SPOKANE, Wash. More than 400 primary care physicians, physicians assistants, nurses, and pharmacists will attend the 27th annual Primary Care Update April 30 May 1 in Spokane to keep current in their practices and obtain continuing medical education credits in such topics as obesity; depression; diabetes; prescription drug interactions; dermatology; nutrition; hand, wrist and elbow injuries; concussion management and more.
“The committee has worked very hard to ensure this annual event is filled with top notch speakers who provide valuable information to assist primary care providers in caring for their patients,” said conference chair, Dr. Gary Newkirk.
This two-day conference is designed for primary care providers including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and allied health professionals will take place at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park in downtown Spokane. It is presented by the Inland NW Academy of Family Physicians, Family Medicine Spokane Residency Program, and the Area Health Education Center of Eastern Washington, Washington State University Extension.
“We are pleased to welcome back Ted Rosen, MD, from Baylor College of Medicine, who will present on chronic urticaria and dermoscopy. Also returning are Israrel Coutin, MD from California, presenting, ‘Geriatricians View of the Hospitalized Patient’, and our very own Ken Cathcart, DO from Northside Internal Medicine, presenting ‘Adrenal Deficiency Diseases’ and ‘Adult Diabetes’,” Newkirk said.
PZ Pearce, MD of Champions Sports Medicine, will present “Concussion Management and Cognitive Function Testing,” as the Dr. John Plastino Memorial Lecture. Plastino was a long-time conference committee member instrumental in training and education of primary care providers as well as the team doctor for area sports programs.
Primary Care Update is designed to provide the opportunity for healthcare professionals to participate in educational sessions and workshops designed with the primary care practitioner in mind. Attendees come from all over the Northwest including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Canada.
Healthcare professionals can earn even more continuing medical education (CME) credits for a low registration price with the approval of many evidence-based presentations which double the credit for individual sessions.
Featured topics include: “Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents,” “Risky Drugs for the Elderly,” “Hospice & Primary Care,” “Adolescent Depression Screening: Screening and Treatment,” “GI Problems,” “Drugs that May Change Your Practice,” “Unusual Case Presentations of Eating Disorders,” “Practical Pearls in Primary Care,” a diabetes track and more.
Several pre-conference activities are offered Thursday, April 29, including a dinner workshop entitled, “Primary Care Endoscopy: New Developments Proton Pump Inhibitors: Safety Concerns with Long Term Use.” Another evening workshop offered is “Precepting Students in WWAMI Volunteers Needed!” Pre-registration is required. A two-hour workshop on “Ruling Out Liability: A Risk Management Tool Kit for Office Practice” is for physicians of all specialties offered by Physicians Insurance and includes continuing education credits as well.
For the conference brochure, full schedule, and registration information, go online www.ahec.spokane.wsu.edu, or contact AHEC of E. WA, WSU Extension at 509-358-7640 or ahec@wsu.edu.