Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 Pre-Courses

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Michael C. Owen-Michaane, MD, MA, CNSC
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Assistant Director of Medical Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition, Division of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY

David S. Seres, MD, ScM, PNS, FASPEN
Professor of Medicine in the Institute of Human Nutrition, Director of Medical Nutrition; Associate Clinical Ethicist, Division of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY

This Pre-Course will provide physicians with evidence-based practical knowledge and skills to integrate nutrition into their practice. Renowned experts in the field will share updates based on the latest research. A range of topics will be covered, including culinary medicine, nutrition in chronic disease prevention and treatment, and the role of nutrition in hospital settings. Attendees will learn how to translate nutrition science into practical applications, including cooking, dietary counseling, and providing patients with facts on dietary supplements. This Pre-Course will promote interdisciplinary teamwork, including collaborative care with registered dieticians, and will approach nutrition through an inclusive lens that is respectful of diverse cultures and food traditions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Equip physicians with practical skills to integrate nutrition knowledge into their clinical practice.
2. Review and apply research-based nutrition strategies for chronic disease prevention and management.
3. Analyze the role and impact of macronutrients and micronutrients in patient care.
4. Implement effective nutrition counseling techniques in outpatient settings.
5. Evaluate the role and application of nutrition support in the care of acutely and critically ill patients.

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Robert A. Balk, MD, MCCM, MACP, FCCP
Professor of Medicine, Rush Medical College, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Associate CMO for Critical Care, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL

This Pre-Course will provide a focused update on the diagnosis and management of common clinical issues encountered in the management of critically ill patients. Particular attention will be placed on new developments in the recognition of common critical care conditions, acute management of critical illness, and prevention of complications in the critically ill adult patient.

Some of the topics discussed include management of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction, acute stroke, acute respiratory failure (including acute respiratory distress syndrome), circulatory shock, pulmonary embolism, sepsis and septic shock, surgical emergencies (i.e., ischemic bowel and necrotizing fasciitis), and severe pneumonia. Also discussed will be the management of patients with acute encephalopathy and methods for preventing common complications in the critically ill patient.

Learning Objectives:

1. Update the clinician on common disorders and diseases encountered in the intensive care unit.
2. Review the diagnostic techniques used in the management of the critically ill adult.
3. Discuss recommendations for the management of common critical illnesses encountered in the intensive care unit and strategies for the prevention of complications of critical illness.

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Irl B. Hirsch, MD, MACP
Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA

In the United States and around the world, the number of people with diabetes continues to increase, with youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and those with type 1 diabetes living to older ages. With obesity and longer durations of diabetes, more people develop microvascular complications as well as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Fortunately, therapeutic options are advancing rapidly, giving greater opportunities to improve the health of our patients, but the complexity of care is also increasing. This Pre-Course will discuss the diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes, including atypical forms of diabetes in adults. Faculty will review the role of lifestyle interventions as well as appropriate indications and practical use of weight loss medications. The growing role of diabetes technology will be addressed. The risks and benefits of new insulin and noninsulin pharmacologic therapies will also be presented. The role of diabetes medications, cholesterol-lowering agents, and blood pressure control to reduce cardiometabolic risk will be thoroughly discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review current guidelines for the management of patients with diabetes and prediabetes.
2. Provide guidance on the evaluation, classification, and treatment of diabetes, including less common atypical forms of diabetes.
3. Review new insulin products and diabetes technology (including new pens, pumps, and sensors) available for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes.
4. Review the rapidly expanding role of noninsulin therapeutics in the management of type 2 diabetes.
5. Discuss the role of nutrition and medication use for weight management in patients with obesity and diabetes.
6. Discuss the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.
7. Within a panel discussion format, review questions and challenges that arise in your practice.

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Geno J. Merli, MD, FHM, FSVM, MACP
Professor, Medicine and Surgery, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Co-Director, Jefferson Vascular Center, Director, Jefferson Vascular Medicine, Division of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA

Howard Weitz, MD, FRCP (Lond.), FACC, MACP
Bernard L. Segal Professor of Clinical Cardiology, Senior Associate Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

This Pre-Course will review the assessment and management of patients with medical comorbidities undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures. The latest national and international guidelines in perioperative care will be appropriately incorporated into selected topics. The program will be divided into preoperative and postoperative issues. Expert faculty will initially discuss preoperative anesthesia essentials, selection of validated cardiac risk assessment tools, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the most frequently performed surgeries, and antiplatelet agent management in patients with cardiac disease undergoing noncardiac surgery. Interspersed between these presentations will be clinical vignettes that complement the presentations and expand the topics discussed. The second phase of the course will be directed at the postoperative issues that face the medical consultants. These will include postoperative anesthesia issues; delirium and frailty assessment and treatments; postoperative cardiac complications, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation; and the appropriate use of perioperative anticoagulants. Each of these areas will be followed by clinical vignettes related to additional issues facing medical consultants in the postoperative period.

