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National Specialist Preferencing (NSP) Learning Series: Pathway to Tier 1
Activity description
Specialists and primary care providers (PCPs) play a critical role in shaping patient outcomes, yet many are not fully equipped or supported to consistently deliver high-value, evidence-based care. The current state reflects fragmented care delivery, inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines, and limited use of data to inform referral decisions. This contributes to avoidable complications, unnecessary procedures, and suboptimal recovery experiences for patients. The ideal state is one in which specialists and PCPs are empowered with transparent performance data, collaborative tools, and clinical pathways that support informed decision-making and personalized care. Patients would benefit from more consistent use of conservative treatment before surgery, improved coordination across care teams, and reduced exposure to low-value interventions.
The goal of this activity is for learners—both specialists and PCPs—to identify their current performance, recognize areas for improvement, and adopt practices that enhance patient safety, recovery, and long-term quality of life.
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of specialist physicians and primary care providers who have an interest in enhancing patient safety and improving long-term quality of life
At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Apply NSP Data to Referral Decisions: Evaluate how clinical performance metrics and outcome data influence patient care across the continuum, using case-based scenarios to ensure referrals align with best outcomes and cost efficiency.
- Leverage NSP Scorecards for Improvement: Interpret specialist tiering and performance metrics within the NSP framework to identify gaps and implement strategies for clinical excellence.
- Identify and Improve Evidence-Based Care Pathways: Prioritize conservative treatment options and guideline-driven interventions to minimize low-value care and unnecessary procedures.
- Enhance Shared Decision-Making: Demonstrate patient-centered communication techniques and use decision aids that foster collaboration between PCPs and specialists.
- Coordinate Interdisciplinary Care: Collaborate with PCPs, specialists, and care teams to design integrated care plans for complex patients, improving continuity and reducing fragmentation.
Provided by
This activity is jointly provided by Optum Health Education and Optum Health.
Commercial support
There was no commercial support received for this activity.
Planners
Richard C. “Chad” Mather III, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Officer, Optum Specialty Care
Clinical Associate Professor, Duke Orthopaedics
Sarah Chart, RN
Vice President
Optum Health Education
Rebecca Gleason, RN, CCM
Activity Manager
Optum Health Education
Disclosures of relevant financial relationships
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Optum Health Education (OHE) requires all those in control of educational content to disclose their financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. Ineligible companies are defined by the ACCME as companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients. Individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, with ineligible companies and regardless of their view of the relevance of the relationship to the education. OHE ensures that the content is independent of commercial bias.
Financial Relationship Key
A-Advisory Board
CT-Clinical Trial
C-Consultant
E-Employee
G- Grant/Research Support or Funding
I-Stocks and Other Ownership Interests
S-Speakers’ Bureau
O-Other Financial or Material Support
Richard C Mather III, MD, MBA: Stryker (C/I)
All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
The remaining faculty and planners have no financial relationships to disclose.
Method for calculating CE credit
CE Credit was calculated by the complexity of content.
Accreditation statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Optum Health Education and Optum Health. Optum Health Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit designation statements
Nurses
The participant will be awarded up to 3.00 contact hour(s) of credit for attendance and completion of supplemental materials.
Nurse practitioners
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Physicians
Optum Health Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
PAs
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be provided to learners upon completion of activity requirements, enabling participants to register with licensing boards or associations that have not been pre-approved for credits. To apply for credit types not listed above, participants should use the procedure established by the specific organization with which they wish to obtain credit.
Available Credit
- 3.00 AMA - Physicians
- 3.00 ANCC - Nurses
- 3.00 Attendance - General Attendance
You must be logged into your account to participate in this activity. Get started by clicking “Register/Continue” and following the instructions. At the end of the activity, you will be able to view, save or print your certificate of participation. A complete listing of all of your activities can be found under “My Account,” “My Activities.”