MER Primary Care Conferences Internal Medicine for Primary Care Gastro Pain Psych Vasc Apr 09-12, 2026

1. Overview
This is a primary care medical conference organized by Medical Education Resources (MER), a non-profit organization. The conference is titled “Internal Medicine for Primary Care: Gastroenterology/Pain/Psychiatry/Vascular Medicine”. It will take place from April 9-12, 2026, at the Walt Disney World® Resort, FL – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
2. Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

Compare the benefits and side effect profiles of pharmacologic treatment options for ADHD.

Discuss mood stabilizing psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments of bipolar disorder as well as frequent co-morbid psychiatric disorders.

Recommend appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment for depression.

Describe strategies for identifying and treating substance use disorders.

List current treatment recommendations for the management of lower GI bleeding.

Discuss the guidelines for colonoscopic colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.

Identify patients most at risk for pancreas cancer.

List current treatment recommendations for HBV and HCV.

Design non-opioid pain management strategies.

Design opioid pain management strategies.

Discuss some of the controversies surrounding pain management.

Compare the benefits and side effect profiles of pharmacologic treatment options for fibromyalgia.

Describe the spectrum of maladies included in peripheral vascular disease.

Discuss presentation and interventional treatment of stroke patients.

List current pharmacologic options for the management of aneurysms.

Describe the evaluation and treatment of venous thrombosis.

3. Target Audience

This program is targeted to office-based primary care providers and other health professionals with updates in primary care medicine.
Best for internists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, gastroenterologists, pain management specialists, and vascular medicine specialists.

4. Topics
Thursday, April 9, 2026

Psychiatry – The Complexity of Adult ADHD: ADHD in adults with an emphasis on symptom identification; Co-occurring conditions; Psychiatric and medical differential diagnosis; evidence-based and FDA approved pharmacological treatments.

Psychiatry – Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: Bipolar spectrum disorders in adults as compared to youth; Comprehensive history-taking; Differential diagnosis; Co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions; Phase specific treatment considerations and interventions.

Psychiatry – Depressive Disorders: History taking, diagnosis and treatment of depression across the lifespan; pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options; rational polypharmacy.

Gastroenterology – Management of Lower GI Bleeding- From Occult to Massive: The correct use and interpretation of tests for occult blood in the stool will be discussed in relation to lower GI bleeding; focus on the utility of different diagnostic and management approached to the spectrum of patients presenting with hematochezia.

Gastroenterology – Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance: Reviews the most recent recommendations for CRC screening in the general population at average risk for CRC.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Gastroenterology – Understanding and Treating Chronic Diarrhea: Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute diarrhea as well as the evaluation of persistent and chronic diarrhea.

Gastroenterology – Hepatitis B and C Management: HBV screening: whom to screen, whom to vaccinate; management of patients with decompensated hepatitis B related liver disease; treatment in special populations.

Psychiatry – Substance Use Disorders: Substance abuse history-taking to encourage patient honesty; Accurate diagnosis; Use of screening tools; Brief intervention; Recovery and treatment options; Motivational interviewing; Family symptoms and codependency.

Pain – Non-Opioid Pharmacologic Options in Pain Management: NSAID’s; Acetaminophen; Topicals; Injections; Antidepressants; Anticonvulsants; Medical marijuana.

Pain – Opioid Pharmacologic Options in Pain Management: Overall safety and efficacy; Selecting and monitoring patients; Pain contracts; Regulatory issues; Urine drug testing.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Pain – Controversies in Pain Management: Urine drug testing, cannabinoids.

Pain – Fibromyalgia: Differential diagnosis and treatment of this difficult-to-manage pain syndrome; Treatment options of anti-epileptics and SNRI’s.

Vascular Medicine – Peripheral Vascular Disease and Medical Therapy: Defining the spectrum of maladies under the umbrella of Peripheral Vascular Disease including the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and treatments highlighting lipid lowering agents and antiplatelet therapy.

Vascular Medicine – Stroke: Initial Presentation to Medical and Surgical Treatment: An overview of embolic stroke including diagnosis and medical, surgical, and interventional therapy.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Vascular Medicine – Aortic and Peripheral Aneurysms: A guide for primary care outlining diagnosis, management, and therapeutic options.

Vascular Medicine – Management of Venous Thrombosis: A discussion focusing on the variety of venous thrombotic diagnoses and the multiple available treatment options.