Pre-courses
Thirteen courses kick off Internal Medicine 2012 and provide in-depth examination of selected topics. Many of these fill early so you'll want to register soon.
- Register for Pre-courses
- Find pre-courses by date and click on the box to left to add courses to your shopping cart. ACP Members must log in for Member pricing.
PRE1201: Bedside Hand-Carried Ultrasound
PRE1202: Dermatology for the Internist
PRE1203: Diabetes for the Internist
PRE1204: Hospital Medicine
PRE1205: Advances in Therapy
PRE1206: Cardiology for the Internist
PRE1207: Advanced Leadership Thinking
PRE1208: Critical Care Medicine 2012
PRE1209: MOC Exam Preparation
PRE1210: 2010 Update Office-Based IM, C0-K
PRE1211: 2010 Update Hospital-Based IM, A0-K
PRE1212: 2011 Update Internal Medicine, C0-L
PRE1213: 2011 Update Hospital Medicine, 83-L
Bedside, Hand-Carried Ultrasound–Guided Thoracentesis and Paracentesis
PRE 1201 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Roger W. Bush, MD, FACP
Associate Director, Internal Medicine Residency, Virginia Mason Medical
Center, Seattle, WA
The use of bedside, portable diagnostic ultrasonography devices by nonradiologists is increasing because of both maturing and more affordable technology and evidence of improved patient safety and process efficiency.
This pre-course will introduce the hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) unit to internists and provide hands-on practice in its use for procedural guidance (paracentesis and thoracentesis). Participants will learn to use HCU to improve safety, value, and comfort for patients while minimizing motion, handoffs, and wait times. After hands-on practice in each aspect of the procedures, teams will run through the procedures, discussing and assessing performance. This is primarily a procedural pre-course, in which hand-carried ultrasound is used to guide needle placement. Instruction will be tailored to individual learner goals as much as possible. Please note this is not an “ultrasound immersion” pre-course.
Learning Objectives:
- Become familiar with the use of bedside, hand-carried ultrasound units in procedural guidance.
- Become familiar with sterile technique, draping, and antiseptic methods.
- Become familiar with thoracentesis and paracentesis, their application in diagnosis and alliation, supply lists,risks, benefits, and coding implications.
- Become familiar with universal protocol (preprocedural pause).
- Acquire hands-on experience using hand-carried ultrasound units, standardized patients, and simulators.
Dermatology for the Internist
PRE 1202 Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Elizabeth M. Billingsley, MD
Professor of Dermatology, Director, Mohs Micrographic Surgery and
Dermatologic Surgery, Penn State University, Hershey Medical Center,
Hershey, PA
Patients often present to their internist with skin concerns. Many of these concerns are common conditions that, once identified, can be easily addressed without a referral to a dermatologist. With the aid of an audience-response system, faculty will engage participants in identifying many of these common dermatologic conditions and will review appropriate steps for diagnosis and management of these conditions in the primary care setting. Practical approaches, including biopsy techniques, will be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common dermatologic problems that present in the primary care setting and initiate appropriate treatment.
- Recognize cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases.
- Review biopsy techniques and know when to apply each technique.
Diabetes for the Internist
PRE 1203 Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Harold E. Lebovitz, MD, FACE
Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, State University of
New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
The management of diabetes mellitus has become more complex and confusing as a result of 1) newer knowledge; 2) the failure of recently completed large clinical trials to achieve their expected primary end points; and 3) concern about the safety of many commonly used pharmacologic agents. Ethnic and gender differences in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications make it apparent that strategies for management should differ depending on the characteristics of the patients and the stage of their diabetes. This pre-course will provide the internist with the latest information about the abnormalities that underlie the development and progression of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how these abnormalities influence therapeutic decisions. It will emphasize the rationale and current controversies for the practical application of newer treatment strategies and pharmacologic agents. It will discuss the role of newer treatments as compared with older and less costly generic treatments. Safety issues of antidiabetic agents relative to cardiovascular disease, microvascular disease and cancer will be critically reviewed and evaluated as to their implications for patient management. The complex issue of prevention of diabetes, as well as the role of pharmacologic agents in decreasing β-cell apoptosis or even increasing β-cell mass, will be debated. The new field of matching genetic abnormalities with specific therapies will be presented. The emphasis throughout the pre-course, where possible, will be on strategies to improve clinical outcomes rather than surrogate end points.
Learning Objectives:
- Design glycemic treatment strategies on the basis of an analysis of the risk-benefit ratio of available pharmacologic agents presented by the newer clinical trials.
