Saturday, October 26

Breakfast

0715 – 0800

The Top 10 Missed Emergency Medicine Complaints

0800 – 0850

John Bielinski, Jr. MS, PA-C, CME4Life

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Implement the HEART score in the discharge of patients with low risk chest pain

2. Recall the most effective test to now miss the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

3. Recognize the presentation of a pulmonary embolism

Cannabis and the Current Landscape since Legalization

0800 – 0850

Jason Busse, DC, PhD, Associate Professor, McMaster University

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify who uses cannabis and why

2. Discuss current evidence for therapeutic use of cannabis

3. Outline promising areas for future research

Housekeeping and Speaker Introductions

0900 – 0910

The Power of Kindness: A Personal and Professional Search

0910 – 1000

Dr. Brian Goldman, Radio Host – White Coat, Black Art 

Dr. Brian Goldman is a staff emergency physician at Sinai Health System in Toronto. Since 2007, he has hosted White Coat, Black Art an award-winning show about the patient experience in the culture of modern medicine. He is author of three Canadian bestselling books. His latest book, The Power of Kindness: Why Empathy is Essential in Everyday Life, his personal and professional search for empathy inside his brain, his heart and around the world.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:

1. Define the key parts of empathy and distinguish them from sympathy

2. List personal and system factors that detract from empathy in health care

3. Develop ways to be more empathic on the job

A Beautiful Death: An Overview of Medically Assisted Dying (MAID) in Canada

1030 – 1120

Dr. Tatiana Conrad, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital-Ontario Cancer Institute

This session will serve to inform physician assistants about the evolution of Medically Assisted Dying (MAiD) in Canada and will also identify roles for PAs in the patient/family experience.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Develop a cultural context of MAID in Canada

2. Identify the process & eligibility criteria for MAID in Canada

3. Discuss barriers to access of MAID

4. Identify role for PA’s in discussion of MAID

Making Friends and Influencing People: Practical Tips on Starting Your PA Career

1030 – 1120

Vanessa Martino, CCPA; Mike Dalliday, CCPA

This mentorship session is for everyone, from students and new graduates seeking their first job to experienced PAs looking for a career change. You’ll hear from PAs who started networking early to land their ideal job. They will share approaches to job searching and networking, and describe the lessons they learned over the course of many conversations and meetings with physicians, administrators, and health care decision makers.

There’s great demand for health care professionals who prove themselves to be enterprising and proactive in everything they do, starting with their job search. This session will give you the chance to ask questions and get practical advice for career success.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Illustrate the PA value proposition and how to effectively make the case for hiring a PA

2. Prepare for different networking scenarios and how to respond

3. Develop a step-by-step approach to your job search

Workshop: Demystifying EKG Interpretation

1030 – 1220

John Bielinski, Jr. MS, PA-C, CME4Life

ECG interpretation is an art. You need to have a clear picture of patient presentation in conjunction with an understanding of pathophysiology and the ECG. It’s a puzzle. The objectives of this workshop is to teach clinical application of ECG interpretation as taught through the 5 causes of ST segment elevation, 4 causes of ST depression, 4 causes of a clipped T wave and the 3 causes of a wide complex QRS.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1.  Explain the two safety nest of EKG Interpretation

2.  Identify the five causes of ST segment elevation

3.  Define the four causes of ST segment depression

4.  Examine the four causes of a flipped T wave

5.  Evaluate the causes of a wide complex QRS

6.  Review the three causes of hyperkalemia

Opioids for Chronic non-Cancer Pain

1130 – 1220

Jason Busse, DC, PhD, Associate Professor, McMaster University

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1.  Recognize benefits and harms of opioids for chronic pain

2.  Interpret treatment effects

3.  Identify the role of patient values and preferences

Finding your Funding Panel Discussion

1130 – 1220

Maitry Patel, CCPA, University Health Network; Deniece O’Leary, MPAS, PA-C, Faculty Member, University of Toronto 

This session will offer strategies and advice on how to find funding to secure your position.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Recognize potential barriers in identifying funding for your position

2. Identify various routes for funding to explore

3. Apply strategies to secure funding

Implementation of Standardized Discharge Prescriptions to Manage Post-Operative Pain in Thoracic Surgery

1330 – 1420

Yousra Hasnain (CCPA); Alison Wallace (MD, PHD)

The overuse of opioids for post-operative pain has contributed to an opioid epidemic. Over prescribing of opioids after Thoracic Surgery can be prevented with standardized discharge prescriptions. This presentation will outline guidelines for discharge medications and explain how a patient information sheet can be effective in counseling patients on opioid use, adjunct pain medications, and advising on safe disposal. The aim is to avoid over-prescribing and ensure patients have adequate pain management after being discharged.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Summarize opioid epidemic effects on healthcare specifically in surgery

