The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed primary care practice. Difficult management decisions must now be made in transformed ambulatory environments and with virtual medicine. Despite the change in our practice environments, primary care clinicians must continue to focus on preventive medicine, reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, day-to-day clinical problems, chronic disease management, women's health, geriatrics, behavioral medicine, and optimal use of diagnostic tests and new medications. Health disparities and the care of vulnerable patients are a central part of our daily practice as we try to maximize quality, safety, equity, and value. Close collaboration with other specialists, inpatient colleagues, and diverse teams of health professionals is essential for the care of our complex patients. This course will present a comprehensive review of new developments in outpatient medicine, controversies in primary care practice, specialty problems seen in primary care, and best practices in the care of patients with COVID-19 and other common illnesses. The course will utilize formal lectures, case discussions, an audience response system, questions and answers, a detailed syllabus, and on-demand access to course recordings. Remote learning opportunities will also be available.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course, chaired by Dr. Robert B. Baron and taught by UCSF’s best teachers, is designed for practicing internists, family practitioners, advance practice providers, and all other health professionals interested in providing high quality primary care.

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to increase competence and improve clinician practice in primary care. We specifically anticipate improvements in skills and strategies to:

• Implement new guidelines in office-based preventive medicine, including new strategies for cancer screening, immunizations, prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke, and STIs;
• Manage common office problems including diabetes, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, COPD, stroke, TIAs, osteoporosis, liver disease, obesity, BPH, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eye disease, skin disease, and chronic pain;
• Manage common specialty problems in cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, pulmonary medicine, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, neurology, urology, dermatology, gynecology, sports medicine, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology;
• Diagnose and treat common problems in women's health including cancer prevention, family planning, genitourinary symptoms, and osteoporosis;
• Understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on primary care practice and use best practices to treat patients with COVID-related conditions;
• Understand the impact that changes in health policy have on clinical practice;
• Select the best diagnostic tests and enhance value in medical practice;
• Use best evidence and optimize patient communication and shared-decision making;
• Become a better clinician and advocate with a deeper understanding of health disparities and the central role of primary care clinicians in providing equitable, patient-centered care.

Program : Click here