We all have mental, emotional, and spiritual struggles and these can manifest as both mental and physical disease. Learn how to better address mental and emotional trauma in your patients to more fully encompass the Osteopathic approach to patient care.
Artificial nutrition and hydration at the end of life especially among the population facing advance stage progression in neurodegenerative diseases as a dementia has always been a medically, socially, and psychologically challenging community topic. It poses engagement of ethical and medical challenge to preconceived beliefs, cultural traditions , religious observances that surround every day medical decision faced by the patients and their families as well as comfort ability level in recommendations offered by the clinician provider. How do we shape and evaluate the approach in discussing such delicate and emotional topic with patients’ families facing life limiting illness and navigate and guide them along the conflicting feelings involved in this major medical decisions? How do we best support the caregiving capacity and provide the feeling of safety guidance for families when addressing these important advance directives for their loved ones at the end of life? As it’s often believed, it takes a village, an interdisciplinary panel of clinicians, to take care of a person through their various stages in life. Palliative care offers unique perspective and enhanced communication tools to the medical providers when approaching to difficult conversations surrounding artificial nutrition and hydration at the end of life.
Atrial fibrillation is a common yet often often incompletely treated condition. Reviewing goals for treatment as well as plan of care based off of criteria as well as clinical history is paramount to successful management. Furthermore exploration of the secondary causes of atrial fibrillation is keye to improving outcomes and symptom control. Obstructive sleep apnea is a leading pulmonic cause of atrial fibrillation and can be easily missed.
Examine the application of continuous glucose monitoring (CMG) in the primary care setting, including in resource limited or uninsured populations. Current guidelines from the Endocrine Society and American Diabetes Association suggest the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) for adult patients with Type I diabetes with an A1c above or at target.1-2 Likewise, guidelines recommend the use of short-term, intermittent RT-CGM use in patients with type 2 diabetes who have an A1c more than or equal to 7.0%. Use of CGM can reduce A1c levels by 0.5-1.2% and prevent hypoglycemic episodes. Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in diabetes care, including the implementation of technologies such as CGMs, result in disproportionate levels of morbidity and mortality among marginalized populations, and demonstrate a gap in access to care. Likewise, there are disparities in access to specialist care including endocrinologists, demonstrating an area where primary care providers can implement technology such as CGM to improve access.
Women encompass 50% of current medical school graduates and yet there is a 25% gender wage gap in medicine where women make on average at least 25% less than men. There are very few women in medicine leadership roles and 40% of women go part time or leave medicine completely within 6 years of graduating medical school. In our practice, we have shown that value based care not only is the future of a sustainable US healthcare system for patients, it also addresses all of these disparities in gender in medicine and is a way for all physicians to escape the hamster wheel and burn out of our current system. This presentation is a reflection on current state, successes, and guidance for the practice of medicine in the future to address these concerns.
This presentation is different than most food as medicine ones as it looks at the DATA behind actually recommending for or against use of certain foods.
An in-depth discussion about high-altitude illnesses, specifically those that relate to hypobaric hypoxia. We will explore prevention and treatment strategies as well as the newest research and guidelines for the management of said disorders.
Human trafficking is a growing market that infiltrates all geographic and socioeconomic areas. Learning to identify potential victims will make an impact in our local and national communities. Goal: To increase awareness of potential human trafficking victims, learn identifying markets and resources.
The primary care physician plays a key role in identification of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). Awareness and early recognition of MAFLD within our patient population allows us to engage in important conversations with patients about risk stratification, monitoring, and efforts towards reversibility. This educational session will also highlight literature based recommendations regarding indications for primary care referral to gastroenterology for further MAFLD management.
Review details of studies that show that OMM helps in pre and post operative patients, then go over different OMM techniques to help treat the areas treated in the studies and the areas to decrease the most common causes for post-operative infections.
