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General Information

The PSPA will offer eight hands-on workshops to enhance your educational experience and improve your clinical skills. Participants will earn 2 Category I credits for each of four workshop sessions. Workshops will be filled on a first-come/first-serve basis. There will be a 10 participant minimum and a 30 participant maximum unless otherwise indicated. If both workshops you choose are filled or cancelled, your money will be refunded at the time of registration.

Heart Sounds Workshop

This workshop is designed for the novice as well as the advanced practitioner. Participants will be given instruction on how to perform an appropriate cardiovascular physical examination. Additionally, participants will be provided instruction on how to identify and differentiate pathologic (stenosis, regurgitation, atrial gallop) versus physiologic (Still’s, opening snap) heart sounds. Audio as well as visual demonstration will be utilized throughout this workshop.

Basic EKG Workshop

This workshop is designed for the novice EKG reader. Participants will be given instruction on the proper placement of electrodes for a 12-lead EKG as well as instruction on how to identify basic EKG components such as the P wave, QRS complex, T wave. EKG abnormality recognition such as bradycardia, tachycardia, atrial flutter/fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, and AV blocks will also be discussed. If you need an EKG interpretation refresher, this is the workshop for you.

Spanish for Healthcare Professionals Workshop

This workshop is a beneficial aid for many disciplines’ of medical practice. Participants will be taught the composition of basic medical phrases in Spanish to facilitate communication with the Hispanic patient. Participants will learn about the Hispanic culture as it relates to medical care and help to enhance communication and understanding between provider and patient.

Advanced EKG Workshop

This workshop is designed for the more experienced EKG reader. It is also a great complement to the Basic EKG workshop. Through interpretation of the EKG, participants will be given instruction on how to recognize atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, ischemia and infarction, Brugada syndrome, prolonged QT syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pericardial effusion. This workshop is great for the physician assistant practicing in primary care, emergency medicine and/or cardiology.

Suturing Workshop

This workshop is designed for the novice and advanced practitioner. Participants will be provided instruction on the different types of suturing equipment (needles, forceps, needle drivers, etc.) suturing material (silk, nylon, synthetic, etc.) and suturing techniques (simple interrupted instrument tie, basic continuous closure, vertical mattress, etc.). There will be plenty of ‘hands on’ during this workshop as suturing material and pig’s feet will be provided.


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