MER Primary Care Conferences Internal Medicine for Primary Care Endo Gastro Nutrition Obesity May 05-08, 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: Endocrinology/Gastroenterology/Nutrition/Obesity”. It will take place from May 5-8, 2026, at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2. Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

Develop patient-specific treatment plans for the management of type 2 diabetes.

Diagnose and tailor treatment strategies for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Interpret the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia and design individualized treatment.

Identify the risks of abnormal thyroid function.

Explain the underlying mechanisms and physiological processes that contribute to the development and progression of obesity, including the roles of genetics, hormones, metabolism, and environmental factors.

Discuss non-surgical obesity treatment options.

List the advantages and disadvantages of surgical options and the post-surgery care of patients.

Describe the approach to patient management after bariatric surgery.

Discuss how popular diets and nutritional science can lead to healthier lifestyles.

Identify expectations for optimal nutrition across the patient’s expected life span.

List strategies to modify diet and behaviors in patients with a range of health issues.

Describe options for personalizing a patient-specific nutrition plan to each patient.

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

Discuss the guidelines for colonoscopic colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.

Recommend appropriate testing for the workup of celiac disease.

Describe needed testing for elevated liver function tests.

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, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and obesity medicine specialists.

4. Topics
Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Endocrinology – Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and treatment; lessons from the DCCT; managing diabetic emergencies; screening; pre-diabetes.

Endocrinology – Insulin Therapy for Diabetes: Treating T2DM with insulin; T1DM.

Endocrinology – Lipid Metabolism and Treatment: Review of the most recent American Heart Association Dietary and Lipid Guidelines; Discussion of the most recent ADA guidelines for lipid management for both primary and secondary CV prevention; Detail of treatments for elevated triglycerides and the lack of cardiovascular benefit from fish oil.

Obesity – Pathophysiology of Obesity: A guide to understanding practice demographics and considerations; The what and why of epigenetics; A practical guide to behavioral and medication management.

Obesity – Medical Management of Obesity: Overview of obesity as a disease state; Costs to the individual of being obese; Use of appetite suppressant medications and lifestyle modifications.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Obesity – Complications and Considerations of Bariatric Surgery: An overview of risks and effectiveness of bariatric surgery; Overview of potential surgical options; Potential complications; The role of support and behavior modification, nutrition, and the stages of patient management post-surgery.

Obesity – Patient Management Post-bariatric Surgery: The role of the clinician for support and behavior modification, nutrition, and the stages of patient management post-surgery.

Endocrinology – Disorders of Thyroid Function: Prevalence, diagnosis and treatment options of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Nutrition – Myths vs. Science in Nutritional Trends: Approach for the Medical Professional: Discussion of how to scientifically navigate the nutritional maze of popular diets and nutritional trends; The potential nutrition benefits and pitfalls of various dietary preferences and related patient concerns; Ways nutrition affects healthy lifestyles.

Nutrition – Nutrition Through the Ages: Prevention and Potential Pitfalls: A working guide for a nutritional and behavioral rubric to understand what is expected (and what may undermine) optimal health from infancy through the elderly; Barriers patients face in implementing and sticking with nutritional strategies.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

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.

Nutrition – Medical Nutrition Therapy: A Practical Approach to Diet and Disease: Science-based Nutrition and Behavioral Guide to Treating “The Big” Medical Problems that are taking over your practice; Essential (and proven) strategies to help guide patients’ diet and behaviors in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and GI health; Travel through the google-mess of what patients hear and why they turn to these as resources; The science-based strategies and resources that can be implemented to help patients take rational control of their health.

Nutrition – Cutting Edge Nutrition Innovation: A Personalized Approach: How to critically evaluate nutrition tools that patients can use to promote optimal health; Review the “latest and greatest” nutrition applications and technologies that can be used to greatly improve patients’ nutrition and health pursuits; Creation of personalized health plans based on unique, patient-specific plans, tests, and analyses.

Friday, May 8, 2026

Gastroenterology – Celiac Disease and Chronic Diarrhea: Millions of Americans are now on a gluten free diet. Only some of them actually have Celiac disease. We will review the workup of diarrhea and malabsorption with a focus on celiac disease; We will discuss how to diagnose celiac disease when a patient is already on a gluten free diet and an appropriate differential diagnosis.

Gastroenterology – Approach to Elevated Liver Function Tests: The elevation of elevated liver function tests can be challenging, how much testing is needed?; Discussion of common sources of elevated liver function tests; Recognition of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Hepatitis B evaluation and treatment; Hemochromatosis evaluation; A primary care perspective on Hepatitis C.