PSPA Luncheon

Committee Meeting - Conference Committee

• Identify the at risk population
  Recognize the common clinical manifestations of MRSA
• Define therapeutic options
• Discuss strategies for prevention of MRSA

General Session: The Many Faces of Depression
Speaker: Susan Swank-Caschera, MMS, PA-C

• Differentiate between the classic symptoms and signs of depression in children, adolescents, adults and the elderly
• Describe the diagnostic criteria for major depression
• Review the theories of depression correlating these to metabolic activity of the brain and neurotransmitter activity
• Review therapeutic treatment options

General Session: Medical Management of the Dying Patient
Speaker: Roberta V. Turner, M.D. and Maria Brouch

• Discuss the importance of communication about the medicolegal and ethical concerns of end of life decisions
• Describe the challenges health care providers have with counseling and providing end of life care
• Discuss the importance of incorporating family members of the patient into the care and decision making process
• Review of current drug selection for palliative care

Lunch Lecture: Fibromyalgia
Speaker: Larry Leventhal, MD, FACP, FACR

• Review the clinical presentations of the fibromyalgia syndrome
• Discuss the potential theories on the causes of fibromyalgia
• Discuss the various treatment options utilized in the management of the patient suffering with fibromyalgia

General Session: Sleep Apnea
Speaker: TBD

• Recognize the common epidemiological factors associated with sleep apnea
• Discuss the diagnostic tools used in diagnosing sleep apnea
• Describe the treatment options for sleep apnea
• Discuss the complications of untreated sleep apnea

General Session: Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis 2008: Options for Therapeutic Intervention
Speaker: B. Scott Urquhart, PA-C

• Identify those patients at increased risk for osteoporosis by age, concomitant disease or use of selected medications
• Discuss assessment of bone strength as it relates to T scores and fracture thresholds for treatment
• Outline the role of calcium and vitamin D in the formation and maintenance of healthy bone
• Delineate options for pharmacologic intervention in osteoporosis
• Employ case studies to illustrate early detection, testing for osteoporosis and interventions designed to restore/maintain bone strength

Break

General Session: “Mommy my tummy hurts” Common Causes of Abdominal Pain in Toddlers and Young Children
Speaker: Nancy Grauso-Eby, M.D.

• Identify common causes of abdominal pain in children ages 2 – 6
• Explain the etiology of these problems and discuss how to evaluate them
• Restate how to treat these problems
• Recognize when to refer the patient

General Session: Alzheimer’s Disease 2008: Early Recognition and Treatment to Attenuate Disease Progression
Speaker: Mary Ettari, PA-C

• Identify those patient populations at risk for development of Alzheimer’s disease
• Differentiate between Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Discuss various pharmacological interventions designed to attenuate disease progression
• State safety monitoring needed for pharmalogical intervention

Evening Reception

Workshop: Heart Sounds
Cathy Gillespie, PA-C and Kim Cavanagh PA-C

• Describe how to perform a cardiovascular exam
• Identify basic cardiac physiology leading to common murmurs
• Identify and differentiate between common cardiac murmurs
• Identify common extra heart sounds

Workshop: Basic EKG
Rebecca LoVerso, MPAS, PA-C

• Identify and recognize proper lead placement for a 12 lead electrocardiogram
• Identify and recognize dysrhythmias in static and dynamic tracings
• Determine abnormalities that require emergency intervention

General Session: Autism Spectrum Disorders
Speaker: Mark Freeman, MBA, MEd, PA-C

• Define autism and related disorders based upon DSM IV criteria
• Formulate an appropriate diagnostic workup
• Identify current treatment options
• Discuss current research related to autism

General Session: Appropriate Diagnostic Testing and Treatment Selection with Patients with Pneumonia
Speaker: Robert S. Nolte, D.O.

