Gastroenterology and Pharmacology for Primary Care
Mar 14, 2025 – Mar 16, 2025
Austin - The Westin Austin Downtown
Experience the Live Music Capital of the World from the comfort of The Westin Austin Downtown. Surround yourself with the excitement of downtown Austin, TX. Less than a block from 6th Street, this upscale hotel is steps from the city’s best live entertainment, from music joints to local nightlife. The Texas Capitol and its lush grounds are located less than a mile from the hotel. Explore further to reach the outdoor events and festivals in Zilker Metropolitan Park or tour the expansive halls of Blanton Museum of Art, one of America’s largest galleries.
Exciting news, SXSW, a yearly event and music festival in Austin, TX will be taking place over some of the conference dates celebrating the intersection of film, music, tech, education, and culture CLICK HERE for more information.
Tuition Discount
Past Attendees Save $50: Past MCE Conferences attendees (within the previous three years) automatically receive a $50 discount at checkout.
Bring a Friend or Colleague and Save $50: If you are attending with another healthcare professional you are eligible for a $50 discount.
Overview & Agenda
Gastroenterology and Pharmacology – 12 Credits
Overview
This conference is designed to provide primary care practitioners with up-to-date, evidence-based information on commonly encountered issues in Gastroenterology and Pharmacology while suggesting pragmatic approaches to clinical management. The discussion-based format of the conference will encourage audience participation through dynamic lectures, case-based studies, and hands-on workshops. Keynote speakers will present and critically assess recent advancements and industry updates in Gastroenterology and Pharmacology with the goal of enhancing the knowledge-base and core competence of attendees. The successful completion of this interactive program diagnosing, treating, and prescribing the most effective courses of treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.
Target Audience
All Physicians and other healthcare professionals who are seeking clinical information about issues in Gastroenterology and Pharmacology.
Speakers
Our presenting national faculty speakers make it their professional goals to enhance the training of primary care clinicians. This Continuing Medical Education program promises to help you learn the most current, best medicine, and techniques for making the diagnosis easier during a 20 minute office visit.
Schedule
Friday, March 14th
Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids: A Regulatory Perspective
Objectives: 1) Describe evolving opioid prescribing and regulatory practices in the United States 2) Discuss recently released opioid prescribing guidelines, while highlighting the relevance to primary care providers 3) Determine best practices for managing patients with chronic nonmalignant pain, while highlighting guidance from a regulatory perspective 4) Discuss cases, investigations, and licensure outcomes involving prescribers and opioids to identify practice improvement opportunities
Medical Management of Common Substance Use Disorders
Objectives: 1) Explore evidence-based treatment approaches for substance use disorders 2) Discuss strategies to fully engage patients and their families in the process, including shared decision-making and building trust 3) Gain insights into pharmacotherapeutic treatments, including their mechanisms of action, risks, and benefits as well as relevant psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions
Celiac Disease: Is There More to Gluten?
Objectives: 1) Identify which patients should be screened for celiac disease 2) Discuss the tools necessary to differentiate between gluten disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Constipation: How to Treat It
Objectives: 1) Discuss a symptom-based approach in differentiating between irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation and opioid-induced constipation 2) Determine which therapy will work best
Saturday, March 15th
Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 1
Objectives: 1) Discuss key physiologic and pathophysiologic changes of aging that impact drug therapy 2) Apply age-sensitive principles for medication dosing and management to patient scenarios
Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 2
Objectives: 1) List nine key questions useful for identifying and managing inappropriate polypharmacy, such as unnecessary medication use in older adults 2) Apply practical tools to screen and appropriately manage complex drug regimens among older adults with or at-risk for drug injury 3) Discuss high-risk drug-drug and drug-dietary supplement interactions commonly encountered in primary care, including best practices in identifying and managing related toxicities
GERD, NERD and the Role of PPI Therapy
Objectives: 1) Recognize the epidemic of PPI use 2) Discuss the necessity and the safety of medications 3) Discuss common conditions that may have potential risks of malignancy
Colon Cancer Screening: 2025 Update
Objectives: 1) Increase compliance with colon cancer screening in the general population 2) Review available colon cancer screening tests and the latest guidelines
Sunday, March 16th
How to Approach Liver Enzymes