The clinical vignettes will include the following: positioning patients during surgical procedures; functional status scoring index is best to assess patients before surgery; managing the patient with an aortic stenosis murmur; treating preoperative anemia with iron therapy; preoperative dosing of anticoagulants for patients with impaired renal function; the best screening tools for assessing obstructive sleep apnea and implication for anesthesia; approaching the patient with a history of postoperative nausea and vomiting; is prehabilitation helpful for postoperative recovery; should a short period of postoperative atrial fibrillation be treated with anticoagulation; management of SGLT2i, GLP-1, and metformin before surgery; bridging indications for anticoagulants in the perioperative period in patients with cardiovascular or thromboembolic disease; and is there a place for four-factor concentrate and andexanet alfa before emergency surgery. There will be adequate time for faculty questions and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the assessment and management of patients with medical comorbidities undergoing inpatient surgical procedures.
2. Review guidelines and best practices for common anesthesia-related issues, preoperative cardiac risk assessment, and medications.
3. Review preoperative validated risk assessment tools, strategies to mitigate risk, and management of patients with a variety of pre- and post-surgery cardiac problems.
4. Understand management of cardiac-indicated antiplatelet agents and the appropriate use of direct oral anticoagulants in the perioperative period, which will include rescue and reversal agents for emergent surgery.
5. Assess key management strategies for assessing frailty or delirium.
6. Use clinical vignettes as a teaching method to highlight management issues related to perioperative care.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Douglas S. Paauw, MD, MACP
Professor of Medicine, Rathmann Family Foundation Endowed Chair for Patient-Centered Clinical Education, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA

This Pre-Course will focus on pearls to help the practicing internal medicine physician maximize the utility of drug therapies. Newer medications and new uses for older medications will be covered. Current recommendations for “best therapy” for different diseases will also be covered. Common adverse effects of medications will be emphasized. Faculty will provide practical information on medications used for common medical problems, diabetes, infectious diseases, and side effects of medications.

Learning Objectives:

1. Prescribe appropriate drug therapies for diseases commonly seen in the office.
2. Understand the use and appropriate utility of new diabetes therapies.
3. Gain a better understanding of drug reactions and interactions.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Howard Weitz, MD, FRCP (Lond.), FACC, MACP
Bernard L. Segal Professor of Clinical Cardiology, Senior Associate Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

David L. Fischman, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

This Pre-Course will provide a focused update of the diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches to the patient at risk for, or with known, cardiovascular disease. Expert clinician-educators will focus on the cardiovascular disease issues that internal medicine physicians most frequently encounter and will provide “key points” to update the audience and foster patient care. Subjects covered will include identification and management of acute and chronic coronary artery disease, optimal treatment of acute and chronic heart failure, update of the treatment of hypertension, risk assessment and risk reduction for the patient with cardiac disease who undergoes noncardiac surgery, approach to the patient with valvular heart disease, indications for and interpretation of advanced cardiac imaging modalities, atrial fibrillation update, approach to the patient with lower extremity peripheral artery disease, update on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and electrocardiogram case review.

Learning Objectives:

1. Update the internal medicine physician on the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the patient with known cardiovascular disease.
2. Become familiar with the guidelines and recent studies regarding hypertension, valvular heart disease, optimal blood pressure control, and care of the patient with cardiovascular disease who undergoes noncardiac surgery.
3. Understand approaches for decreasing the risk for complications and decreasing hospital readmissions for patients with a variety of cardiovascular issues.
4. Become familiar with optimal surgical/invasive and pharmacologic treatments for the care of patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and atrial fibrillation.
5. Become familiar with the transition of care following hospital discharge for patients with a variety of cardiac issues.
6. Become familiar with the role of technologic advances in cardiac care that the internal medicine specialist may use in patient care: electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac CT imaging, cardiac MRI, cardiac PET scan, wearable cardiac rhythm monitoring devices, and lab testing.
7. Become familiar with the latest guideline-based approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Helen Fernandez, MD, MPH
Professor, Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Sonia Malhotra, MD, MS, FAAP, FAAHPM, Member
Associate Section Chief and Medical Director, Divisions of General Internal Medicine/Geriatrics/Palliative Medicine, Tulane School of Medicine, University Medical Center New Orleans, LCMC Health, New Orleans, LA

