RA in Focus: From Diagnosis to Collaborative Management

• Describe the typical clinical manifestations of RA, including joint involvement, systemic symptoms, and extra-articular manifestations.
• Discuss the diagnostic criteria for RA, including serological and imaging findings.
• Differentiate RA from other inflammatory arthropathies and mimickers, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis for appropriate.
• Discuss the pharmacological interventions and the role of non-pharmacological strategies such as physical therapy and life-style modifications.
• Describe the collaborative care model and when to refer to a Rheumatologist – pathways in Qatar.

• Describe the shared mechanisms and risk factors linking cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases.
• Evaluate current diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatment options for managing these interconnected conditions.
• Develop strategies for multidisciplinary care to optimize patient outcomes in cardiovascular- kidney-metabolic disease.

• Describe the burden of type 2 diabetes in Qatar.
• Discuss type 2 diabetes screening and diagnosis.
• Discuss the management of type 2 diabetes with a focus on new pharmacotherapies.

Endocrinologist:

• Explain the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, including fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels, and their impact on various physiological systems.

• Develop personalized treatment plans for menopausal women experiencing endocrine-related symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and metabolic changes.

• Discuss lifestyle modifications and nutritional strategies to support women through the menopausal transition.

Gynecologist:

• Evaluate the impact of menopause on vaginal health, reproductive function, and sexual wellbeing, including the physiological changes associated with estrogen depletion.

• Review interventions for managing vaginal dryness and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including hormonal and non-hormonal therapies.

Psychiatrist:

• Discuss the varying mental health issues present during the menopausal period, including mood changes, anxiety, and depression.

• Review evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and psychopharmacological agents used for these patients.

Overall:

• Collaborate with various disciplines to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both hormonal and psychological aspects of menopause, optimizing patient outcomes and quality of care.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the components of a thyroid function panel and their clinical significance.
• Define subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and discuss the controversies regarding the management of subclinical thyroid dysfunction.
• Identify potential substances and conditions that can interfere with TFTs.
• Discuss the management of thyroid dysfunction, emerging strategies to improve compliance, pathways in Qatar, and when to refer to an endocrinologist.

• Evaluate chest pain syndromes.
• Identify which patients require a cardiac workup for syncope, and management of syncope.
• Identify the anticipated cardiac findings in a young athlete, and how to council athletic individuals.

• Discuss the principles guiding early diagnosis and cancer screening, evaluating risks and benefits of screening.
• Prepare to set yourself up for success: effective physician-patient communication strategies for cancer screening.
• Review the approach to breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer screening.

• Describe diverse ways non-infectious systemic diseases can manifest in the skin.
• Outline a systematic approach to assess patients presenting with dermatological symptoms for possible underlying systemic diseases, integrating clinical history, physical examination findings, and appropriate diagnostic tests.
• Develop differential diagnoses for cutaneous manifestations commonly associated with systemic disorders and formulate management plans, including referrals to specialists when necessary.
• Evaluate the significance of specific dermatological findings in the context of systemic disease presentations, considering their diagnostic and prognostic implications.

• Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to primary hypertension.
• Identify the proper use of recommended diagnostic tools for assessing primary hypertension in a clinical setting.
• Develop a patient-specific treatment plan based on the latest guidelines, considering individual risk factors and comorbidities.
• Apply evidence-based strategies for monitoring and adjusting antihypertensive medications in primary care patients with hypertension.

• Review the neurological basis of back pain, including the anatomy and physiology of the spine, nerves, and surrounding structures.
• Discuss diagnostic approaches and red flags indicative of serious neurological conditions associated with back pain, enabling timely referral and appropriate management in primary care settings.

• Review clinical pearls in the fields of neurology, cardiology, endocrinology and oncology which are relevant to the day-to-day practice of primary care physicians.

1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
2.  Dementia
3. Life after Cancer: An Overview of Cancer Survivorship Principles for the Primary Care Physician
4. Obesity