Professionalism is discussed frequently in medical schools, graduate training programs, as well as in office and hospital settings. Who decides what is professional and what is not "professional"? Can "professionalism" be used as a weapon to exclude people who are different? This session will describe the origins of the concept of professionalism and its historical use as a "weapon" to marginalize women and underrepresented minorities. The session will conclude with techniques to create a more inclusive professionalism concept that is more culturally and gender diverse. Session objectives stated at the beginning of the presentation
1. Included topics for discussion:
a. The origins of the concept of professionalism and the meaning of professionalism
b. How professionalism is used to exclude or conform individuals to restrictive standards
c. Life examples of the weaponization of professionalism in the medical field.
2. In summary, solutions to improve cultural inclusiveness in our definition and use of professionalism measures for all medical professionals, students, residents, attendings, and colleagues will be presented.
When do you consult ethics? Identifying an ethical dilemmas and how to approach them and manage them. Identify what is the role of an ethics committee. Learn how to assess clinical dilemmas and determine if they are ethical dilemmas
Identify what to do once you’ve determined there is an ethical dilemma
What is the role of an ethics committee in resolving this dilemma
Culinary medicine provides a unique opportunity to combine education and practical application of healthy dietary patterns. This workshop will offer a combination of didactic lectures, cooking challenges, and hands-on cooking demonstrations, equipping participants with the competence and skills to integrate culinary medicine and nutritional counseling into their patient care. The workshop will be facilitated by an interprofessional collaboration of culinary medicine experts and is limited to 75 participants.
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ACOFP’s OMT Boot Camp is intended to be a convenient refresher for those looking to improve existing OMT techniques and to re-introduce previously learned "hands-on" approaches. Instructors will present, demonstrate, and discuss interactive case presentation scenarios, including related OMT techniques. Whether you are preparing for your board performance exam or want to expand your skills to the next level, OMT Boot Camp is a hands-on learning opportunity you don’t want to miss!
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Discuss the requisite knowledge needed to begin using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in medical practice. Overview of ultrasound physics and machine knobology, the basics of image interpretation, and a review of clinical scenarios where POCUS may be useful. POCUS training is now taught to medical students at most medical schools. It is also to be learned by resident physicians in multiple specialties, recently required in Family Medicine programs. At the same time, there are many practicing physicians who have had little or no POCUS training in their schooling or residency, leaving them ill-prepared to use it in practice or supervise students and residents using it. This lecture will help to close this knowledge gap by exposing POCUS beginners to key concepts required for adopting it in practice. It will also allow more advanced users the opportunity to reaffirm their knowledge.
Narrative Medicine Practice with participants engaging in narrative medicine reflection, writing and sharing. Enhance skills of listening, witnessing and holding stories of others with an expanded perspective. Most of the time dedicated to writing, reflecting, and sharing with one another.
During this first 2-hour intense urgent care workshop, participants will receive hands-on instruction and practice on (1) Plantar Wart Treatment, Ingrown Toenails and Digital Blocks and (2) Fluorescein Eye Exams. Each participant will be able to practice and observe with immediate feedback from the supervising faculty. These urgent care workshops are designed for those looking to enhance their current skills and review current practice or looking to acquire new skills. Billing and coding associated with these procedures will also be reviewed.
Delve into the nuances of pediatric osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and uncover evidence-based strategies to achieve exceptional results. Explore key indications, contraindications, and techniques tailored for young patients, while seamlessly integrating parents/guardians into the treatment plan. Master the impact of bone ossification stages, address common pediatric conditions, and confidently perform OMT interventions for maximum patient benefit.
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This program will cover the laws and ethical guidelines related to research in Osteopathic Colleges. It will cover the ACOFP Ethical Guidelines in the treatment of patients by Family Practice physicians. It will explore the various requirements for clinical trials including those involving human subjects. There will also be discussion of the meaning of FDA approval and "off label" use.
Recruiting and retaining enough community preceptors is an ongoing challenge for family medicine clerkships. Enhanced pre-clerkship training, faculty development of preceptors, and incentives for precepting can improve motivation for precepting and allow students to be meaningful members of care teams. Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to: access resources to enhance their teaching skills; connect with medical schools within the state to develop mutually beneficial teaching relationships; and integrate students into clinical workflow. This program collaborates with Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Teacher (STFM) for the ACOFP Clinical Preceptor Education Series.
