Educational Needs & Objectives

Educational Needs

Obesity is a prevalent condition in need of medical attention. It is important for primary care providers to understand the biological basis of weight gain and difficulty with weight loss. It is also important to know how to counsel patients on dietary strategies for weight loss.

Osteoporosis is a common and undertreated condition. Primary care providers play an important role as the front-line providers who screen and treat osteoporosis. While identifying and initiating treatment of osteoporosis is often straightforward, the decision of how long to treat, when to take a drug holiday, and how long to maintain a holiday is often less clear.

As CGMs are increasingly more wide spread, primary care providers need to understand how to best utilize this technology. This includes understanding which patient may benefit from the CGM, how to get patients started, and how to make the most of data found on a CGM report.

Due to the large number of patients with thyroid nodules, often thyroid nodules can be evaluated and managed by primary care physicians.

An estimated 30 million Americans are living with diabetes. It is well-documented that achieving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes reduces the risk of microvascular complications, including renal failure, blindness, and amputation. Maintaining glycemic control also shows benefits of long-term risk reduction of macrovascular complications.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the 2023 CACE PCP December Meeting, attendees will be able to:

1. Discuss how to approach obesity management through lifestyle.
2. Review how to manage obesity with medications.
3. Identify optimal treatment duration and when to implement a medication holiday for osteoporosis patients on bisphosphonate therapy.
4. Define optimal strategies for transitioning off denosumab to implement a medication holiday.
5. Optimize monitoring of skeletal health during medication holiday and determine when to resume therapy.
6. Identify patients who may benefit from CGM.
7. Discuss strategies to make the most of CGM information.
8. Determine appropriate imaging for a patient with a thyroid nodule.
9. Compare and contrast Ti-Rads and ATA criteria for FNA biopsy.
10. Evaluate results of FNA biopsy cytology.
11. Explain when to refer to endocrinology and when thyroid nodules should be evaluated urgently.
12. Discuss how maintenance of glycemic control shows benefits of long-term risk reduction of macrovascular complications.
13. Review treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus.