PSPA Luncheon for PSPA Board of Directors Meeting Attendees

Committee Meeting - Conference Committee

• Know the indications for ordering stress tests and which test is appropriate.
• Review the latest data regarding the types of stents available and indications for use.
• Learn when a patient should have cardiac stents placed versus CABG.
• Know the medications needed and length of use based on type of stent placed.

• Discuss the factors underlying the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Review the clinical features that distinguish inflammatory from non-inflammatory joint disease.
• Define the functional consequences of chronic polyarticular joint disease.
• Review the extra-articular features of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Discuss the course and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Review the treatment approaches to rheumatoid arthritis.

• Discuss the more common etiological findings with (CAP) pneumonia.
• Review the pathophysiology of CAP.
• Review the diagnostic evaluation of the patient with CAP.
• Describe the current treatment guidelines for CAP.

• Define Health Care Reform and the impact on the Physician Assistant profession.
• Discuss the current state of Health Care Reform.

• Review the anatomy and physiology of the Eustachian Tube.
• Discuss common pathology associated with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
• Develop a differential diagnosis of ear pain.
• Describe the diagnostic testing to employ in the evaluation of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
• Describe treatment strategies for pathologies associated with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

• Define Celiac Disease and associated epidemiological findings.
• Describe the common clinical manifestations of Celiac Disease.
• Review diagnostics used in the evaluation of Celiac Disease.
• Discuss the available treatment modalities for Celiac Disease

• Recognize the benefits of immunosuppressive drugs
• Recognize immunosuppressive drugs and their potential side effects and interactions.
• Recognize common post transplant complications and illnesses.
• Identify clinical situations that need consultation with the patient’s transplant center

• Learn Mechanisms surrounding cancer genetics, including the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer system syndrome
• Identify steps in screening and prevention of BRCA related malignancies.
• Outline new treatment options for patients diagnosed with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

• Explain the relationship between excess body fat and cardiovascular disease (CVD) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
• Recognize the need for early and individualized management of T2DM, given the progressive loss of beta-cell function that occurs years before diagnosis
• Differentiate among pharmacologic therapies for T2DM that target specific glycemic patterns and/or metabolic defects to achieve and maintain optimal glycemic control.
• Integrate current guidelines into daily clinical practice.
• Implement strategies to achieve postprandial glucose control with a goal to reduce risk for CVD.

• 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.

• Restate the anatomy of joints.
• Practice diagnostic maneuvers.
• Explain synovial fluid analysis results

• Discuss key history questions for patients with neurological symptoms.
• Understand the neuroanatomy that causes common neurologic findings.
• Review the physical exam findings that correlate with neurosurgical emergencies.
• Discuss the diagnostic imaging/testing that correlate with the findings.
• Review the treatment options and outcomes of case studies.

• Define overactive bladder and identify risk factors for this condition.
• Discuss and incorporate screening tools in their practice to identify patients with overactive bladder.
• Describe the proper evaluation of patients suspected of having overactive bladder.
• List the non-pharmacologic treatment interventions for overactive bladder.
• List the pharmacologic interventions available for overactive bladder

• Discuss common fractures of the upper extremities encountered in the emergency room
• Discuss common fractures of the lower extremities encountered in the emergency room
• Review the management of fractures in the ER from stabilization, splinting to pain management .

• Review the “state” of malpractice in the US and Pennsylvania.
• Discuss the need for and appropriate limits of liability for the Physician Assistant.
• Define risk management and how to lower the risk.
• Discuss the process of a lawsuit and what you need to know as a Physician Assistant.

• Discuss the differences between the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VII) and the newly established JNC-VIII Guidelines.
• Define the diagnostic categories of hypertension.
• Review the initial approach and non-pharmacologic management of patients with hypertension.
• Devise evidence-based treatment plans for managing hypertension in the general population.
• Demonstrate knowledge of unique treatment issues and medication choices in specific categories of patients including the elderly, African-Americans, those with a history of stroke, chronic stable angina, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
• Learn how to evaluate and treat resistant hypertension.
• Review the evaluation of suspected secondary hypertension.
• Distinguish hypertensive emergencies from hypertensive urgencies and understand the principles of treatment of both.

• Define the epidemiology of Herpes Zoster.
• Describe the clinical manifestations of Herpes Zoster.
• Review the treatment guidelines for Herpes Zoster.
• Discuss the preventative measures available for this condition.

• Describe prevalence and importance of female sexual disorders (FSD).
• Define FSD and explain their physiological and psychological components.
• Outline communication techniques that identify sexual concerns, overcome barriers, and increase comfort level in discussing sexual health.

• 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.

