Internal Medicine Update for Primary Care

 Topics and Objectives
Diagnosis of Primary Headache Syndromes
Objectives: 1) Learn the principal historical features of migraine, tension-type, and cluster headache 2) Understand the features that differentiate migraine from tension-type headache 3) Known when to obtain neuroimaging for patients with suspected primary headache disorders

Treatment of Migraine and Primary Headache Syndromes
Objectives: 1) Learn indications for preventive therapy for migraine and which medications are most effective 2) Understand complementary and alternative treatment strategies for migraine 3) Develop a rational approach to abortive therapy of migraine

Hypertension Update
Objectives: 1)Learn to apply JNC-7 guidelines in the treatment of patients with hypertension 2) Be aware of recent data challenging the role of beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension 3) Develop a rational approach to pharmacologic treatment of hypertension based on recent trial data

Depression in Primary Care Practice
Objectives: 1) Understand the proper role of second generation antidepressants 2) Learn the value of augmentation and switching strategies 3) Know the most common side effects of commonly used antidepressants

Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation
Objectives: 1) Identify patient- and procedure-related risk factors for postoperative cardiac complications 2) Demonstrate knowledge of the revised cardiac risk index 3) Learn the optimal role of beta-blockers and statins for the prevention of postoperative cardiac complications

New Drugs for Primary Care
Objectives: 1) Learn which recently approved drugs and drugs in the pipeline will have the largest impact on primary care practice 2) Understand the efficacy, side effects, and cost of the important novel drugs in primary care practice 3) Learn the role of recently approved medications and their place among existing therapies

What You Need to Know About Thyroid Disease
Objectives:1) Understand the approach to evaluating a rising TSH in a patient who is on thyroid hormone 2) Develop an approach to the management of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism 3) Develop an approach to the management of patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism

Drug Interactions and Side Effects
Objectives: 1) Identify possible drug interactions in the use of common drugs 2) Recognize the common and serious drug interactions with warfarin 3) Identify the common side effects seen with SSRI’s