2. Explain the rational of implementation of standardized discharge medications

3. List the benefits of a team based approach of a PA and MD team

ADHD Awareness and Management

1330 – 1420

Dr. Joan Flood

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Define ADHD as well as its various presentations and associations with other comorbid psychiatric disorders

2. Identify common misperceptions that prevent many primary care practitioners from treating ADHD

3. Apply 2018 Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines to the assessment and management of ADHD

Pre-Operative Assessment – Considerations and Guidelines for the Primary Care PA

1430 – 1520

Rita A. Rienzo MMSc, PA-C, Assistant Professor, Yale University

Primary Care providers are frequently asked to evaluate a patient’s readiness for surgery and to provide medical clearance. The goal of the evaluation is to detect unrecognized diseases and risk factors that may increase the risk of surgery, as well as to maximize the patient’s status relative to their pre-existing conditions in order to mitigate potential post-operative complications. The significance of the task, however, may compel providers to over-test, which can be costly, may over-expose patients to needless labs and procedures, create additional anxiety, and may also cause an unnecessary delay of the surgery, potentially worsening the underlying condition. Providers may feel compelled to order a battery of labs and studies based on existing protocols that may not provide any additional or useful information to the anesthesiologist or the surgeon. Current guidelines recommend that preoperative assessment focus on 1) the individual patient’s pre-existing conditions and 2) investigation of previously undiagnosed conditions, as suggested by the history and physical exam that may present a post-operative risk. This presentation seeks to advise PAs on the appropriate pre-operative evaluation of adults undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Determine the appropriate patient-specific pre-operative work-up, based on past medical history and physical exam, to mitigate post-operative complications

2. Identify medical problems that increase morbidity and mortality related to non-cardiac surgery

3. Identify current Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for assessing and managing cardiac risk for non-cardiac surgery patients

Hypertension Guidelines

1430 – 1520

Dr. George Zimakas

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Apply appropriate methods for making a diagnosis of hypertension

2. Implement evidence-based threshold and target BPs

3. Integrate new guidelines for hypertension management including:

– Use of longer-acting over shorter-acting diuretics

– Use of single pill combinations as a first-line treatment

Student Workshop: How to Succeed on Clinical Rotations and Early in Your Career

1430 – 1620

Ohood Elzibak, BHSc.(PA), MPAS, CCPA, Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), McMaster University

This is an interactive workshop aimed at first and second year Physician Assistant students who are looking to optimize their time and experience while on clinical rotations. The session will begin with a brief overview of the CanMEDS-PA framework and its relevance to the clinical PA student.  Audience members will have an opportunity to share examples of how the framework can be applied to clinical encounters with patients, colleagues, co-learners and supervisors.  The speaker will then share concrete, practical tips on becoming “The Ideal PA Clerk”, incorporating feedback form current PA educators and clinical evaluators. The second part of the workshop involves a breakout session where students will be presented with a conflict scenario related to clinical rotations and will collaborate in small groups to brainstorm conflict resolution strategies. An open, large group discussion will follow and a model will be proposed by the speaker to help students strategically and systematically address conflict. The session will conclude with general tips on scheduling electives, tackling a challenging job market and transitioning into new employment.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Outline the duties and responsibilities of a PA clerk and a newly graduated PA by applying the CanMEDS-PA framework

2. Identify the characteristics of “The Ideal PA Clerk” based on the principles of the CanMEDS-PA profile

3. Outline strategies for developing an effective clerkship schedule and setting up suitable electives

4. Investigate appropriate avenues for resolving conflict between a PA clerk and a supervisor, another learner, a patient or a staff member

5. Discuss strategies for turning a rotation into a potential job opportunity

6. Explore the utility of networking and inquiry skills to allow for a smooth transition into a new career

The Nurse Practitioner role: Challenges and opportunities for the non-physician workforce

1530 – 1620

Dawn Tymianski, PhD, NP Adult, CEO, Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario

The purpose of this talk is to provide a background and discuss the scope of practice of the Nurse Practitioner workforce and the challenges faced by this non-physician workforce in health care delivery. Topics will include regulation and legislation, funding models, license portability, and workforce sustainability. Additionally, the talk will discuss improving role integration in the changing healthcare landscape.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role and scope of practice of Nurse Practitioner

2. Appreciate the barriers for the non-physician workforce in healthcare delivery

3. Consider the potential opportunities for the non-physician workforce in the changing landscape

Liability Insurance

1630 – 1700

Adèle E. Robinson, BCom, CIP, CRM, Vice President Programs, Bradley’s Commercial Insurance Limited

CAF Members Forum

1630 – 1720

Marc Bilodeau, Deputy Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces

The Deputy Surgeon General will address CAF members.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:

1. Recall the progress that has been made for the Physician Assistant (PA) profession within the CAF in the past year.

Cocktails

1830 – 1900

Awards Gala and President’s Dinner

1900 – 0100