How do we get a medical license and keep a medical license. What could jeopardize your license? As a member of a state medical board working at a time where the Interstate Physician Compact is evolving, it is important that physicians are aware of changes and how to best position themselves to be able to get a license quickly and keep a license active or activatable.
Consider the pros and cons of AI-based technology use in the osteopathic doctor’s office. As such, will attendees leave this session, they will:
• Evaluate the framework of AI as it applies to healthcare and the ethical issues related to data entry.
• Analyze the dark sides of AI’s infrastructure and how they may adversely affect the osteopathic family physician.
• Create a balanced ethical approach to utilize AI in the office
Discover how a revolutionary approach to behavioral health referrals is transforming patient outcomes while tackling the access crisis. This presentation dives into groundbreaking research on TOP Match, a scientifically validated referral system that pairs patients with providers who deliver superior results. Attendees will explore the critical role of multi-dimensional assessments, the power of data-driven referrals, and evidence from PCORI-funded studies demonstrating 80% of patients returning to full health—setting a new standard in behavioral health care. By delivering this breakthrough in quality, the process also solves critical access issues, ensuring faster, more effective care for all. Join us to learn how the future of primary care can drive measurable, impactful outcomes for patients.
During this second 2-hour intense urgent care workshop, participants will be divided into small groups that will rotate through three unique stations for 40 minutes each with hands-on instruction and practice on (1) Suturing, (2) Incision & Drainage, and (3) Dislocation Reduction. Each participant will be able to practice and observe with immediate feedback from the supervising faculty. These urgent care workshops are for those looking to enhance their current skills and review current practice or looking to acquire new skills. Billing and coding associated with these procedures will also be reviewed.
Encouraging physicians to resume authority over the provision of health care. Family Physicians are well trained in a broad scope of medical conditions from preventative health and wellness to disease management to procedures. This lecture aims to encourage and inspire physicians to take the lead in healthcare, walking away from being seen as another employee of the "Health System" and becoming a primary driver of change for physician autonomy, patient care and and community leadership.
This session will provide tips for palliative symptom management for the primary care provider. The focus will be on high yield, common symptoms managed by palliative providers including nausea, dyspnea, anorexia, fatigue, and cancer-related pain.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use POCUS to evaluate common abdominal-based complaints in the family medicine office. This includes acquiring and interpreting images of the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, spleen, aorta, and bladder. Also includes a review of images representing key abnormal findings (i.e., cholecystitis, ascites, hydronephrosis, aortic aneurysm, urinary retention). All levels of POCUS experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced users.
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The OBGYN OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) course is designed for medical professionals specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. This course integrates principles of osteopathic medicine with a focus on women's health, covering techniques to assess and treat somatic dysfunctions related to the female reproductive system. Participants will learn hands-on manipulation strategies to enhance patient comfort during pregnancy, manage common gynecological conditions, and improve overall health outcomes. Not available for residents or medical students. This module is approved by AOBFP to count towards the recertification requirements from AOBFP for OMT.
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The proposed presentation will involve various topics in desert medicine including climatology, gear & preparation, heat related illnesses, common flora and fauna, and brief discussion about North American pit viper envenomation.
Otalgia is a common complaint to family medicine clinics, urgent care centers, and emergency departments. Understanding the potential sources of referred pain to the ear and how to approach from an osteopathic lens. Los: Broader DDX other than OM/OE for causes of ear pain in adults and children.
Recognition of referral sources of Otalgia including head, cervical and thoracic regions.
Recognize how to incorporate osteopathic manipulative medicine techniques into care of these patients.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use POCUS to evaluate common chest-based complaints in the family medicine office. This includes acquiring and interpreting images of the lungs/pleura and heart. Also includes review of images representing key abnormal findings (i.e., pleural effusion, pneumothorax, ventricular dysfunction, pericardial effusion). All levels of POCUS experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced user.
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Provide practicing primary care doctors practical information about how to care for cancer survivors, and what they can do to address survivorship care in everyday office visits. Attendees will be able to understand the following core components of comprehensive survivorship care through case-base learning: 1) late and long-term effects of treatment, 2) screening for second primary cancers, 3) routine screening for distress and psychological needs, 4) health promotion, and 5) connection to primary care for optimization of chronic conditions.
