MER Primary Care Conferences Internal Medicine for Primary Care Gastro Neuro Psych Mar 27-29, 2026

MER Primary Care Conferences Internal Medicine for Primary Care Gastro Neuro Psych Mar 27-29, 2026

1. Overview

This is a primary care medical conference organized by Medical Education Resources (MER), a non-profit organization. The conference is titled “Internal Medicine for Primary Care: Gastroenterology/Neurology/Psychiatry”. It will take place from March 27-29, 2026, at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV.

2. Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

• Utilize history and physical examination to distinguish weakness from non-specific symptoms.

• Utilize prevention and treatment strategies for cerebrovascular disorders.

• Discuss the spectrum of sleep disorders and current management strategies.

• Describe the differential diagnosis of headaches and migraines.

• List current treatment recommendations for the management of lower GI bleeding.

• Discuss the guidelines for colonoscopic colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.

• Discuss options to prevent recurring pancreatitis.

• Identify patients most at risk for pancreas cancer.

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

• Describe strategies for identifying and treating substance use disorders.

• Describe symptoms that move depression to plans for suicide.

• Recommend appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment for depression.

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, gastroenterologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists.

4. Topics

Friday, March 27, 2026

• Neurology – Evaluating Weakness: Using the history and physical examination to distinguish weakness from non-specific symptoms; characteristics of neurological diseases that produce weakness; presentations of representative diseases of the nervous system.

• Neurology – Cerebrovascular Disorders: Epidemiology; identifying the high-risk patient; treatment effects; transient neurological deficit: carotid, vertebrobasilar; non-specific cerebral symptoms; migraines vs. TIA; treatment options.

• Neurology – Sleep Disorders: Epidemiology; assessing sleep patterns; causes and treatment of insomnia; causes, evaluation and treatment of sleep apnea; symptoms and treatment of narcolepsy.

• Gastroenterology – Management of Lower GI Bleeding- From Occult to Massive: The correct use and interpretation of tests for occult blood in the stool will be discussed in relation to lower GI bleeding; focus on the utility of different diagnostic and management approached to the spectrum of patients presenting with hematochezia.

• Gastroenterology – Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance: Reviews the most recent recommendations for CRC screening in the general population at average risk for CRC.

Saturday, March 28, 2026

• Gastroenterology – Acute Pancreatitis: Etiology and Management: Recognition of acute and chronic pancreatitis; The etiology of pancreatitis and determination of next steps in management; Discussion of complications of pancreatitis and how to counsel patients on how to prevent recurrence of pancreatitis.

• Gastroenterology – Pancreas Cancer Screening: Determination of who qualifies for pancreas cancer screening and how to refer for pancreas cancer screening; Discussion of the importance of the family history and genetic counseling; Discussion of how pancreas screening is accomplished.

• Neurology – Headaches & Migraines: Basic headache mechanisms; headache history: characteristics, precipitating factors, medical conditions; migraine: common tension, classic, treatment, complicated, cluster, sinus; trigeminal neuralgia; Giant Cell Arteritis; brain tumor; subarachnoid hemorrhage; emergency room treatment.

• Psychiatry – The Complexity of Adult ADHD: ADHD in adults with an emphasis on symptom identification; Co-occurring conditions; Psychiatric and medical differential diagnosis; evidence-based and FDA approved pharmacological treatments.

• Psychiatry – Substance Use Disorders: Substance abuse history-taking to encourage patient honesty; Accurate diagnosis; Use of screening tools; Brief intervention; Recovery and treatment options; Motivational interviewing; Family symptoms and codependency.

Sunday, March 29, 2026

• Psychiatry – Depression and Suicide: Assessment of depressive symptoms in adults; Assessment and mitigation of suicide risk; Treatment of depression.

• Psychiatry – Psychopharmacology for Major Depression: History taking, diagnosis and treatment of depression across the lifespan; pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options; rational polypharmacy.