Family Practice Continuing Medical Education

Gastrointestinal Dilemmas Marvin Derezin and Marcelo F. Vela Distinguish IBS the from organic disease based on signs and symptoms; Choose effective therapy for specific types of IBS, such as IBS with constipation or IBS with alternating diarrhea and constipation; Prescribe an effective therapeutic regimen for GERD; Review side effects and risks of proton pump inhibitors; and Identify candidates for surgery for the treatment of GERD.

 

Assault on the Airway William H. Hueston and William M. Simpson Evaluate the efficacy of various agents that have been proposed for treating and preventing the common cold; Immunize patients against influenza, and prescribe antiviral drugs for treating it; Care for patients with sinusitis, and recognize the limitations of antibiotics for treating this condition; Consider the use of bronchodilators (rather than antibiotics) for patients with acute bronchitis; and Diagnose and treat patients with sleep apnea.

 

Hazards and Emergencies Paul D. Blanc and Michelle Lin Identify signs of exposure to inhalational irritants; Predict toxic effects of certain irritants, such as carbon monoxide; Identify effective therapy in medical emergencies, such as cocaine-induced chest pain and digoxin toxicity; Select appropriate therapy for thyroid storm; and Distinguish diabetic ketoacidosis from hyperosmolar nonketotic coma.

 

Infectious Disease David A. Pegues and Dean C. Norman Apply the latest recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for vaccine preventable illnesses; Recommend measures for prevention of transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the household; Prescribe appropriate drugs for multidrug-resistant organisms; Discuss how infectious differ in presentation in the elderly, compared to young adults; Describe age-related changes that contribute to higher morbidity and morality rates from infections in the elderly.

 

Dermatologic Dilemmas John R. T. Reeves and Julie A. Lestinger Describe and identify common as well as unusual causes of itching; Discuss the appropriate use of topics steroids, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and other agents in the treatment of pruritic skin conditions; Diagnose and treat onycholysis and other disorders of the nails; Manage patients with common skin conditions such as tinea capitis, scabies, impetigo, and psoriasis; and Review appropriate treatment of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and pigmented lesions such as nevi melanoma.

 

OB and STD Update Vanessa A. Diaz and Kelly Ragucci Identify vaccinations and antidepressants that are contraindicated in pregnancy; Identify risk factors for preterm labor; Work up obstetrics patients for future health risks such as diabetes; Choose effective agents for the treatment of Chlamydia and gonorrhea; and Select appropriate therapy to suppress herpes simplex virus.

 

ENT Problems/ Back Pain Paul A. Kedeshian and Jeffrey C. Wang Diagnose and treat patients with eustachian tube dysfunction, middle ear effusions, hemotympanum, tympanosclerosis, and tympanic membrane perforations; Manage patients with otitis externa, exostosis, nasal polyps, nasal septal hematoma, and mucoceles; Recognize the clinical features and provide care for patients with oral leukoplakia, geographic tongue, torus mandibularis, tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, parotitis, neoplasms of the parotid gland, second branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, and Bell’s palsy; Evaluate patients complaining of low back pain and know when to order imaging studies; and Treat patients with back pain by various conservative measures.

 

Wellness/ Problem Patients E. Lee Rice and Margaret E. McCahill Discuss the concept of wellness and the role the health care provider plays in its attainment; Counsel patients about behavioral changes that improve wellness; List causes of demanding and manipulative behavior; Take control when faced with demanding patients who have personality disorders; and Address and prevent aberrant drug-related behavior.

 

Diabetes Mellitus Marc Sandberg and Michael A. Bush Recommend tests to determine presence of complications ans measures for prevention; Utilize the new criteria of the American Diabetes Association for the diagnosis of diabetes; Describe the mechanisms of action of new drugs for diabetes and their relation to the pathophysiology of diabetes; Summarize the results of the major diabetes studies; and Explain the role of hormones involved in diabetes.