POCUS by PAs for PAs
Thursday 9AM-12PM
POCUS for PAs by PAs is a hands-on educational session designed specifically for Physician Assistants who are interested in learning point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). This beginner-friendly workshop requires no previous POCUS experience, making it an excellent introduction for clinicians looking to build foundational ultrasound skills.
Participants will have the opportunity to gain practical experience using a variety of POCUS machines from different manufacturers while practicing focused ultrasound examinations. The session will cover scanning techniques for:
Abdominal Aorta – screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)
Cardiac – identification of pericardial effusions
Lung – assessment for pneumothorax
Ocular – evaluation for retinal detachment
Through guided, hands-on instruction by experienced PAs, attendees will become familiar with basic image acquisition, anatomy recognition, and the clinical applications of POCUS in everyday practice.
Clinical Case Report Writing with PARSEC
Thursday 9AM-12PM
PARSEC (Physician Assistants for Research, Scholarship, and Education in Canada) invites you to an interactive workshop on writing clinical case reports. Designed for practicing physician assistants who are new or returning to clinical research, this session will provide a practical introduction to turning an interesting clinical case into a well-written case report.
Participants will learn how to identify a suitable case, develop a focused clinical question, navigate ethical considerations, and conduct an efficient literature review. Using real examples, guided exercises, dedicated writing time, and individualized feedback, participants will begin developing their own case report while learning how to organize each section of the manuscript, apply reporting guidelines, and avoid common pitfalls.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have the knowledge and practical tools to continue developing their case report beyond the conference.
The Pelvic Exam: From Basics to Procedures
Thursday 9AM-4PM
This workshop will take place in two parts over one day:
Morning: The pelvic exam in our patients with vaginas is a critical skill every clinician needs to have in their toolbelt. It is an exam that requires not only technical skill, but also emotional intelligence and a trauma informed framework. In this dynamic workshop we will review how to consent for exams, patient positioning, speculum placement with minimal discomfort, common pitfalls in finding the cervix and the bimanual exam. With the support of multiple gynecology PAs, pelvic models and speculums you can work to make your skills the best they can be.
Afternoon: You know how to place a speculum and find a cervix- now what? In this workshop we will cover the next steps from cervical screening, to common gynecologic procedures. In this workshop you will learn how to do a cervical block, place a tenaculum smoothly and appropriately, how to sound the uterus for an endometrial biopsy or IUD placement. There will be IUD simulators for placement with feedback about pressure, tension and pain. If you see a cervical polyp- we will teach you how to remove it! Is the next step in gynecologic care that can be done in the family medicine office or the ER. You will have multiple gynecology CCPAs at your aid for any questions and skill refinement.