With an increasing aging population worldwide and a shortage of specialty geriatrics and palliative care clinicians, there is a pressing need to improve the geriatric and palliative care skills of internal medicine physicians who have a central role in the care of older and seriously ill patients. This Pre-Course will focus on practical, evidence-based strategies that the internal medicine physician can use across care settings to better identify and treat serious and chronic conditions common to older populations, such as cognitive impairment; function assessment, frailty, and falls; depression and anxiety; and hazards of hospitalization. Expert faculty will discuss primary palliative care approaches, including strategies for clinical decision making and deprescribing in the setting of complex medical conditions; providing a systematic approach to pain and symptom management; applying principles of prognostication to those with serious illness and advanced age; and serious illness communication skills.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss how disease manifests differently in older adults and disease management in older adults using the Geriatrics 5Ms (mind, mobility, medications, multicomplexity, and what matters most) approach.
2. Apply practical strategies to identify and address geriatric syndromes that are common among older adults.
3. Identify hazards of hospitalization for older adults and review methods to minimize these risks.
4. Define frailty and its relevance to health care for older adults.
5. Review options for transitions of care for older adults and those with serious and chronic illness.
6. Review strategies for medication management and deprescribing in older adults.
7. Gain an understanding of palliative care management of common symptoms, including pain, depression, and complex medical conditions.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Jamie Newman, MD, MPH, MACP
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Healthcare Administration, and Medical History, Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Rachel Hammer, MD, MFA, Member
Assistant Professor, Divisions of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

The hospital is a complex environment. Navigating it on behalf of our patients requires a broad and constantly growing body of clinical knowledge combined with an understanding of the systems that support them. This Pre-Course will provide an update on key medical issues, take you through the challenges of common and uncommon clinical conundrums, and address how to improve the value of care we provide to our patients.

First and foremost, we will keep in mind the needs of the patient, as well as the impact on the hospital and the hospitalist. Individual lectures will include review of up-to-date medical care using a case-based format and audience-response polling. This Pre-Course will present an advanced and practical perspective of hospital medicine.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review inpatient management of complex patients in case-based presentations.
2. Explore conflicts in the management of patients with suspected impairment in medical decision making.
3. Provide updates on the latest hospital medicine literature.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Robert McCarron, DO, DFAPA, FAIHM, Member
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Director of Education, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, Associate Dean, Continuing Medical Education, Director, UC Irvine Train New Trainers (TNT) Fellowships, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA

Jane P. Gagliardi, MD, MHS, FACP
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC

Internal medicine physicians are often on the “front lines” in both specialty and primary care settings for the assessment and treatment of common psychiatric disorders. Nonbehavioral specialists treat most psychiatric disorders, and non-psychiatrists prescribe more than 80% of antidepressants. Formal psychiatric training for internal medicine physicians is often extremely limited and does not cover foundational topics, which are relevant to everyday practice in the general medical setting.

This Pre-Course will provide an evidence-informed update for internal medicine physicians on practical approaches to interviewing patients to recognize, diagnose, treat, and/or refer patients with commonly encountered mental health disorders. Expert clinician-educators with training in both internal medicine and psychiatry will emphasize the importance of a patient-centered approach, motivational interviewing, and simple cognitive behavioral techniques that can be quickly used in medical settings. A practical overview of psychopharmacology considerations in the general medical setting will also be provided. Faculty will focus on psychiatric diagnoses that are prevalent in general medical practice, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, insomnia, and bipolar mood disorders, to improve recognition, confidence in management, and effectiveness of referral.

