Friday
S1A TYPE 2 DIABETES Mx - where do glitazones fit
Type 2 diabetes is the epidemic on the rise. This seminar will look at the need to treat the disease aggressively, exploring the role of glitazones and
metformin combination therapy and the complementary mechanism these two agents offer to reduce long term complications. WC sessions 2,3,9,10,12&13 complement this seminar. GlaxoSmithKline
S1B BACK PAIN: introducing new paradigms in community care Reductionist models of Mx for back pain focus on either the pursuit of decreased pain via medication/procedural approaches or alternatively the pursuit of acceptance and coping via self-Mx techniques. A discussion of the development of a community based holistic model of care. Can we shift the paradigm from therapist focused to patient focused care? What is the evidence that such a shift may be helpful? WT sessions 3,7 &13 complement this seminar Dr. Chris Hayes. Hunter Intergrated Pain Services, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle. Endorsed by the Australian Pain Societ and supported by Pfizer.
S2A PROSTATE CANCER, PSA interpretation - latest advances including the use of robotic surgery in urology
Prostate Ca is a common problem & GPs are often faced with counselling patients with this comdition & discussing the use of PSA. A comprehensive review of prostate Ca & focus on new technologies that impact on patients, including robotic surgery. Since early 2006 we have been using robotic technology routinely for radical prostatectomies as it uses a minimally invasive approach with equal or superior clinicla outcomes. Patients can typically go home day 2 or 3 with minimal pain & blood losss. A demonstration of robotic surgery & outcomes from our first series will be discussed. Dr Raji Kooner Device Technologies
S2B CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS - primer for GPs
An overview of mixed connective tissue disease highlighting the common clinical presentations of these disorders that are encountered by a GP. Causes, risk factors & prevention will be discussed & understanding the diagnostic tests & how to interpret them. Illustrative clinical cases will be presented. The collaborative Mx of these patients with a specialist centre is vital in their ongoing Mx and follow up. Prof Steven Krilis
S2C COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE - where’s the evidence?
Complementary medicine is becoming an increasingly prevalent aspect of health care with a growing demand for its practices. A leading medical expert Prof Stephen Myers will present an evidence-based update on the use of complementary medicine for use with common medical conditions and will deliver a balanced assessment of clinically relevant research.
Prof Stephen Myers Blackmores
S3A MIGRAINE UPDATE - toward better migraine Mx - why GPs don’t like treating migraine
Primary care physicians & neurologists alike have come to regard the exercise of migraine Mx to be a difficult & thankless chore. The most important reasons are the indefinite nature of the aims of therapy and the unclear measures of success or failure of specific attempts at disease modification. The aims of this lecture are: to clearly define the aims of Rx, to discuss modalities available and the pecking order in Rx, to describe the confounding factors which, if unrecognised, snatch defeat from the jaws of victory & to demonstrate how to apply science to the evaluation of Rx when N=1. Interactive with presentation of illustrative cases.
A/Prof Paul Spira GlaxoSmithKline
S3B THYROID DYSFUNCTION - Mx using resting metabolic rate & brachioradialis reflex
A Mx paradigm based on symptoms and physiological parameters rather than on serum thyroid hormone levels alone. Risks associated with subclinical hypothyroid are discussed as well as factors affecting thyroid function. Data from a clinical outcome trial are discussed as well as correlations of physiological parameters and serum hormone levels. Dosage Mx outcomes of different thyroid preparations & Mx of Hashimoto’s by changing thyroid preparations are discussed.
Dr Konrad Kail Redwood
S3C RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: update & new therapies
The new Rx agents, notably the tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, has revolutionised therapy in those whose disease cannot be controlled with conventional DMARDs. Strong evidence exists that early & aggressive Rx of RA with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) such as methotrexate in higher doses than used previously can slow bone erosions and disease progression. GPs must be familiar with new therapies as the immunosuppression induced increases risks for serious infections/ reactions & ‘shared’ care is optimal for safe, effective outcomes. Prof Ric Day
S4A ANTIHYPERTENSIVE Rx - when, what, co-morbid conditions
This seminar will focus on vascular risk - who should be treated for hypertension, when should Rx be started, does the presence of a co-morbidity influence timing or type of prescription? The new antihypertensive agents recently released will also be discussed.
Dr George Mangos Pfizer
S4B DECLINING FERTILITY - how to manage
Infertility is not a modern issue, however in today’s society time available to conceive is reduced as people start families later. Advice & strategies for infertile couples will be reviewed including information on fertility preservation, lifestyle influences, testing ovarian reserve, male infertility causes and semen analysis, and outcomes of different fertility Rx depending on the age of the couple. Dr Jeffrey Persson IVFAustralia
S4C DIABETIC NEUROPATHY - diagnosis of painless, painful or both
50% of patients with diabetes have some form of neuropathy & is difficult to recognise due to different presentations. How to diagnose small/large fibre neuropathy & the ways it may present (restless legs). Investigations will be outlined with particular emphasis on the neurologist/rehabilitation physician approach to Rx in the seminar; workshops will focus on Mx options. WT Sessions 5,8,12 complement this seminar Dr Arun Aggarwal Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Pain Management Centre, endorsed by the Australian Pain Society, supported by Pfize
S5A HAND & WRIST INJURIES - avoiding the pitfalls in Mx
The optimal Mx of common bone and soft tissue injuries will be discussed with practical advice regarding those injuries that do not require referral.
Particular attention shall be paid to injuries that are often missed and those in which a delay in Rx may markedly affect the outcome. Recent advances in the field shall also be presented. Dr Jennifer Green
S5B ADHD - objective screening for better health outcomes
Understand the key markers of the disorder & how to identify them in your rooms. Discussion will include latest research on the neurobiology and mechanisms underlying ADHD; how the data supports the prediction and evaluation of Rx response. Brain Resource Centre
