing Treatment for Difficult-to-Treat Depression: The Role of Vagal Nerve Stimulation Therapy
July 10, 2026 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM PT
In-Person & Virtual
Overview
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and often disabling psychiatric illness that affects millions of individuals in the United States (US). Despite a broad array of antidepressant therapies (ADTs), response remains suboptimal. Up to two-thirds of patients do not achieve remission with initial treatment, and relapses are common, even among those who initially respond. Difficult-to-treat depression (DTD), previously referred to as treatment-resistant depression, can affect the psychological and well as physical quality of life for patients. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulatory therapy approved for chronic or recurrent depression that has not responded to multiple treatments; however, VNS is increasingly being considered earlier in the treatment course for patients with DTD, especially those with recurrent illness, functional impairment, and poor response to medication and psychotherapy.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Target Audience
This educational activity is directed toward psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, PAs, RNs, pharmacists and other HCPs involved in the management of patients with difficult-to-treat depression.
Accreditation/Credit Designation
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #16669, for 1.0 Contact Hour.
Physicians' Education Resource®, LLC (PER) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Physicians' Education Resource®, LLC has approved this knowledge-based activity for 1.0 ACPE CE hours 0661-0000-26-020-L01-P. Eligibility for credits requires full attendance, engagement in the live activity, completion and submission of the learner NABP ID # and month and day of birth, activity pre-and post-session questions, and the post activity evaluation. This UAN # expires November 30, 2027.
Acknowledgement of Educational Grant Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from LivaNova.