Glucagon-like peptides have been used in diabetes care for two decades but the development of newer, high-potency incretin agents for obesity have expanded the use of these medications and changed the landscape of obesity treatment. Medical therapies to treat obesity are approaching weight loss results seen with bariatric surgery. But this is just the beginning of the story. New, more effective agents are on the horizon and the utilization of incretin mimetics to reduce cardiovascular risk, treat fatty liver, improve obstructive sleep apnea, and even impact addictive behaviors provide exciting opportunities to expand treatment a wide range of health conditions. This session with review the past use of GLP-1 RA for diabetes, the expansion into obesity treatment, new indications for these medications, and future agents in the pipeline.
The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is an anatomical perspective, originated by US physician Stephen Typaldos, D.O., in which “the underlying etiology of virtually every musculoskeletal injury (and many neurological and medical conditions) is considered to be comprised of one or more of six specific pathological alterations of the body’s connective tissues (fascial bands, ligaments, tendons, retinacula, etc.). As a model, the FDM is an abbreviated interpretation of the pathology of fascial injuries and contemplates the structural consequences of orthopedic, medical, surgical, and manipulative interventions.” The introduction with video presentation is usually presented as a 2 hour workshop, giving time for some active participation and hands on training by the interested participants. It is difficult to cover the entirety of the 6 Fascial Distortion types in a one hour presentation. However, it can be presented as a standard 50 min presentation with Q& A afterward. When using that format, I will tend to pick a particular subject, ie. An Osteopathic Approach to XYZ (Low Back Pain, Ankle Sprain, Frozen Shoulder or similar) :Introduction to the Fascial Distortion Model. That approach assumes a working knowledge of the FDM on the part of the participants, which is often not the case in a large national conference of this type. I am happy to present in whatever format the committee would find of most value to the program.
Many physicians are unsure of when to recommend hospice care to their patients and what to look for in terminally ill patients. This didactic lecture will guide the family physician in understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care, recognizing signs of terminal decline, and offerring end of life care to their patients and their families.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use POCUS to evaluate common shoulder musculoskeletal complaints in the family medicine office. This includes acquiring and interpreting images of the rotator cuff muscles, biceps tendon, and surrounding anatomy. Also includes review of images representing key abnormal findings (i.e., tendinosis, tear, impingement). All levels of POCUS experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced user.
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Discussion of the DATA for or against recommendations of various commonly used supplements. Our patients come in all of the time telling us they are taking this or that. However, rarely is data discussed on whether or not it is safe or harmful, let along effective or not. This is a run down of some of the most common things I have seen in my office that people want to know about.
Join us for the second annual - BOOM! Different stations will be set up for you to be able to interact with attending physicians demonstrating OMT for a variety of somatic dysfunctions. Learn new techniques or ways of modifying ones with which you may already be familiar. Feel free to visit multiple stations at your leisure to get the most out of BOOM!
This didactics lecture, titled “LGBTQ+ Primary Care”, will be a case-based presentation. These synthesized cases will explore different, specific patients within the LGBTQ+ population. Additionally, during the discussion, we will discuss the changes to standards of care proposed by different professional groups (USPSTF, ACOG/ACOOG, ACS, etc.) for these patients. While the suggestions will be specific for the proposed patient, it will not be an exhaustive list of guidelines, recommendations, or standards of care for that patient. During that presentation, we discussed 1) a 58 year old gay man on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, anal cancer screenings, and immunization changes; 2) a 41 year old transgender male and their testosterone maintenance as well as breast and cervical cancer screenings; 3) a 21 year old bisexual female wanting to initiate birth control with substance use disorder; and 4) an 11 year old genderfluid, assigned male at birth wanting to initiate puberty blocking therapy as well as expand on gender affirming hormone care. Lastly, we will discuss how LGBTQ+, gender care and osteopathic principles and practice intertwine to achieve the best outcome for our patients
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to use POCUS to guide vascular access procedures and evaluate for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the family medicine office or hospital setting. This includes practicing procedures (i.e., peripheral/central venous catheters) on task trainers under ultrasound guidance. Also includes performing a serial compression exam to evaluate for lower extremity DVT. All levels of POCUS experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced user.
