Patient, Provider and Caregiver Connection™: Individualizing Care in Hemophilia A—Understanding Patient Challenges and the Role of Innovative Treatment

Target Audience

This online educational activity is directed toward hematologists, nurse practitioners, PAs, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of patients with Hemophilia.

Activity Overview

Over the past 20 years, substantial advances in the treatment of hemophilia A have allowed patients to take greater control of their disease. The primary goals of hemophilia A treatment are to prevent bleeding episodes, reduce long-term complications of bleeding, and arrest bleeding if it occurs. The mainstay of therapy for patients with hemophilia A is supplementation of the missing factor VIII (FVIII) proteins; however, over time patients can develop neutralizing antibodies to factor VIII concentrates. These alloantibodies, often referred to as inhibitors, reduce the effectiveness of therapy and significantly increase morbidity and mortality. Inhibitors pose a significant challenge in the treatment of hemophilia A, making management of bleeding episodes difficult and surgical procedures very challenging. Health care providers should understand the underlying etiology and pathophysiology of hemophilia A. In addition, providers should be familiar with how patients perceive their disease and how health-related and economic burdens of hemophilia A impact patients and their families.

In this activity, a patient with hemophilia A and his caregiver discuss the impact that his disease has on their family. Our expert faculty discuss the range of available, new, and emerging therapies for hemophilia A, as well as the problem of inhibitor development.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:

Review guidelines and recommendations for the management of acute and prophylactic care of bleeding episodes, hemorrhagic complications, and inhibitor development in patients with hemophilia A
Develop individualized treatment plans for hemophilia A based on patient-dependent factors
Examine the burden and impact of hemophilia A on the patient including their own perspectives