RVC 2022-2023

Rural Virtual Conference (RVC) Series 2022-2023

September 13th, 2022 - May 16th, 2023

Course Overview

This is a series of weekly ONLINE high quality one-hour continuing professional development sessions, presented by clinical experts. Each presentation focuses on evidence-based information that is directly applicable to rural and remote primary care and hospital environments.

For more information, please contact ruralcme@ucalgary.ca

Series Objectives

Learners will be equipped to:

  • Develop and enhance assessment, investigation, and treatment skills to care for patients presenting to the rural family medicine office or emergency department
  • Determine which patients can be optimally managed in the rural setting, create awareness of local resources for clinical management, and identify indicators for referral to specialists for those who require a referral
  • Build a community of practice through discussion and collective learning in rural and remote settings

Who Should Attend

Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Other Healthcare Professionals, Pharmacists, Paramedics, Residents, and Physician Assistants, in Rural Practice

Registration

Alberta Health Professionals who are interested in the complimentary registration are to email ruralcme@ucalgary.ca; in the inquiry email please include your Alberta practice location and health profession (such as MD, OHP, nurse, resident, PA).

If you provide health care outside of Alberta, please contact ruralcme@ucalgary.ca for registration information.

September

Speakers

Byron Berenger
Lynora Saxinger
Simon Ward (Q&A Facilitator)

Learning Objectives

1. List the different expected viral illness circulating in community in Alberta, with attention to rural LGA’s
2. Apply “ testing to treat” strategies in the ER and in primary care for Influenza, Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses, including lab confirmed and rapid antigen testing.
3.  Describe the outpatient therapeutics for at risk individuals for COVID, influenza and other circulation pathogens
4. Explain the sensitivity and specificity of available Rapid Antigen tests, Molecular tests and PCR tests available in rural sites across Alberta

...Guideline and Integration in Clinical Practice

Speakers

Colleen Kuntze
David Sheps

Learning Objectives

1. Introduce the approach for developing the new shoulder clinical particle guideline
2. Use the patient’s shoulder chief complaint to navigate the new shoulder clinical practice guideline
3. Create a differential diagnosis to determine appropriate initial management based on patient history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging
4. Identify when to refer to a shoulder specialist using the new should clinical practice guideline

Speaker

Eddy Lang

Learning Objectives

1. Describe overdiagnosis and its relationship to the concepts of over-detection, shifting disease definition thresholds, disease mongering, low-value care and diagnostic test accuracy
2. Identify the myriad of complex drivers of overdiagnosis and consider feasible, re-searchable and measurable mitigating strategies

October

Speaker

Stephanie Cooper, Jaclyn Zakresky

Learning Objectives

1. Approach obstetrics emergencies in rural as a team
2. List appropriate items for a Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) cart and alternative substitute items
3. Establish a team procedure in your hospital for managing PPH

Speaker

Scott Kraft

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the type of Movement Disorder that is present
2. Treat Essential Tremor
3. Initiate treatment for Parkinson's Disease

Speaker

Paul Douglas-Jones

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the challenges faced when managing dizzy patients
2. Streamline approach to a dizzy patient
3. Identify which patients need to be referred to ENT specialists
4. Articulate insights on common dizzy diagnoses

November

Speaker

Magali Robert

Learning Objectives 

1. Recognize and manage pelvic girdle pain/low back pain in pregnancy
2. Develop a differential diagnosis for pregnant women presenting with abdominal pain
3. Counsel women regarding changes of common chronic pain conditions during pregnancy (ex: headache)
4. List medication options in pregnancy

Speaker

Sarah Glaze

Learning Objectives

1. Review current cytology guidelines
2. Identify when and how to do cervical and vaginal biopsies

 

Speaker

Josh Foley

Learning Objectives

1.  List all the new treatments and drug classes that are now being used in chemotherapy
2. Identify information to look for in a patient on various new agents

Speakers

Clarence Wong
Kerri Novak
Stephen Ip

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss considerations for primary care management vs. referral of patients with GI and liver conditions
2. Share resources available to support primary care providers
3. Discuss quality referral practices

 

Speaker

Dionne Walsh, Julia Brassolotto

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the 2021 changes to MAID legislation
2.  Anticipate possible changes coming in 2023
3. Increase comfort and confidence in communicating with patients and families about MAID
4. Enhance understanding of the significance of the rural setting for MAID provision

December

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Update on Clinical Management and Care Delivery in Alberta

Speakers

Sachin Pendharkar

Learning Objectives 

1. Describe strategies to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, including selection of diagnostic testing and specialist referral
2. Discuss treatment options for different OSA presentations and how to troubleshoot a poor response to therapy
3. Describe specific considerations for OSA management including driving safety, funding for treatment and a recent device recall

Speakers

Jamie Bhamra
Stephanie Anne Dotchin

Learning Objectives

1. Use an evidence-based approach to eye examination
2. Use latest diagnostic criteria for common ocular presentations
3. Identify patients who require urgent referral
4. Manage common ocular presentations in the rural ED

January

...in Alberta

Speakers

Lea Bill
Patrick McLane

Learning Objectives

1. Comprehend policy and politics that cause First Nations members to rely disproportionately on EDs
2. Identify stereotypes and barriers impacting First Nations members’ emergency care
3. List strategies to provide better care for First Nations members

