42nd Annual Conference on Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatal Medicine, Neonatology, and the Law

42nd Annual Conference on Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatal Medicine, Neonatology, and the Law is organized by Center for Human Genetics, INC. and will be held from Jan 03 - 08, 2027 at The Royal Sonesta San Juan, Carolina, Puerto Rico, United States of America.

Conference Overview:
The dawn of precision medicine was ushered in 2000 with the mapping of the human genome. Advances in medicine during the ensuing 25 years have been remarkable. Genetic causation of scores of neurodevelopmental disorders of previously unknown cause are now precisely defined, as are many other disorders. Parents-to-be can be tested to determine their carrier status for up to 500 genetic disorders, thereby enabling avoidance of a serious to fatal genetic disorder in their offspring. Routine screening in pregnancy using cell-free fetal DNA can detect multiple important fetal chromosomal defects and an increasing number of single gene disorders. For critically ill newborns, whole genome sequencing now enables rapid precise diagnosis. Liquid biopsy (DNA from blood) is increasingly useful in the detection and monitoring of cancer. Routine DNA assays now accurately determine healthy individuals destined to develop potentially fatal cancers and other genetic disorders for which outcomes can be avoided. Harnessing of the immune system to fight cancer has now also become a reality, as has the cure thus far of a few genetic disorders.

Many of the advances in molecular genetics have been incorporated into obstetrical practice, admittedly incomplete and not without difficulty (and sometimes catalyzed by legal action!). Things are about to change and technology is again at the forefront.

Primary among the major advances in the coming years is the application of AI in obstetrics. Algorithms to predict, anticipate, and prevent complications and even provide best considered options, can be expected. From time in memorial, good obstetrical practice has depended upon the true characteristics and virtues of a physician – knowledge, wisdom, experience, patience, judgement, empathy, sensitivity, interpersonal skill, dependability, competence and common sense in ministering to their patients’ needs.

The ability to predict or anticipate complications remain woefully lacking. Simply consider maternal deaths, still births, strokes with preeclamptic toxemia, fatal post-partum hemorrhage, uterine rupture, fetal death and/or injury in labor, shoulder dystocia, thromboembolism, neonatal death, and on and on. Will well prepared algorithms remedy risky care takers, poor communicators, incompetence, poor decision-makers, carelessness, inattention, fatigue, physical absence, ignorance of guidelines, and failures to diagnose, refer or document, and much more? Will there ever be a time when mothers facing potential risks in pregnancy can feel assured that additional risk is not their physician?

The specific goals of these conferences are to

1. Teach healthcare professionals to better comprehend the machinations of negligence law, and to develop a more complete awareness of the need for anticipatory and safety practice
2. Teach legal professionals about the complex issues encountered in the practice of medicine, including the intricacies of decision-making, aiming to sharpen their understanding on behalf of their clients, both plaintiff and defense.

Once again, an extraordinary experienced and superb faculty will be assembled for the 41st anniversary conference that will be important to all the specialties mentioned, including nurse practitioners, trial attorneys, in-house counsel, pediatricians, primary care physicians, insurers and claims personnel, risk managers and all providers of health care.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this conference, healthcare professionals will be able to articulate the role of law and lawyers in medical malpractice lawsuits and discuss the complexities of the legal process.
• At the conclusion of this conference, legal professionals will be able to describe the best-evidence in medical malpractice as it pertains to standards of expected care in obstetrics, gynecology, midwifery, neonatology, medicine, surgery, family medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology, radiology, and human genetics.