Topics in Family Medicine

Self-awareness and team attention to integration of many options for patients is the hallmark of continuity in the specialty of Family Medicine. In this age of increasing attention to outcomes, it behooves all of us to use our knowledge to work closely with colleagues and staff, using professionalism in communication, for the best team approach. Placing patient needs above self-interests is paramount to the best care while enjoying a life outside of medicine.

Staying up to date with current knowledge of diagnosis, treatment and management requires diligence in maintaining a topical approach to common situations. This series of lectures will identify potential issues with each situation, allowing the clinician the ability to best recognize, diagnose, treat and provide the patient with appropriate advice and management plan. Each topic is tailored not only to educate and update with the best medical evidence available, but to also present an appropriate approach to cost effective care. Content will focus on utilizing team work, developing patient safety strategies, and providing equitable health care. Stimulating thoughtful comments and questions regarding shared or unique experiences will engage the attendees in team and self-improvement concepts.

1. Exercise for the pregnant patient
   • Propose appropriate exercise for the individual pregnant patient
2. Medicine on the go
   • Identify potential issues, analyze situation, develop a plan through discussion of presentation and attendee experiences
3. Thyroid evaluation and treatment
   • Confidently devise evaluation and treatment plan for the abnormal thyroid
4. Marine bites from the sea
   • Conclude the best treatment based on knowledge of the marine life inflicting the injury
5. Selected recommendations from the USPSTF
   • Translate the evidence-based recommendations for a population into an individual plan
6. Common bowel complaints
   • Recognize, diagnose and provide patient with appropriate management plan
7. Concussion concerns
   • Utilize on and off field knowledge of injury with modalities for further treatment
8. Athlete heart concerns
   • Evaluate potential cardiac issues in athlete
9. Pap guidelines and management
   • Differentiate Pap findings and propose options
10. Stress fracture
    • Interpret mechanism of injury, physical exam and imaging evidence for optimal management
11. Optimizing Results through Teamwork
    • Apply the characteristics of successful teams and tools to build teamwork and improve outcomes
    • Describe how teamwork can improve chronic disease metrics
    • List and explain stages of team formation
12. Preparing Your Patients for a Successful Transition to their Golden Years
    • Improve the wellness of the elder patients seen
    • Address preventive measures for elder patients
    • Provide appropriate medication management for the elderly
    • Improve communication strategies in discussing advance dirctives with patients
13. Medical Error Reduction: Optimizing Outcomes and Patient Safety
    • Discuss types of medical errors that can result in increased morbidity and mortality
    • Minimize potential cognitive error risks to result in improved outcomes and patient safety
    • Explain how diagnosis momentum can result in medical errors
14. Travel Medicine: Prevention Goes International
    • Discuss the scope of US travelers abroad
    • Assess appropriately the medical risk to the traveler
    • List commonly needed Immunizations for travelers
    • Implement helpful travel preventative treatments
    • Utilize travel medicine related website resources
15. Optimizing Patient Safety: Appropriate Opioid Prescribing
    • Appropriately evaluate a patient for Chronic Pain
    • Utilize general guidelines for prescribing Controlled Substances / Opioids, including the new CDC guidelines
    • Implement the use of multiple modalities in managing chronic pain
    • Explain the added risks when prescribing opioids in excess of 100 mg/day Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME)
    • Implement strategies to improve patient safety and compliance with guidelines in prescribing opioids and other Controlled Substances
16. Behavioral Health Care: Knowledge Self-Assessment
    • Examine personal gaps in clinical practice relative to diagnosis and management of patients with symptoms / diagnosis of depression
    • Examine personal gaps in clinical practice relative to diagnosis and management of patients with additional common behavioral health conditions
    • Provide equitable care for patients with behavioral health conditions
17. Is There a Doctor Onboard: In-flight Medical Emergencies
    • Understand availability of emergency medical equipment on US air carriers
    • Explain and prepare for the medical volunteer role on an in-flight medical emergency
    • Integrate additional resources when managing an in-flight medical emergency, includng ground-based medical support
    • Utilize guidelines in managing in-flight medical emergencies