MER Primary Care Conferences Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine for Primary Care Mar 20-22, 2026

Description

+ Include: videos + file sub vtt, size: GB
+ Target Audience: internists, primary care physicians, and rheumatologists
+ Sample video: contact me for sample video
+ Information:
1. Overview
This is a primary care medical conference organized by Medical Education Resources (MER), a non-profit organization. The conference is titled “Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine for Primary Care”. It will be held from March 20-22, 2026, at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, AZ.
2. Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

Compare and contrast inflammatory & non-inflammatory joint pain and their differential diagnoses.

Review the risks and benefits of the treatment options for arthritis (non-selective NSAIDs, cox-2 inhibitors, DMARDs, narcotics and tramadol).

Discuss physical examination of joints/soft tissue in the diagnosis of regional pain syndromes.

Identify important landmarks and proper techniques for injecting the major joints.

Describe the differential diagnoses of inflammatory arthritis based on clinical presentation and laboratory workup.

Utilize current evidence to design treatment strategies for osteoarthritis.

Diagnose and treat gout and pseudogout.

Perform an examination of joints and soft tissues.

Identify the risks and benefits of utilizing bisphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Describe the technique of joint aspiration, joint injection, and synovial fluid analysis.

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

Discuss available evidence and evaluate when cannabis use is appropriate in medicine.

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, and rheumatologists.

4. Topics
Friday, March 20, 2026

Rheumatology – Evaluating the Patient with Joint Pain: Differentiating between inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint pain; The utility of joint aspiration and lab work-up with interpretation of synovial fluid analysis; Differential diagnosis of joint pain and inflammatory arthritis.

Rheumatology – Update in Pharmacology for Arthritis: Review risks and benefits of traditional NSAIDs and cox-2 inhibitors; Analgesics (narcotics and tramadol), acetaminophen, conventional-synthetic DMARDs, and bDMARDs.

Rheumatology – Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Arthritis: Clinical presentation and laboratory work-up and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthropathies (SPA), infectious arthritis and systemic sclerosis; Treatment of RA with DMARDs; Treatment principles of SLE, Sjogren’s, SPA and PMR.

Rheumatology – Physical Examination of Joints and Soft Tissue & Diagnosis of Regional Pain Syndromes: Includes: carpal tunnel syndrome; De Quervain’s tenosynovitis; epicondylitis; impingement; hip, knee, ankle and foot overuse syndromes.

All Faculty – Joint & Soft Tissue Examination Workshop: Small-group workshops.

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Rheumatology – Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.

Rheumatology – Crystal Disease: Gout & Pseudogout: Properly diagnosing and treating crystal diseases such as gout and pseudogout.

Rheumatology – Osteoporosis: Review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of osteoporosis along with interpretation of DEXA scans and FRAX risk assessment; up-to-date therapeutic options.

All Faculty / Rheumatology – Panel Discussion/Joint Injection Technique: Interactive panel discussion with all faculty covering all aspects of rheumatology; Instruction on proper joint injection technique of major joints including shoulder, elbow, fingers, hip, knee, and ankle.

All Faculty – Joint Aspiration & Injection Technique Workshop: Small-group workshops.

Sunday, March 22, 2026

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

Rheumatology – Update on Cannabis as Medicine for Primary Care: Cannabis mechanism of action; Clinical effects on pain; Addiction, withdrawal and dependency; Adverse effects.