AAPA 2021: A Conference to Watch Out For

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) 2021 annual meeting starts on May 23, 2021. The virtual meeting will offer 150+ continuing education credits to more than 150,000 physician assistants from across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US territories, and the uniformed services. Here are some sessions to watch out for.

Outpatient Diagnosis and Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia¹

Presented by Heather Wetch, DMSc, PA-C, this session aims to help you identify changes in the recommendations for outpatient empiric treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), recognize the role of corticosteroids in CAP treatment in the absence of underlying chronic lung disease, and recall treatment recommendations in influenza-positive CAP.

Heather is a physician assistant working in primary and urgent care at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Addressing Opioid Use Disorders in Diverse Communities²

Presented by a diverse group of women, this session aims to help you describe opioid use disorder (OUD) morbidity and mortality for diverse populations, identify at least 5 barriers to equitable care for diverse patients with opioid use disorders, and recall at least 3 strategies to address OUD in diverse communities and incorporate these strategies in a personalized action plan.

Lisa Tshuma, DBH, MPAS, MPA, PA-C, DipACLM, is the deputy director and an assistant professor at AT Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, in  Mesa, Arizona.

Sheena D. Brown, PhD, MSCR, is an associate professor and the director of curriculum innovation and evaluation at the Morehouse School of Medicine PA Program in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tammy Harris, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Health San Antonio.

Proton Pump Inhibitors in 2021³

Presented by Gerald T. Simons, PA-CS, this session aims to help you list the current indications for short-term proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use; list the current indications for long-term PPI use; discuss the adverse effects of PPI use such as renal disease, heart disease, metabolic abnormalities, and bone demineraliziation; recognize alternatives to PPIs including diet modification, antireflux surgery, and alternative medications; and tell a patient about the pros and cons of PPI use.

Gerald is a surgical physician assistant and educator with a special interest in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease.

Be sure to check back for more coverage of AAPA 2021 at https://www.consultant360.com/specialty/consultant360/aapa-2021.

—Amanda Balbi, Senior Managing Editor, Consultant360

References

1. Wetch H. Outpatient diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia. Talk presented at: AAPA 2021; May 23-26, 2021; Virtual. https://ww3.aievolution.com/aap2101/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEV&ev=1108

2. Tshuma L, Brown SD, Harris T. Addressing opioid use disorders in diverse communities: finding the YOU in OUD solutions! Talk presented at: AAPA 2021; May 23-26, 2021; Virtual. https://ww3.aievolution.com/aap2101/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEV&ev=1106

3. Simons GT. Proton pump inhibitors in 2021. Talk presented at: AAPA 2021; May 23-26, 2021; Virtual. https://ww3.aievolution.com/aap2101/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEV&ev=103