OVERVIEW

Primary Care Update: Prevention and Chronic Disease is organized by Circuit CE.

Schedule (Local Time): 7:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Number of Subjects: 16 Workshops

About this Conference:
This one-day conference delivers concise, practical education for clinicians at the intersection of preventive and cardiometabolic care. Across four expert-guided hours, learners will explore the latest evidence in cancer screening, obesity treatment, GLP-1–based therapies, and complex hypertension. Designed for real-world application, the sessions emphasize actionable guidance for today’s primary care and internal medicine practitioners.

Key Objectives:

Apply current best practices in preventive screening, immunization, and counseling to diverse adult populations.
Compare pharmacologic strategies for obesity and type 2 diabetes, with attention to safety, efficacy, and patient-centered selection.
Integrate evidence-based approaches for managing resistant hypertension, including secondary causes and comorbid chronic conditions.

Conference Outline:
Day 1
A focused, high-yield clinical update exploring modern strategies in adult preventive care, obesity pharmacotherapy, diabetes management, and resistant hypertension.

Section 1
Comprehensive Preventive Care for Adults:
This one-hour session presents a structured approach to preventive care in adults, including screening, immunization, behavioral counseling, and special considerations in patients with comorbidities. The curriculum aligns with current USPSTF recommendations and addresses implementation in primary care.

7:00 AM—8:00 AM (60 Minutes)

Summarize the core principles and goals of adult preventive care.
Apply evidence-based screening and immunization guidelines to diverse adult populations.
Integrate behavioral counseling and chronic disease considerations into routine preventive care.

1. Principles and Framework of Preventive Care:
This module introduces the foundational concepts of preventive care in adults, including the goals, levels of prevention, USPSTF grading system, and how to individualize care based on patient factors.

7:00 AM (15 Minutes)

Describe the goals and levels (primary, secondary, tertiary) of preventive care.
Interpret the USPSTF grading system and its impact on clinical decision-making.
Apply shared decision-making to personalize preventive interventions.

2. Cancer and Cardiovascular Screening in Adults:
This session provides an evidence-based review of screening recommendations for common cancers (breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate) and cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and lipid disorders.

7:15 AM (15 Minutes)

List current USPSTF recommendations for major adult cancer screenings.
Identify appropriate intervals and populations for lipid and blood pressure screening.
Recognize when to defer or modify screening based on age or comorbidities.

3. Immunization and Behavioral Counseling in Preventive Care:
This module reviews recommended adult immunizations and behavioral counseling topics including tobacco cessation, alcohol misuse, diet, and physical activity, with attention to risk stratification and timing.

7:30 AM (15 Minutes)

Identify recommended vaccines for adults across age groups and risk categories.
Apply evidence-based counseling strategies for tobacco, alcohol, diet, and physical activity.
Select appropriate counseling intervals and settings based on individual risk.

4. Preventive Care in Adults with Chronic Conditions:
This final module focuses on tailoring preventive strategies for adults with chronic diseases, addressing issues such as life expectancy, polypharmacy, and the diminishing benefit of certain screenings.

7:45 AM (15 Minutes)

Differentiate preventive strategies based on comorbidity and life expectancy.
Recognize when to de-intensify or discontinue preventive services in older adults.
Balance the benefits and harms of screening in patients with multiple chronic conditions.

— Break

8:00 AM (15 minutes)

Section 2
Pharmacologic Management of Obesity in Adults:
This session provides a comprehensive update on the drug treatment of obesity in adults, including selection criteria, medication comparisons, and strategies for ongoing patient management. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based prescribing and personalized treatment planning.

8:15 AM—9:15 AM (60 Minutes)

Identify appropriate candidates for pharmacologic therapy in obesity treatment.
Compare available anti-obesity medications by mechanism, efficacy, and side-effect profiles.
Apply strategies for long-term monitoring, adjustment, and discontinuation of obesity pharmacotherapy.

5. Identifying Candidates for Obesity Pharmacotherapy:
This module covers the clinical indications for initiating drug therapy in adult patients with obesity, including BMI thresholds, comorbid conditions, and the role of lifestyle interventions prior to medication use.

8:15 AM (15 Minutes)

Describe BMI and comorbidity criteria for initiating pharmacologic obesity treatment.
Differentiate between patients who are eligible for pharmacologic therapy versus bariatric referral.
Identify contraindications or limitations that may preclude drug therapy for obesity.

6. Overview of Anti-Obesity Medications:
This session introduces the FDA-approved medications for obesity treatment, organized by mechanism of action. It includes discussion of GLP-1 receptor agonists, combination drugs, and appetite suppressants.

8:30 AM (15 Minutes)

List currently approved medications for obesity and their mechanisms of action.
Identify common side effects and contraindications of each drug class.
Explain the role of newer agents such as semaglutide and tirzepatide in obesity management.

7. Comparative Efficacy and Selection of Obesity Medications:
This module explores the relative efficacy of anti-obesity medications and how to choose the most appropriate agent based on patient profiles, expected weight loss, tolerability, and cost.