Objectives: 1) Differentiate hepatocellular from cholestatic changes 2) Interpret hepatitis B labs 3) Determine how to proceed once findings are present and discuss risk stratification on these findings
What to Do with All the Cysts
Objectives: 1) Differentiate benign from malignant findings on imaging 2) Tailor further surveillance and therapy based on these findings
Challenging Digestive Scenarios: An Interactive Case-Based Discussion
Objectives: 1) Develop a frame to systematically break down and analyze complex digestive system scenarios 2) Become more comfortable and empowered to handle such cases upon returning to the clinical practice
Managing Anxiety and Sleep Disorders: Drug and Non-Pharmacologic Considerations
Objectives: 1) Describe signs and symptoms of common sleep disorders and anxiety disorders with a focus on older adults. 2) Discuss common anxiety disorders, including the neurobiological basis of disease, clinical presentation, assessment, and approach to treatment. 3) Recognize evidence-based treatments for insomnia and common anxiety disorders, including lifestyle, behavioral, and pharmacologic interventions. 4) Identify key parameters that warrant referral to specialty care for individuals with insomnia and/or anxiety disorders
Optimizing Psychopharmacotherapy in Depression: Clinical Cases
Objectives: 1) Discuss pharmacologic management options within clinical cases of patients withdepression2) Relate physiologic and pathophysiologic alterations of brain neurochemistry to symptoms of depression, including the genetic link and molecular basis of injury 3) Apply clinical practice guidelines for antidepressant therapies 4) Identify key parameters for medications used to treat mechanism, safety, tolerability, efficacy, cost, and simplicity of use
Please Note: Content is subject to change without notice. Please refer to this activity website for the most current information.
Program Schedule
Date
Location
Description
Time
March 14, 2025
Westin Conference Center
Conference - Day 1
Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees
Check-In Opens at 7:15 AM
7:30 AM - 11:50 AM
March 15, 2025
Westin Conference Center
Conference - Day 2
Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees
7:30 AM - 11:50 AM
March 16, 2025
Westin Conference Center
Conference - Day 3
Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees
7:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education – ACCME
MCE Conferences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
MCE Conferences designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ABIM MOC Recognition
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 12 (part II) MOC pointsin the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
American Academy of Family Physicians – AAFP
This live activity is being reviewed and will be acceptable for up to 12 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians. AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to the AMA PRA Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physicians Recognition Award. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada – CFPC
The AAFP and the CFPC have a bilateral reciprocal certification agreement whereby: CME/CPD activities held across the Canada – U.S. border are certified according to the nationality of the primary target audiences regardless of where the providers are located. The activities will be reviewed according to the criteria of the certifying organization.
American Osteopathic Association – AOA
CME activities approved for AAFP credit are recognized by the AOA as equivalent to AOA Category 2 credit.
American Academy of Physician Assistants – AAPA
AAPA accepts Category 1 CME approval from the AAFP.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners – AANP
AAFP Prescribed Credits are accepted by the AANP.
American Nurses Credentialing Center – ANCC
According to the ANCC, the continuing education hours approved by the AAFP meet the ANCC-accredited CNE criteria.
Pharmacology Credits
This course is being reviewed and will be acceptable for up to 12 CME credits; please verify with your Medical Board which hours may be applied toward Pharmacology credit.
Hotel Accommodations
Lodging Reservations -To make your lodging reservation, please Click Here. If you need assistance, please contact our office at info@mceconferences.com.
Please note: Room categories are based on availability at the time of request.
Accommodations – The 366 hotel rooms and suites at The Westin Austin Downtown are designed to keep you feeling your best. Enjoy stunning city views from your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows plus vibrant artwork inspired by downtown Austin’s live music tradition. Awake refreshed in our Heavenly® Bed and pamper yourself in the Heavenly® Shower.
- Guestroom Standard ROH – $299 Per Room Per Night Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees
Traditional rooms are 350sqft/32sqm and feature signature Westin Heavenly® Bed and Bath Amenities.
Bedding Options: One King or 2 Queen Beds
Maximum Occupancy: One King – 3 Adults or 2 Queen Beds – 4 Adults
Additional Lodging Information
Taxes: Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.614%) in effect at the time of check-out. All Taxes are subject to change at any time without notice.
Additional Adult Fee: Room rates are quoted as Single/Double occupancy. There will be a $20 fee per adult per night for each additional adult 18 years of age or older beyond Single/Double occupancy.
