Harvard Heat Emergencies Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management 2026

The Heat Emergencies Clinical Education CME Course is a virtual, lecture-based four half-day course to educate clinicians about how to diagnose, treat, and prevent heat-related illness. The course will describe the current evidence around all heat-related emergencies, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat syncope. The course will provide a background on the changing epidemiology of heat-related illness, varying definitions of heat, basics of thermal physiology, and individual and population based approaches to prevention of heat-related illness.
Learning Objectives

Explain the epidemiology of heat related illness and associated disease processes.

Recognize the thermal physiology underlying clinical presentations of heat related illness.

Create a differential diagnosis and develop comprehensive, evidence-based management plans for all forms of heat related illness, including heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke.

Describe groups at increased risk for heat related illness and develop anticipatory guidance and prevention plans.

Discuss the pharmacological interactions with heat-related illness and develop plans for protecting patients.

Identify the resources needed and best steps to take for preparedness, diagnosis and treatment of heat related illness during event medicine and in low-resources settings.

Explain the impacts of heat across organ systems, including impacts on mental health and behavioral health and kidney disease.

Apply preventive solutions for heat related illness including from a community based, public health, and health systems approach.

Target Audience

General Physicians, Specialty Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Pharmacists, Primary Care Physicians, and Others.
Best for Emergency Physicians, Nephrologists, Psychiatrists, Pediatricians, Clinical Pharmacologists, Occupational Medicine Physicians, Public Health Specialists, Internal Medicine Specialists, and Family Medicine Physicians.

Topics
Day 1: Monday, June 15, 2026

Welcome, Overview, and Importance of Heat Clinical Education

Defining Heat

Heat Physiology

Epidemiological Impacts of Heat

Fluids, Electrolytes and Perspiration

Closing Remarks and Q&A

Day 2: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Welcome and Recap

Event Medicine and Heat Related Illness

Current Evidence on Heat Related Illness

Diagnosis of Heat Related Illness

Management of Heat Related Illness

Closing Remarks and Q&A

Day 3: Monday, June 22, 2026

Welcome and Recap

Heat, Kidney Disease, and Outdoor Work

Pharmaceutical Considerations in Hot Weather

Small Group Discussions: What Special Populations Are You Worried About in Your Practice, and What can be Done to Meet Their Needs?

Heat-Related Illness in Special Populations

Heat and Behavioral Health

Closing Remarks and Q&A

Day 4: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Welcome and Recap

Prevention and Management of Heat Related Illness in Low Resource Settings

Practical Resources for the Busy Clinician

Health System Impacts and Preparedness for Extreme Heat

Preventive Solutions Through Public Health and Public Policy

Closing Remarks and Q&A