Learning Objectives:

1. Update the internal medicine physician on practical patient-centered interview strategies to detect treatable mental illness.
2. Provide the internal medicine physician with familiarity with current best practices regarding management of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders in primary care and specialty medical settings. 
3. Provide the internal medicine physician with a practical approach to prescribing and monitoring common psychotropic medications to facilitate management and communication with psychiatric care providers.
   • Antidepressants in medical practice.
   • Antipsychotics in medical practice.
   • Drug–drug interactions relevant to psychotropic medications.
4. Give the internal medicine physician an overview and examples of the use of motivational interviewing in a busy medical practice.
5. Understand the different drug classes used to initiate and maintain sleep, including their mechanisms of action, indications for latency versus maintenance, and side effect profiles, to effectively choose the appropriate agent for each patient.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Julie L. Oyler, MD, FACP
Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA, SFHM, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO

ACP's annual quality improvement (QI) leadership training program provides meaningful QI implementation support based on principles of clinician engagement, patient and family partnership, team-based care, promotion of health equity, and promotion of clinician well-being. Participants will receive step-by-step guidance, based on the ACP QI approach, to help them through their QI journey, including how to establish the what and why for change, identify how to measure change, plan for change and identify solutions, and implement and sustain change.

Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups to design their own QI action plan to address their top practice challenge(s) under the guidance of national expert physician coaches. At the conclusion of this Pre-Course, participants will be able to understand and apply QI strategies to tackle a wide range of practice issues that are meaningful to their highest priority challenges. This full-day Pre-Course will launch participants on their QI journeys and provide them with the skills needed throughout their careers and to lead the way through the changing tides of health care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the four steps of the ACP QI approach, including establishing the what and why for change, identifying how to measure change, planning for change and identifying solutions, and implementing and sustaining change.
2. Explain the rationale for integrating clinician engagement, team-based care, patient and family partnership, promotion of health equity, and promotion of clinician well-being.
3. Identify and apply practical strategies for QI implementation using ACP resources and tools.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Fred A. Lopez, MD, MACP
Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA

Cynthia J .Brown, MD, MSPH, FACP
Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA

Whether preparing for the initial board examination or refreshing your knowledge for maintenance of certification, this popular 2-day Pre-Course provides an effective, fast-paced overview of core topics in internal medicine designed to focus on material that has a high probability of being included on the ABIM General Internal Medicine examinations. Taught by a faculty of clinician-educators, each an expert in their subspecialty, this condensed, high-yield review uses audience-response polling to actively engage participants and allow them to compare their answers with those of their peers. Each topic is introduced with a clinical case and a related multiple-choice question, the rationale for the correct answer is explained, and key clinical points are emphasized to promote learner retention. Participants also receive valuable tips for successful test-taking strategies included with course materials. This Pre-Course is an efficient way to prepare for an ABIM examination if you are short on time and seek a high-quality review.

Learning Objectives:

1. Enhance your knowledge of internal medicine by working through challenging clinical cases and questions guided by expert faculty.
2. Become adept at working through examination-type questions logically and successfully.
3. Implement changes in clinical practice in accordance with recent advances and evidence-based guidelines.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

David Tierney, MD, FACP
Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, Director, Internal Medicine Bedside Ultrasound (IMBUS) Program, Departments of Graduate Medical Education and Internal Medicine, Abbott Northwestern Hospital - Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN

Noelle Northcutt, MD, FACP
Associate Professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Denver Health Hospital, Aurora, CO

This hands-on 2-day course is designed to teach core POCUS skills to internal medicine physicians, centering on the skills needed to use ultrasound as a patient assessment tool in a variety of settings.

If you are interested in the potential for POCUS to expand your clinical reasoning skills, join this course taught by internationally acclaimed faculty. Online prelearning assignments and live lectures will provide a comprehensive foundation of core ultrasound knowledge. Utilizing a small-group, hands-on format, attendees will practice ultrasound scanning on live models to support the development of bedside image acquisition skills.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify indications and rationale for performing the following examinations: pulmonary ultrasound, focused cardiac ultrasound, kidney and bladder ultrasound, evaluation of abdomen for free fluid, and evaluation of lower extremity for deep venous thrombosis.
2. Perform the ultrasound examinations listed above.
3. Interpret normal and abnormal images for the applications listed above.
4. Interpret POCUS findings in clinical case scenarios.
5. Describe the principles of ultrasound operation, artifacts, and image optimization.

Note: This is a POCUS foundation course. Internal medicine physicians who complete this course will meet prerequisite training requirements for enrollment in additional internal medicine POCUS courses that will be offered by ACP. Visit acponline.org/pocus for more information.