8:45 AM (15 Minutes)

Compare the average weight loss and dropout rates for different obesity medications.
Apply patient-specific factors such as diabetes, cardiovascular risk, or budget in selecting pharmacologic agents.
Differentiate between short-term and long-term efficacy data in guiding clinical decisions.

8. Monitoring and Managing Patients on Obesity Drug Therapy:
This final module provides a framework for follow-up, including evaluation of response, duration of therapy, switching strategies, and when to discontinue medications.

9:00 AM (15 Minutes)

Describe monitoring parameters and timing for evaluating pharmacologic treatment success.
Explain when and how to discontinue, continue, or switch medications based on response and side effects.
Identify strategies to enhance adherence and long-term maintenance of weight loss.

— Break

9:15 AM (15 minutes)

Section 3
GLP-1–Based Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes:
This one-hour CME session explores the mechanisms, clinical indications, benefits, and risks of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The program includes pharmacologic comparisons, cardiovascular outcomes, and adverse effect management.

9:30 AM—10:30 AM (60 Minutes)

Explain the mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor agonists and their role in glycemic control.
Compare individual GLP-1 agents based on efficacy, cardiovascular benefits, and dosing characteristics.
Identify strategies for patient selection, adverse effect management, and therapy initiation or transition.

9. Mechanisms and Physiologic Effects of GLP-1 Therapies:
This module introduces the biological functions of endogenous GLP-1 and explains how GLP-1 receptor agonists modulate glucose metabolism, appetite, and insulin secretion.

9:30 AM (15 Minutes)

Describe the physiologic role of endogenous GLP-1 in glucose regulation and satiety.
Explain how GLP-1 receptor agonists enhance insulin secretion and suppress glucagon.
Identify the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and metabolic effects of GLP-1 therapies.

10. Clinical Indications and Cardiometabolic Benefits:
This session reviews the primary and expanded indications for GLP-1 therapy in type 2 diabetes, including weight reduction and cardiovascular protection in high-risk patients.

9:45 AM (15 Minutes)

List approved and off-label indications for GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes.
Summarize evidence for cardiovascular and renal outcome benefits associated with GLP-1 agents.
Identify patient populations most likely to benefit from GLP-1 therapy.

11. Comparing GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Efficacy and Dosing:

This module provides a head-to-head comparison of available GLP-1 receptor agonists, focusing on glycemic efficacy, dosing schedules, injectable versus oral formulations, and combination therapies.

10:00 AM (15 Minutes)

Compare GLP-1 receptor agonists by glycemic efficacy and weight loss outcomes.
Differentiate weekly versus daily formulations and patient adherence considerations.
Evaluate combination therapies involving GLP-1 agents and their clinical implications.

12. Managing Side Effects and Patient Selection:

This final module outlines strategies for managing common adverse effects of GLP-1 therapy, including gastrointestinal intolerance and rare risks, and provides guidance on initiating or switching therapy.

10:15 AM (15 Minutes)

Identify common side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and approaches to mitigate them.
Describe contraindications and precautions for use in specific patient populations.
Formulate a plan for initiating or transitioning patients to GLP-1–based therapy.

— Break

10:30 AM (15 minutes)

Section 4
Resistant Hypertension: A Systems-Based Approach to a Complex Challenge:
This session explores the multifactorial contributors to resistant hypertension and offers a systems-based approach to its evaluation and management. Modules address pharmacologic strategies, secondary causes like primary aldosteronism and sleep apnea, and management considerations in chronic kidney disease.

10:45 AM—11:45 AM (60 Minutes)

Differentiate true resistant hypertension from common mimickers and pseudoresistance.
Apply evidence-based strategies to identify and treat common secondary causes of resistant hypertension.
Incorporate multidisciplinary care models and comorbidity-specific approaches in the management of complex hypertension.

13. Resistant Hypertension: Practical Update for Busy Clinicians:
Evidence-based evaluation and treatment pathway for resistant hypertension, including medication strategies, lifestyle modification, and team-based care.

10:45 AM (15 Minutes)

Define resistant hypertension and distinguish it from pseudoresistance.
Outline an evidence-based pharmacologic treatment algorithm including fourth-line agents.
Describe strategies for team-based care and patient adherence enhancement.

14. Primary Aldosteronism: The Overlooked Driver of Resistant Hypertension:
A focused review of screening, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment pathways for primary aldosteronism as a secondary cause of resistant hypertension.

11:00 AM (15 Minutes)

Identify appropriate screening indications using the aldosterone-renin ratio.
Differentiate unilateral from bilateral disease to guide management decisions.
Select treatment strategies including medical therapy or surgical referral.

15. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension: Unmasking the Nocturnal Link:
Explores the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and resistant hypertension, emphasizing screening tools, diagnostics, and the role of CPAP therapy.

11:15 AM (15 Minutes)

Explain how obstructive sleep apnea contributes to resistant hypertension.
Utilize validated screening tools to assess risk for sleep-disordered breathing.
Describe the role of CPAP therapy in improving blood pressure control.

16. Navigating Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Therapeutic Balancing Act:
Outlines optimal antihypertensive approaches in patients with chronic kidney disease, including agent selection, monitoring, and referral timing.

11:30 AM (15 Minutes)