Family Medicine An Evidence-Based Approach to Patient Care

American Medical Seminars, Inc. was founded to provide high-quality practice-based CME. In 1986, AMS embarked upon what has become 20 years of presenting CME activities. In 1998, AMS was granted Accreditation by the ACCME to become the responsible provider of CME for physicians and other healthcare providers. AMS currently provides approximately 23+ live CME activities from November through June each year.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES for this course

DAY 1 - EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS-Non-pharmacologic methods to manage hypertension. Advantages and disadvantages of antihypertensive medications and their compelling indications. Identify the therapeutic goal for different patient populations and the combination therapies to achieve that goal. TREATING TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS-Therapeutic goals in treating Type 2 Diabetes and their medical rationale. Oral agents for treating Type 2 Diabetes. Need for insulin in Type 2 Diabetes and therapeutic insulin options. DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PATIENTS-3 types of patients most doctors hate to see. Useful strategies for dealing with difficult patients. Counter-transference reactions to patients. Accept that you cannot be successful with all patients. MIGRAINE HEADACHES-Symptoms and triggers that commonly cause migraine headaches. Danger signs/symptoms in headache patients. Distinguish migraine from sinus headaches. Prophylaxis and treatment options. DAY 2 - SLEEP APNEA-Identify sleep apnea in disguise. Complications of sleep apnea to better inform your patients of their resulting risks, dangers and sequelae. Diagnostic methods. Treatment, as well as strategies to improve compliance. LOW BACK PAIN-Major anatomic structure involved in low back pain. Physical exam that results in conservation of your time as well as health care resources. Common causes. Treatment options. OSTEOPOROSIS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT-Risk factors associated with osteoporosis. Methods for evaluating risk for osteoporosis. Various therapeutic classes of medications and their appropriate use. ANEMIA-Common anemias and their usual etiology. Diagnostic evaluation needed to determine the etiology of the anemia. Therapeutic options for each of the identified anemias. Follow-up plans for assessing the efficacy of treatment for each anemia. DAY 3 - HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES Clinical differences in oral contraceptives. The appropriate agent for specific patients. Telative and absolute contraindications to oral contraceptives. VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM (VTE) DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT-Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests available for the identification of DVT. Diagnosing a PE in various clinical settings. Monitoring and adjustment of warfarin therapy for DVT/PE. BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA-Irritation vs. obstructive symptoms of BPH. Pitfalls in distinguishing BPH from prostate cancer. Diagnostic approach to BPH. Advantages of watchful waiting over active treatment and shared decision making with your patients. ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION-Distinguish organic from psychological causes. The workup of ED. Non-surgical treatments for ED. When to refer for surgery. DAY 4 - ADULT ADHD-Criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD. Controversies surrounding adult ADHD. Common ways ADHD presents. Treatment approaches. THE SUICIDAL PATIENT-How to identify patients with suicidal ideation. How not to get sued in caring for a suicidal patient. Comprehensive evaluation of the suicidal patient. Role of the primary care provider in the management of the suicidal patient. COPD-Evidence-based treatments that have been shown to alter the course of COPD. How to approach the smoker in order to ensure the greatest likelihood of achieving cessation. Basic pathophysiology of COPD. When and why to use various medications in COPD. Asthma-Pathophysiology of asthma and how the various medications work to thwart the disease process. NHLBI guidelines for assessing impairment and risk from asthma. Side effects of asthma medications and answer patients concerns regarding them. The step-care process and appropriate combinations of medications for asthma. DAY 5 - MENISCAL TEARS/ILIOTIBIAL BAND FRICTION SYNDROME-Anatomy, body-mechanics, and pathophysiology of iliotibial band friction syndrome. Treatment strategies including training changes, medication and specific exercises. Anatomy and physiology of the meniscus and how this relates to tears and their treatment. Important points in history, physical and testing that lead to a diagnosis of damaged meniscus. Benefits and implications of surgical vs. conservative management of meniscal tear. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-Recognize the potential domestic violence victim in your office. Domestic violence from the victims point of view and reasons she/he may not wish to act on it. Frequency of domestic violence and specific risk factors to consider. Methods for addressing domestic violence as a problem. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER-How to identify PTSD in Iraq War Veterans. APA diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Treatment of PTSD. How to identify PTSD in the primary care setting. BIPOLAR DISORDER IN PRIMARY CARE-Criteria for bipolar disorder. Common ways bipolar disorder presents. Common medication mistakes. When to refer to a psychiatrist.