Catalog

Studies show implicit bias among providers contributes to health disparities by negatively influencing clinical decision-making, provider-patient interactions, and patients' adherence to treatment plans. Consequently, patient-provider racial, ethnic, and language concordance is associated with improved patient satisfaction and health outcomes. As such, addressing the PA workforce diversity gap is essential to achieving health equity. Clinicians and academic educators will lead an open discussion on the intersection of implicit bias among healthcare providers, the PA workforce diversity gap, and health equity. This course engages attendees in case scenarios that consider patient and provider diversity in PA practice and underscore the need for practices and training that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in PA education. Real-life case discussions will be used to present a balanced view of bias in the profession and suggest actionable tools for personal and systemic improvement.

While we have made great strides in longevity through public health measures and clinical interventions, the U.S. life expectancy is far lower than that of countries of comparable wealth and is dropping. There are data indications that a large proportion of this is related to wealth disparities in the U.S., as well as the significant influence of racial discrimination, which impacts the stability of DNA through epigenetics. For PAs to help mitigate health disparities, this session will connect the etiology of disease with social determinants of health and epigenetics and provide participants with tools to counteract the effects of discrimination on the patients we serve.

The use of race to explain healthcare differences persists in modern medicine, even though there is no biological basis for race. In 2001, The Human Genome Project confirmed that the long-standing belief in the biological differences of races was false and proved that race is a social construct. Nonetheless, we continue to use race in clinical guidelines and algorithms in medicine, creating significant healthcare disparities. Only recently has the medical community begun to acknowledge the erroneous use of race-based medicine, and several organizations have recommended removing race from calculators and algorithms. However, race as a biological trait persists in some clinical calculators affecting the diagnosis and treatment of marginalized communities, especially Black people.

This activity reviews the 2023 American Association of Pediatrics guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood obesity. This activity covers the different options for treatment, including differences between currently available medications and surgery.

Evaluation and management of mood disorders is undoubtedly important at any point in a patient’s life, but gains particular significance in the peripartum period. This presentation will address how to optimize a patient’s mental health from pre-conception through delivery and beyond. Additional time will be spent reviewing how to care for the patient's partner as well as what community resources are available to support high-risk patients.

AAPA Conference on Demand 2024: Top 5 offers 5.0 credits of AAPA Category 1 CME from the world’s largest PA conference that you can access online anytime. The Top 5 features hot topics such as asthma guidelines and changes, emergency medicine tricks of the trade, highs and lows of electrolytes, and more.

Evidence-based courses to equip healthcare and wellness providers with the knowledge and resources to help people reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. AAPA has partnered with the Brain Health Academy™ | UsAgainstAlzheimer's to produce a series of evidence-based courses to equip healthcare and wellness providers with the knowledge and resources to help people reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.

There is growing evidence that suggests a link between alcohol use and dementia. Several studies have shown that there is a strong link between the high-level alcohol consumption and an increase in dementia risk. This course provides strategies and resources to help health professionals address alcohol use and build cognitive resilience.

There is growing evidence that suggests a link between depression and dementia. Several studies have shown that there is a strong link between the number of depressive episodes and the risk of developing dementia. This course provides strategies and resources to help health professionals address depression and build cognitive resilience.

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and brain. In fact, It is among the top risk factors for dementia. This course provides strategies to address diabetes and build cognitive resilience.