• Identify and recognize the indications for splint/cast utilization
• Identify and recognize the functions of a splint/cast
• Identify and recognize the indications, advantages and disadvantages of each of the following:
  • aluminum splints
  • plaster splints/casts
  • fiberglass splints/casts
  • pre-fabricated splints
• Identify and recognize proper technique and patient instruction regarding the removal of casts using a cast saw

• 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.

Fun Run, Walk or Bike

• Discuss the etiological processes associated with vertigo.
• Differentiate between peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction.
• Define the diagnostic evaluation of the patient with vertigo.
• Review the treatment measures available for vertigo.

• Define the most common upper extremity disorders.
• Discuss the appropriate examination techniques and diagnostics to employ with upper extremity disorders.
• Discuss the treatment modalities to use in treatment of upper extremity disorders.

• Discuss the impact of technology in health care.
• Review the available products to assist the health care provider in patient care.
• Discuss future technological advances for the health care provider.

• Define Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
• Identify the clinical spectrum of NAFLD.
• Identify the risk factors for and outline the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
• Review the laboratory and imaging studies used to diagnose NAFLD
• Describe the current approaches for the management of NAFLD.

• Define what you need to know about the basics of CDT, CPT and ICD-9-CM coding systems.
• Discuss the basics of medical records documentation and EM guidelines.
• Review clinical case studies to elicit the importance of coding and documentation.

• Define the heterogeneous group of respiratory disorders known as interstitial lung disease.
• List several common types of ILD.
• Describe the epidemiology and underlying pathobiology of ILD.
• Recognize the common history and phyical examination findings in patients with ILD.
• Discuss the diagnostic work-up for ILD.
• Discuss the treatment options and prognosis for ILD.
• List support resources for patients and families with ILD.

• Explain coverage policies that regulate and affect PA’s ability to deliver medical services
• Recognize how to avoid allegations of Fraud and Abuse
• Describe some of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act and how they may affect PA practice

• Identify symptoms of Anxiety/Depression
• Outline treatment options
• Recognize when to refer for Psychiatric evaluation

• Discuss the impact of clinical rotations on the students learning process and life.
• Review tips for success to get the most out of rotations.

• Describe common dermatological findings in primary care.
• Discuss the appropriate approach to evaluating rashes in the pediatric and adult patient.
• Review the appropriate treatment(s) as appropriate per condition as presented.

• Identify possible explanations for patient noncompliance.
• Develop methods for communicating effectively with the difficult patient.
• Describe ways around potential "roadblocks" in patient communication.
• Present the importance of documenting noncompliance in all patient encounters.
• Define ways to professionally discuss difficult patient issues.
• Examine how to deal with difficult communications with family members.
• Examine ways to communicate difficult and awkward news to patients, including geriatric patients, the hard of hearing, and the health illiterate.

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

• Understand the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus Type I and
  Type II
• Review the current clinical guidelines regarding evaluation for
  suspected diabetes mellitus and the recommended evaluations once the
  diagnosis is made
• Apply gained knowledge regarding risk stratification, patient
  screening, and therapeutic options to clinical practice
• Describe common complications of diabetes mellitus and
  interventions that may help decrease complications
• Understand the various therapeutic options for diabetes mellitus
  by mechanism of action and current recommendations regarding use

• Explain the importance of conclusively identifying and then avoiding triggers to best control singular and multiple allergens in the adult and pediatric populations.
• Identify the methodolody and utility of IgE specific antibody testing in diagnosing allergic related disorders.
• Distinquish the relative merits of allergy skin prick testing as compared to in vivo blood testing.
• Evaluate examples of when and how to integrate IgE specific allergy testing into common patient presentations.

• Improve accuracy of headache diagnosis in clinical practice.
• Describe the pathophysiology of migraine and the mechanism of drug treatment.
• Increase familiarity with standard and new treatments for headache.

• Describe the features of innocent versus pathologic heart murmurs.
• Identify common causes of both innocent and pathologic heart murmurs.
• Review the developmental abnormalities associated with congenital heart
• defects (both cyanotic and non-cyanotic).
• Review the gross anatomic pathology of congenital heart defects and
• understand the correlation between cardiac imaging studies and gross pathology.
• Review the latest advances in surgical management of congenital heart disease.
• Determine urgent need for referral to pediatric cardiology.

• Review all birth control methods available to your patients.
• Discuss special circumstances for choosing a birth control method.
• List precautions and side effects for patient counseling.

• Define concussion and identify the signs and symptoms associated with it.
• Review the appropriate care, referral, and work-up for a patient with a head injury/concussion.
• Discuss the complications of Second –Impact Syndrome, multiple concussions, and Post-Concussive Syndrome.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the guidelines regarding “return to play” following a concussion.