- Effectively use available and newly developed incretinmimetic and incretin-sparing therapies.
- Develop insulin treatment programs that are appropriate for each individual patient and recognize the more recently appreciated dangers of severe hypoglycemia and excessive weight gain.
- Use glucose-monitoring devices in a cost-effective manner.
- Reduce clinical cardiovascular events by appropriately identifying and managing cardiovascular risk factors.
- Understand the various strategies available for treating obesity and lipotoxicity.
- Appreciate the role of metabolic surgery as an option in the treatment of some patients with type 2 diabetes.
Hospital Medicine: From Admission to Discharge
PRE 1204 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Jamie Newman, MD, FACP
Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Rochester, MN
Hospital medicine is a specialty dedicated to the expert management of acutely ill, hospital inpatients. Hospitalists are educators, clinicians, researchers, and leaders with a focus on quality, safety, resource utilization, and transitions of care. The approach of this pre-course will be to address issues in clinical inpatient care, with a hospitalist perspective on management and process improvement. The individual lectures will be framed by the hospitalization of one patient, who will be followed from admission to discharge; have a case-based format; and use an audience response system. The faculty, composed of experienced hospitalists from around the United States, will discuss ideal medical management and explore how to minimize the risk for many nosocomial complications. This pre-course will present an advanced perspective of hospital medicine.
Learning Objectives:
- Review inpatient management of infectious diseases and antibiotic choices.
- Learn how to evaluate and implement quality projects.
- Explore the necessary steps to ensure a safe hospitalization.
- Learn about the importance of cultural competency in inpatient management.
- Review core competencies of acute hospital care.
Advances in Therapy
PRE 1205 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Douglas S. Paauw, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Rathmann Family Foundation Endowed Chair for
Patient-Centered Clinical Education, Department of Medicine, Division of
General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine,
Seattle, WA
This pre-course will focus on pearls to help the practicing internist use drug therapies in the most effective manner. Newer medications and new uses for older medications will be covered. Current recommendations for “best therapy” for different diseases will also be covered. Common side effects of medications will be emphasized. Faculty will provide practical information on therapy for common symptoms, pulmonary therapies, diabetes, infectious diseases, and drug interactions.
Learning Objectives:
- Prescribe appropriate drug therapies for diseases commonly seen in the office.
- Understand the current uses of older drugs.
- Review the risk, benefit, and cost of various therapies.
- Gain better understanding of drug reactions and interactions.
Cardiology for the Internist
PRE 1206 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Howard H. Weitz, MD, FACP, FACC
Director, Division of Cardiology, Bernard L. Segal Professor of Medicine,
Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
This pre-course will provide a focused update of the diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches to the patient at risk for, or with known, cardiovascular disease. Expert clinician-educators will focus on the cardiovascular disease issues with which internists are most frequently faced. Subjects covered will include identification and management of acute and chronic coronary artery disease; optimal treatment of congestive heart failure; risk assessment and risk reduction for the patient with cardiac disease who undergoes noncardiac surgery; approach to the patient with valvular heart disease; state-of-the-art approach to the patient with atrial fibrillation; approach to the patient with various noncoronary emergencies, including pericardial tamponade, acute aortic dissection, and hypertensive emergency; and basic vascular disease for the internist.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with coronary artery disease (acute and chronic).
- Understand the approach to new-onset, as well as recurrent, congestive heart failure.
- Become familiar with the ACC/AHA guideline on valvular heart disease.
- Become familiar with the guidelines for the evaluation and care of the patient with cardiovascular disease who undergoes noncardiac surgery.
- Understand the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for venous and peripheral arterial disease.
- Become familiar with diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade.
- Become familiar with the treatment of hypertensive emergencies.
- Understand the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the patient who presents with acute aortic dissection.
- Become familiar with diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the patient with atrial fibrillation.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Leadership Thinking
PRE 1207 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Erik A. Wallace, MD, FACP
Associate Professor, Associate Program Director, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa,
OK
Elizabeth J. Warner, MD, FACP
Bronson Internal Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI
This leadership development pre-course will include didactic sessions and small-group discussions designed to allow participants the opportunity to hear from expert faculty and then apply the information in face-to-face interaction and hands-on problem-solving. The pre-course will explore cultural change, strategic thinking, and developing a shared vision. Discussion will then move to tips and techniques for empowering others and the various elements for managing change.