Speakers

Jonathan Wallace
David Topps (Panelist)
Simon Ward (Panelist)

Learning Objectives

1. Set up and utilize POCUS in one's practice
2. Discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of POCUS in rural primary care setting
3. Maximize benefits and avoid potential pitfalls when using POCUS in one's practice 

Speakers

Jillian Walsh
Mary Wiebe
Shawna Curry

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the patterns and trends in long COVID prevalence in Alberta
2. Ientify the top 5 symptoms of long COVID in Alberta
3. List key resources in Alberta available for patients and providers for long COVID support
4. Identify where to find the pathways for long COVID and how to navigate them

Speaker

Lyle Thomas

Learning Objectives

1. Make the diagnosis of PE clinically and diagnostically
2. Discuss the real use of D-dimer in the ED
3. Articulate routine management of PE in the ED
4. Discuss emergent complications of PE and handle them in the ED

February

Speaker

Stevi Golden-Plotnik

Learning Objectives

1. Review the different forms of child maltreatment: non-accidental injury, neglect, caregiver fabricated illness
2. Identify features of history, physical examination and imaging concerning for child maltreatment
3. Discuss the reporting and referral process for suspected child maltreatment in Alberta
4. Discuss indications for transfer to a pediatric emergency department

Speaker

Lori Walker Krause

Learning Objectives

1.  Manage common pediatric pelvic health challenges such as enuresis, encopresis, chronic constipation, urinary urgency, recurrent UTIs, delayed potty training, and abdominal pains.
2. Identify continuing care needs for kids who had extreme surgeries in infancy or early childhood, such as bladder exstrophy, cloacal malformations, post-bladder cancer.
3.  Provide toileting strategies and resources, in addition to PEG3350, for patients and their families to maximize use of appointment time

Speakers

Jessica Kirkwood
Tina Korownyk

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize high level evidence for a number of clinical questions
2. Incorporate best evidence in the management of a number of clinical questions in primary care
3. Differentiate between interventions with minimal benefit and those with strong evidence for patient oriented outcomes

March

Speaker

John Nesbitt

Learning Objectives

1. Assess and investigate diabetic extremity complications
2. Treat  diabetic ulcers, venous and arterial foot ulcers, charcot feet, ingrown nails, tophous ulcers and neuropathic pain.
3. Identify when referral is needed and how to refer

Speaker

Lawrence Gutman

Learning Objectives

1. Define and describe the major types of pulmonary hypertension
2. Outline the clinical presentation and workup of pulmonary hypertension
3. Identify the pitfalls and management of pulmonary hypertension in an acutely unwell patient

Speaker

Shannon Pennifold

Learning Objectives

1. Compare eyesight vs vision
2. Comprehend post trauma vision syndrome and significance of early treatment
3. Describe the various impacts of visual dysfunction, treatment options, and new technologies
4. Identify how visual processing is impacted, indicators used for vision assessment, and when and how vision therapy can help 

...generalized anxiety disorder within the Patient Medical Home

Speakers

Margie Oakander
Rachel Han Savoie

Learning Objectives

1. Identify suspected Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients 
2. Gain an Approach to generalized anxiety disorder Management with the use of the anxiety pathway
3. Describe some of the non-pharmacological management options for GAD
4. Describe common medication used in GAD management

April

Speaker

Emma Billington

Learning Objectives

1.  Assess fracture risk, both with and without bone mineral density results
2. Determine which patients should be offered pharmacologic treatment
3. Have an understanding of available pharmacologic treatment options and safety considerations

Speakers

Justine Turner
Sander Veldhuyzen van Zanten

Learning Objectives

1.  Recognize the varied and subtle clinical features of celiac disease in children and adults
2. Know when and how to screen their patients for celiac disease
3. List screening laboratory tests for celiac disease in Alberta, including that there is no need to order an IgA level
4. Develop an approach to screening for celiac disease in patients who are following a gluten free diet
5. Know when and how to refer their patients for suspected celiac disease
6. Apply a new diagnostic and referral pathway for celiac disease in Alberta

An approach to disruptive patients in the ED

Speaker

Simon Ward

Learning Objectives

1. Comprehend agitated delirium
2. Take stepwise approach to management of agitation in the ED
3. Keep yourself and your team safe
4. Describe the work up of agitation in the ED

May

Speaker

Fiona Mattatall

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the impact on AUB
2. Establish a differential diagnosis For AUB
3. Formulate a strategy for workup for AUB
4. Provide options for AUB treatment

Speakers

Betsy Thomas
Jessica Kirkwood

Learning Objectives

1.  Describe evidence that highlights a new diagnostic test, therapy tool that should be implemented into current practice
2. Compare articles and evidence that may reaffirm currently utilized diagnostic tests, therapies or tools
3. Identify articles that highlight diagnostic tests, therapies or other tools that should be abandoned

Speakers

Doug Woodhouse
Shelley Howk

Learning Objectives

1. Describe CPSA Physician Practice Improvement Program and requirements for physicians
2. List support available for physicians to start and complete Quality Improvement projects and personal development activities 


Grants

This program has received an educational grant from RhPAP and Alberta Health Services.


You may also be interested in...