Precision medicine is a broad field which is now being requested by patients in primary care. Selecting the right medication for the right patient (i.e. pharmacogenomics), selecting which patients are at higher risk of cancers (hereditary cancer screening), which patients care inheritable conditions (pre-conception carrier status, hereditary obesity screening, etc ), and utilizing an individualized approach are all hallmarks of precision primary care. Utilizing the techniques taught in this lecture will aid in decreasing cost for the patient, decreasing adverse outcomes, and improving patient outcomes.
Designed for practicing physicians with basic OMT skills or those MDs and DOs who have graduated from residency programs with Osteopathic Recognition, ACOFP’s Next Level OMT is intended to help attendees further refine their OMM diagnoses and treatment and bring those skills to the “next level.” This lower extremities section will consist of case-based presentations that focus on a brief review of diagnostic procedures for specific conditions where OMT is indicated (such as ankle sprain and fractures, ankle pain, and foot pain), with most of the time devoted to hands-on instruction of specific OMT techniques. This module is approved by AOBFP to count towards the recertification requirements from AOBFP for OMT.
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The session addresses the pressing need to equip physicians with resilience-building strategies amidst rising burnout rates, ensuring they can sustain effective patient care while maintaining their own well-being. This aligns with the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare workforce sustainability and quality of care delivery. LOs: Understand current trends and research on physician burnout.
Learn practical strategies to enhance resilience and well-being.
Identify actionable take-home messages and tools for personal and professional improvement.
Are you feeling like you are on the path to burnout? This session is designed to help you see the light in the tunnel. Many physicians are stuck in miserable jobs, but in the day-to-day chaos of life, they cannot seem to dig out and find their passion. It takes a lot of energy to challenge ourselves to re-think our path. This session will emphasize how as family physicians, we are in a unique position to make change because of our wide knowledge base and skill set. We will discuss the implications of staying in a job you are dissatisfied with and open the door to a new way of thinking. We will look at how to take an inventory of what you enjoy to point you in a better direction for happiness and joy. Gain tools to help with a career pivot, whether it be a clinical or non-clinical pivot. Hear from 2 family physicians who have transitioned careers to design jobs they love, leaving burnout behind.
Participants will sharpen their dermatological diagnostic skills through dermoscopy practice and elevate your proficiency in subsequent skills such as excision and cryotherapy. Billing and coding associated with these procedures will also be reviewed.
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Explores the benefits and risks of using humor in patient communication and relationships. It also looks at the effect on self resilience and professionalism, including the topic of dark humor. It ends presenting Medical Improv as a novel learning tool for students and clinicians.
Give an introduction to Ayurveda in the form of slides, audience participate in form of filling out a DOSHA quiz to learn their specific make-up; also Q&A. Goal: learn about Ayurveda and what it has to offer in terms of healthy lifestyle, nutrition and daily practices attendees can incorporate into their daily routine. By practicing the daily routines and diet the attendees will have a lived experience of how these practices feel in their own body enhancing their understanding and ability to communicate the benefits with their patients.
Many physicians and C suite health care professionals are expected to perform at 'peak' performance, however, often face burn out and exhaustion, fighting an uphill battle with too few tools to acheve and sustain what we define as peak performance. Additionally, there is an evidenced based science to excellence that will be explored in tis interactive and informative session. Covered: a) Biological underpinnings of mind-body medicine: such as functional views of stress, the HPA axis, and the central and autonomic nervous system, immune and endocrine systems for example
b) Organizing your day with SAVERS
c) Understanding excellence as it relates to peak performance
d)Participants will experience interactive experiments in breath, meditation, and movement
Delve into a dynamic demonstration and hands-on practice covering essential aspects of wound care such as wound debridement, biopsies, and mastery of dressing and compression techniques. Billing and coding associated with these procedures will also be reviewed.
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