Help us plan your experience for the 2017 Scientific Meeting

Planning is underway for the 2017 Scientific Meeting and - new this year - the Post Conference Session on Practice Management. The Planning Committee wants to ensure that this conference meets your needs.  Please help us by providing feedback on the topics below. Thank you!

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1. Understanding and implementing POLST for end-of-life planning

POLST - Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment - is an important end-of-life planning tool designed to ensure that seriously ill patients can choose the treatments they want or do not want and that their wishes are documented and honored. Participants will learn about the end-of-life planning, the POLST form, and process for implementation. (Required.)

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2. Talking with patients about appropriate and necessary treatment

Overuse of medical tests and procedures are fueling the rising cost of healthcare, and are becoming key indicators for shared savings contracts. This session will focus on the conversation with patients about medical tests that are appropriate and those that provide little benefit and in some cases harm. (Required.)

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3. Update in the management irritable bowel disease/syndrome


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal syndrome characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. It is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition. The prevalence of IBS in North America estimated from population-based studies is approximately 10 to 15 percent. (Required.)

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4. Obesity in Adults

Along with diet, exercise, and behavior modification, drug therapy may be helpful for select overweight/obese adults. This session will provide an update on the medical treatment for obesity. (Required.)

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5. The physician's role in fighting heroin addiction

Between 2004 and 2014 there were 5,217 deaths in New Jersey that were attributable to heroin. The death rate as a result of heroin overdose in New Jersey is 3 times the national average and continues to rise.  Nearly all people who used heroin (96%) also used at least 1 other drug. This session will explore the role of the physician in stemming the tide of heroin addiction. (Required.)

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6. Managing direct oral anticoagulants

DOAc are used without routine laboratory monitoring which is considered a major advantage. However, DOACs have short half-lives, and one or two missed doses can be sufficient to eliminate their anticoagulant effect. (Required.)

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7. Updated CDC guidelines on the management of sexually transmitted infections

The CDC updated its guidelines on the management of sexually transmitted infections in June 2015. Major revisions include a lower threshold for the diagnosis of urethritis based on microscopy of a urethral specimen, a new emphasis on the role of Mycoplasma genitalium in persistent urethritis and cervicitis, and other updates. (Required.)

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8. Advancements in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Analyze clinical advances in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, including the role of pharmacological and nonpharmacological options within personalized treatment plans (Required.)

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9. Wound care in diabetes

In recognition of the gap in the literature in the field of wound management, this session would concentrate on the importance of wound assessment, debridement and cleansing, recognition and treatment of infection and appropriate dressing selection to achieve optimal healing for patients. (Required.)

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10. Treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus

Hypertension is a common problem in patients with diabetes, but the time course in relation to the duration of diabetes is different. There is a close relation between the prevalence of hypertension and increasing albuminuria. (Required.)

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11. Sports concussions

The CDC estimates that approximately 300,000 sports concussions occur yearly in the US. Recommendations for practitioners have changed. The diagnostic criteria and expert opinion about treatment and return to physical activity have changed. Several medical organizations now recommend a more individualized approach to evaluation and management of sports concussions. (Required.)

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12. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis typically leads to deformity. If it is untreated or unresponsive to therapy, inflammation and joint destruction lead to loss of physical function, inability to carry out daily tasks of living, and difficulties in maintaining employment.Early recognition and treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is important in achieving control of disease and prevention of joint injury and disability. However, in patients with early disease, the joint manifestations are often difficult to distinguish from other forms of inflammatory polyarthritis. (Required.)

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13. Please add any other topics you would like to see addressed.

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14. Are there speakers you would recommend and on what topic?

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