A sneak preview of Annual Session ‘06

TAFP is Frisco-bound

By Kate McCann

Join in on the fun in Frisco, Texas, as TAFP hosts the 57th Annual Session and Scientific Assembly July 20-23, 2006. Each year, hundreds of primary care physicians gather to learn, network, explore the latest techniques, products and services, and have a great time. The TAFP staff has been working all year to make this year’s conference bigger, better and more valuable to attendees than any other.

TAFP’s schedule of CME events features the latest findings on topics in primary care. Physicians have the opportunity to earn up to 28 CME credits at engaging lectures given by leaders in medical research. Attendees can also get an inside look at the most up-to-date products and services available from more than 90 companies of the health care marketplace. Don’t stop at education, though. Get involved in the hot topics facing primary care at the TAFP committee/commission meetings. Here participants can share thoughts on a variety of issues and topics that affect family medicine and find out what is being done to address them. After the business is done, it is time to join the family medicine family at numerous receptions and events celebrating the important role of family physicians.

A keynote address by David Sherman, M.D., will start things off on Friday. Sherman has served as the Chief of Neurology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio since 1986 and has participated in multiple clinical trials of stroke prevention and treatment. Don’t miss his talk on the current concepts of stroke management as he raises ideas about stroke risk factors, treatment benefits and different therapies for survivors that will certainly incite interesting discussion among health care professionals.

Thursday afternoon’s CME schedule is packed with great activities to keep participants on the cutting edge of the medical world. In addition to the customary workshops dedicated to risk management and the mentoring role of the preceptor, TAFP is excited to offer a new workshop to explore the family physician’s role in caring for opioid-dependent patients. This workshop will help organize the complex issue of a treatment surrounded by legalities, ethics and controversy, and enhance your ability to help these patients. For those who treat grayer populations, the geriatrics workshop will help hone prescribing practices for elderly patients. Learn more about dementia and delirium, depression, Parkinson’s, osteoporosis and fall prevention.

The most exciting development this year is the all-day procedures workshop. The morning activities will focus on dermatologic procedures while the topic of joint exams will fill the afternoon hours. Intense hands-on sessions with the instruments and equipment of these procedures will leave attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how dermatologic procedures and joint exams fit into a family practice.

The current AAFP president, Larry Fields, M.D., will give the closing keynote address, a report on the activities of the national Academy. Fields is a senior partner at Family Medicine Center in Ashland, Ky., and a clinical professor at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and the University of Louisville. As AAFP president, he has played an important role in strengthening the voice of family medicine by leading efforts to open communication lines between the Academy and health insurance companies, the U.S. government and other influential organizations.

Annual Session’s premier location at the Embassy Suites Hotel Dallas-Frisco, puts conference participants in the middle of an up-and-coming metropolitan area. Just north of downtown Dallas and 25 minutes from DFW International Airport and Love Field Airport, the hotel is also minutes away from over 4 million square feet of retail space. Shoppers will love the Stonebriar Centre, one of the premier shopping malls in the Southwest, and the Centre at Preston Ridge, an outdoor market packed with restaurants and specialty shops, as well as the Swedish home decoration sensation, IKEA.

TAFP has negotiated a special group rate at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The room block is available until July 2, 2006 or until all rooms are reserved, whichever comes first. Single or double rate is $119. For reservations please contact the Embassy Suites reservations agent at (800) 362-2779 or (972) 712-7200. Be sure to mention that you are with the Texas Academy of Family Physicians to receive this special group rate.

For complete conference info, the CME schedule, a schedule of TAFP committee and commission meetings and to register online, go to www.tafp.org.