Small-group discussions will be facilitated by some of the College’s most successful past Regents, Governors, and Council members. Many of these mentors are also Masters of the College. This pre-course counts towards the LEAD (Leadership Enhancement and Development) certificate, and is part of the College’s leadership development program.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the principles of cultural change and apply these principles to successful strategic thinking and planning.
- Demonstrate skills needed to create a shared vision among a group of colleagues.
- Identify and demonstrate strategies to empower and encourage others.
- Identify and demonstrate the competencies needed to manage change.
Critical Care Medicine 2012
PRE 1208 Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Robert A. Balk, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Rush Medical College; Director of Pulmonary and
Critical Care Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
This pre-course will provide the opportunity to understand the principles of diagnosis and management of common clinical problems and conditions encountered in the intensive care unit. Particular attention will be placed on the recognition of disease process, acute management of critical illness, and prevention of complications of critical illness in the critically ill adult patient.
Topics include acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction, acute stroke management, acute lung injury and ARDS, pulmonary embolism, drug overdose, septic shock, and severe pneumonia. Also discussed will be the management of patients with a wide variety of infectious diseases, approaches to mental status evaluation, fever in the intensive care unit, therapeutic hypothermia, mechanical ventilatory support of the critically ill patient, and methods for preventing common complications in the critically ill patient.
Learning Objectives:
- Update the internist on common disorders and diseases encountered in the intensive care unit.
- Review the diagnostic techniques used in the management of the critically ill adult.
- Discuss recommendations for the management of common critical illnesses encountered in the intensive care unit and prevention of complications of critical illness.
Maintenance of Certification Exam Preparation
PRE 1209 Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ronald N. Rubin, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of
Hematology, Temple University Medical School, Philadelphia, PA
This pre-course is designed to help physicians prepare for the final examination of the general internal medicine recertification process. The format is highly interactive and uses brief didactic presentations and case-based, multiple choice questions similar in format to those of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) examination. With the aid of the audience-response system, faculty engage participants in clinical problem solving that reflects the ABIM examination blueprint. The multiple-choice questions and supporting materials are derived from ACP products, including the most current version of MKSAP. Expert faculty use the question-based format as a springboard for discussion of timely and important topics and developments across the spectrum of internal medicine. Actual examination content is not known; however, core topics in internal medicine and current literature approaches are emphasized.
Learning Objectives:
- Increase and refresh knowledge of core topics in internal medicine through presentations of common and not-so common clinical problems.
- Become adept working through difficult test questions logically and successfully.
- Implement changes in clinical advances in accordance with recent advances and clinical guidelines.
ABIM Maintenance of Certification Learning Sessions
2010 Update in Office-Based Internal Medicine, Module C0-K
PRE 1210 Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-noon
2010 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine, Module A0-K
PRE 1211 Tuesday, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Craig S. Kitchens, MD, MACP
Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of
Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Daniel M. Lichtstein, MD, FACP
Regional Dean for Medical Education, Professor of Medicine, Department of
Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL
2011 Update in Internal Medicine, Module C0-L
PRE 1212 Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-noon
2011 Update in Hospital Medicine, Module 83-L
PRE 1213 Wednesday, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Carmella A. Cole, MD, FACP
Associate Chair, Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center,
Washington, DC
Deborah Topol, MD, FACP
Associate Program Director, Department of Internal Medicine,Washington
Hospital Center, Washington, DC
These live, self-study sessions are designed to help internists complete the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge modules through group discussion led by expert faculty. An audience-response system is used to enhance the learning experience and encourage participation. On each day, Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be two separate sessions (one in the morning and another in the afternoon).
These sessions will cover the 2010 and 2011 Update modules in Hospital-Based and Office-Based Internal Medicine. Each of the four Update modules contains 25 multiple-choice questions and qualifies for 10 Maintenance of Certification points in the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge category. You must register separately for each session that you wish to attend. Each session is designated for 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1Credits™.
Learning Objectives:
- Participate in group discussion to determine answers to multiple choice questions.
- Complete the module(s) toward fulfillment of ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification requirements.
The American College of Physicians will provide you with a learner’s copy of the ABIM module(s) at the meeting. If you are enrolled in the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification program, you also must order the module directly from ABIM by visiting www.abim.org/online. After the learning session, submit your answers online to ABIM for Maintenance of Certification credit. For more information about ABIM’S Maintenance of Certification program, visit www.abim.org/moc.
*If you are already enrolled in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program, there is no additional fee for this official version of the module. If you are not enrolled, you may attend the learning session; however, you must enroll before receiving Maintenance of Certification credit for the knowledge module. To enroll, visit the ABIM Website.
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