Essentials of Primary Care: A Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Practice

Changing patterns of medical practice are placing greater responsibility on primary care clinicians. Increasingly difficult management decisions must now be made in the ambulatory setting. Primary care clinicians must be increasingly competent in office skills and procedures more commonly associated with specialist practice. At the same time, many specialty-trained physicians, particularly obstetrician/gynecologists, traditionally trained internists and medical subspecialists are being asked to play an expanding their role in primary care practice. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are also playing an ever-increasing role. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive core curriculum in adult primary care. The course will serve as an excellent update and review for current primary care physicians and other primary care professionals and as an opportunity for specialists to expand their primary care knowledge and skills.

Particular emphasis will be placed on principles of primary care, office-based preventive medicine, practical management of the most common problems seen in primary care practice, and expanded skills in clinical examination and common office procedures. Special emphasis will be placed on examination, procedural skills and clinical problem solving in dermatology, gynecology and women’s health, orthopaedics and sports medicine, substance abuse, clinical nutrition, and health communication skills. The course will utilize formal lectures, hands-on workshops, case discussions, an audience response system, and questions and answers. A detailed syllabus will be provided for all participants.