Check-in/Check-out: Check-in is after 3:00 p.m. and Check-out is before 12:00 p.m. Subject to hotel changes.
Parking – Hotel offers valet parking only. Hotel generally offers Dynamic Pricing between $59.00 – $69.00 (plus tax) per night; however may offer hourly rates as listed below. Please confirm with Hotel prior to your arrival. Pricing is subject to change at Hotel’s Discretion.
0-3 Hours – $22.00+ (plus tax)
3-6 Hours – $34.00+ (plus tax)
6-24 Hours – $59.00+ (plus tax)
Lodging Deposit – All reservations must be accompanied by a first-night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.
Lodging Cancellations – Terms and conditions as per MCE’s room allotment agreement with conference lodging venue:
- Cancellation made 31 days or more prior to arrival: A full refund will be issued.
- Cancellation 30 days or less prior to arrival: No refunds will be issued.
- No-shows and early departures are considered a cancellation: No refunds will be issued.
All lodging cancellations must be made directly with the lodging venue. Please refer to your lodging confirmation for contact information and policies.
Register & Book Your Lodging Early! The MCE reduced room rates will be available to registered attendees up until February 1, 2025 (based on availability). Our allotment for reduced room rates may sell out before this date. We urge you to secure your lodging reservation as early as possible. Reduced rates will also be offered for 3 nights pre and post-program dates (based on availability).
Room Reservation Guidelines – The lodging reservation link has been created for the MCE Conference continuing medical education program, and only guests that are registered for this CME conference are eligible to use this site in order to access discounted rooms and/or theme park tickets (if applicable).
- Attendees must register within (7) seven days of booking MCE discounted lodging to avoid cancellations or increased nightly rates (depending on Hotel/Resort policy).
- We allow a maximum of 2 room reservations per registered attendee, based on availability and rates at the time of booking.
- Rooms and/or tickets (if applicable) cannot be purchased for the purpose of, or with the intention of being resold.
- All reservations must be made under the registered attendee’s name, as all reservations and ticket orders (if applicable) will be audited against the CME program registration list. Should it be necessary, we reserve the right to contact you to request proof of registration. If it is discovered that the reservation and/or ticket order is not for an MCE Conferences participant, the reservations and/or ticket order may be canceled or modified based on the Hotel/Resort policy, and deposits may not be eligible for a refund.
Please note: In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the number of registrations per conference.
Additional Travel Information
Airport Information – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is approximately 10.5 miles/20 minutes from The Westin Austin Downtown.
Airport Transportation –
Shuttles:
Airport Reservations: 1-800-BLUE VAN (258-3826)
Groups and Charters: 512-929-3900 ext. 4 (after hours use ext. 2)
AusSales@supershuttle.net
Taxi:
Estimated taxi fare is approximately $35 one-way from AUS.
ATX Co Op: 512-333-5555
Lone Star Cab: 512-836-4900
Yellow Cab: 512-452-9999
Minimum fare for taxi customers is $13.30, this includes a $2.00 airport surcharge. All taxis have a four-passenger maximum, excluding children 12-years and under. All taxis accept major credit cards.
Car Rental – To make your discounted car rental reservation, please click on the following links:
(please note: car rental company availability may differ based on airport/ destination)
- AVIS – Click Here and enter G028287 in the “AWD Number” box to receive the Group Discount.
- Budget – Click Here
- Enterprise – Click Here and enter XZB6145 to receive the MCE Conferences Group Discount.
- Hertz – Click Here and check the “Enter a Discount or Promo Code” and “I am a Corporate Customer” boxes. Enter 2086989 in the “Discount/CDP/Club Code” box to receive the Group Discount.
- National – Click Here and enter XZB6145 under Contract ID to receive Group Discount.
Special Assistance – MCE’s policy is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If special arrangements are necessary for an individual with a disability to attend a conference, please contact our office at 1-888-533-9031.
Please Note: MCE is not associated with the third-party services listed herein and shall not be liable for any services of such third-party providers.
Other Upcoming Conferences
Internal Medicine Update and Psychiatry for Primary Care
Cardiology and Geriatrics for Primary Care
Family Medicine Update and Women’s Health for Primary Care
Primary Care Update: Internal Medicine and Neurology
What Are You Waiting For?
Register Early! In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the amount of registrations per conference. Some conferences may have a lower registration limit due to the destination logistics and lodging availability.