• Review common pneumonia presentations
• Order appropriate diagnostic testing
• Review decision guidelines for inpatient vs. outpatient treatment
• Describe appropriate antibiotic selection

General Session: Contraceptive Update
Speaker: Brian Wilcox, M.D

• Outline available contraceptive methods
• Describe the risks, benefits, side effects and non-contraceptive benefits of various methods
• Discuss the effectiveness of contraceptive counselling
• Review contraceptive choices for patients with medical conditions

Lunch Lecture: Misses and Near Misses in the Emergency Room
Speaker: Joseph Lex, M.D., F.A.A.E.M., F.A.C.E.P.

• Identify commonly overlooked history and physical findings of potential life threatening conditions
• Describe appropriate use of diagnostic studies to rule out potentially life- threatening illnesses
• Develop an attitude of “rule out worst first” to avoid missing serious illnesses

General Session: Common Drug to Drug Interactions
Speaker: Lawrence Carey, PharmD

• List frequently occuring drug-drug interactions, and delineate strategies for prevention
• Identify potentially harmful side effects as a result of prescribed pharmcotherapeutic combinations
• List significant over-the-counter drug interactions that can occur, with an emphasis on consumer protection

Exhibit Break

General Session: HIV: New Testing Guidelines and Implications for the Primary Care Clinician
Speaker: Bridget Calhoun, MPH, PA-C

• Identify the major revisions to guidelines for HIV testing and diagnosis
• Formulate an appropriate diagnostic workup for HIV in the primary care setting
• Define the role of the primary care clinician concerning HIV counseling, testing and referral for persons at high risk for HIV

• Discuss the basic physiology of acid-base and electrolytic regulation
• Discuss the significance of measuring the anion gap and general chemistry tests
• Differentiate between metabolic/respiratory acidosis and alkalosis by interpreting an arterial blood gas (ABG)

Workshop: Spanish for Healthcare Professionals
Speaker: Roxanne Evans

• Demonstrate cultural awareness
• Obtain conversational exposure to common signs, symptoms and treatments
• Review vocabulary dealing with organ systems of the body

Workshop: Advanced EKGs
Rebecca LoVerso, MPAS, PA-C

• Identify axis deviation and lead reversal
• Identify ischemic changes in a static tracing
• Determine drug effects on an electrocardiography tracing

Workshop Suturing Techniques
Speaker: Lane Bower, PA-C

• Discuss the history/development of suture materials/needles
• Illustrate the proper use of surgical instruments relating to suturing
• Demonstrate the performance of a basic interrupted closure and a basic continuous closure on a simple incision
• Perform an interrupted/continuous subcutaneous closure with buried knots
• Perform a simple closure using a mattress stitch
• Perform a compound closure on a jagged incision wound under tension using both interrupted and continuous closure.

• Explain the negative/positive feedback control of hormone secretion
• Demonstrate the relationship between the secreted hormone and its target cells/organs
• Describe the laboratory evaluation and clinical consequences of deficiency states as well as states of excessive production of endocrine hormones

Fun Run

General Session: Preventing Cancer by Vaccination: An In-Depth Discussion of HPV Speaker: TBD

• Identify risk factors in acquiring HPV infection
• Identify HPV types and their association with cervical cancer and genital warts
• Define how the new HPV vaccines work and the difference between products

Professional Session: Transition to Practice
Speaker: Matt Baker, DHSc, PA-C

• Review the licensure application process
• Review the State Regulations for Pennsylvania
• Compare and contrast Allopathic vs. Osteopathic regulations
• Introduce the basics of reimbursement
• Discuss salary and benefits
• Review ways to reduce malpractice risk

General Session: Cardiac Arrhythmias: Lethal and Nonlethal
Speaker: Kim Cavanaugh, PA-C

• Discuss the mechanisms behind arrhythmias
• Identify the history, physical findings, and basic management of arrhythmias
• Recognize the etiology, classic EKG pattern, and the recommended treatment for cardiac arrhythmias including blocks, bradycardia, tachycardia and fibrillation

General Session: Care of the Burn Patient
Speaker: TBD

• Recognize the importance of a proper physical examination
• Administer the proper medical and surgical care of the burn patient
• Discuss the need for consultations for care to include diet, physical and occupational therapy
• Discuss potential complications and prognosis with rehabilitative care

Professional Session: Obtaining and Maintaining NCCPA and PA Certification
Speaker: William Kohlhepp, DHSc, PA-C

• Identify steps for initial certification
• Explain recertification process
• Provide updates on changes with PANCE and PANRE

Professional Session: Nuts and Bolts of the Job Search
Speaker: Matt Baker, DHSc, PA-C

• Identify steps to writing a curriculum vitae
• Identify appropriate demeanor and dress for an interview
• Discuss what common questions are asked and also what questions should be asked of the employers during an interview
• Review steps of contract negotiations
• Review contract components

Professional Session: Governmental Affairs Update
Speakers: Mark DeSantis, PA-C
Karen Sweeney, PA-C
Greg Jaques, PA-C
Kitty Martin, PA-C

• Discuss osteopathic prescriptive privileges
• Explain legislative initiatives for 2008-2009
• Describe the medical board scope of practice update

General Session: Oral Lesions
Speaker: Joseph L. Smith II, M.D.

• Review the basic oral exam
• Learn to identify common lesions
• Identify lesions that need ENT referral

Professional Session: Billing and Coding 101
Speaker: Ed Schuurman, MS, PA-C

• Describe how to educate PAs to understand proper billing and coding needed for your practice
• Explain the mechanism to properly bill
• Review common billing and coding applications for different practice settings

General Session: The ABC’s of Hepatitis
Speaker: Erin R. Dettrey, PA-C, MHS

• Describe the diagnosis, workup and treatment of common liver diseases
• Discuss the diagnosis, workup and treatment of NASH
• Explain the diagnosis, workup and treatment of Hepatitis C

Workshop: “Back” to Basics: Utilizing Postural Assessment and Orthopedic Special Tests to Identify Common Spinal Pathologies
Speaker: Paula Sammarone Turocy, Ed.D, ATC

• Review common postural abnormalities and common causes of back pain
• Demonstrate proper technique for postural assessment to identify common spinal pathologies
• Identify and employ various common special tests of the spine to differentiate spinal pathologies

Workshop 10 Minute Neurology Exam
Speaker: Karen Tillotson, MS, PA-C

• Explain how to conduct a rapid, easy neurologic exam
• Recognize normal and abnormal neurologic exam findings
• Order appropriate diagnostic imaging based on abnormal exam findings

Breakfast Lecture: Achieving Glycemic Targets with Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes

• Examine the role of dual therapy – mimicking physiologic insulin response
• Tell the rationale for achieving glycemic control
• Recognize patient resistance to insulin therapy

General Session: Prostate Disease
Speaker: Joseph Harryhill, M.D.

• Describe the more common prostate disorders
• Explain the diagnostic and treatment options for these disorders
• Discuss the need for prostate screening

General Session: Breastfeeding Basics: What PAs Really Need to Know
Speaker: Allison Morgan, MPA, PA-C

• Review the physiology of lactation
• Identify common breastfeeding problems and recognize when to refer
• Demonstrate knowledge of breastfeeding benefits used in educating patients to facilitate Healthy People 2010 Goals

General Session: Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain
Speaker: Barbara Haskell, PA-C

• Establish a differential diagnosis of chest pain
• Differentiate between emergent vs. non-emergent causes of chest pain
• Describe the roles of various diagnostic studies in the work-up of chest pain

General Session: Dermatology for the Non-Dermatology PA: Know When to Refer
Speaker: Janet DeSipio, MSPAS, PA-C

• Recognize signs and symptoms of dangerous and potentially dangerous skin lesions
• Identify cutaneous manifestations of potentially dangerous systemic disease
• Recognize general guidelines for healthy skin

A raffle ticket will be given to each attendee on Saturday morning. The winning ticket holder will receive free tuition to the 2009 PSPA Conference. The winner must be present at the time of the drawing