FRIDAY/SATURDAY POSTGRADUATE COURSES
May 18-23
San Francisco, California
ATS has scheduled 29 postgraduate courses prior to the start of the Conference. The courses will be held on two days, Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19. Postgraduate courses require an additional registration and fee. Attendance is limited. Plan to register early to ensure attendance at the course.
The following postgraduate courses are being offered:
PG1 - PULMONARY ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY: MORE THAN JUST CROSSING YOUR T'S
This course focuses on lung adaptive immunity. It will review basic concepts in T cell biology and will also address hot topics, such as T regulatory cells, Th17 cells and micro RNAs. The course will feature experts in the field, who are not only great speakers and teachers, but who are also able to draw from their own research to supplement the presentations with real-life data and examples relevant to human health. The course will take advantage of ATS 2012 being in San Francisco and the rich community of immunologists located in the area.
PG2 - GRANT FUNDAMENTALS FOR CLINICAL, COMMUNITY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCHERS
Fellows, researchers, and clinicians need practical information about writing grants. This course is designed to provide investigators from various disciplines the tools necessary to prepare competitive grants that are likely to be funded. Course faculty will teach about key grant elements and the peer review process, including the new NIH scoring system; practical tips to increase the likelihood of being funded will be offered. The afternoon will include interactive discussions with faculty who will facilitate two mock NIH-study sections as well as small group breakout sessions where participants can receive feedback from faculty on their own grants or grant ideas.
PG3 - LUNG CANCER: STATE OF THE ART IN 2012
This PG course will discuss in detail the state of the art of caring for patients with lung cancer in 2012. Topics will include tobacco cessation, screening for lung cancer, radiation induced cancer, evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules, lung cancer staging, targeted therapy for lung cancer, and palliation.
PG4 - INTENSIVE CARE UNIT MONITORING
Monitoring patients in the ICU is a fundamental skill for clinicians who care for the critically ill. This session will review common and novel methods of ICU monitoring of the cardiopulmonary systems, as well as some fundamentals of monitoring theory.
PG5 - PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE REVIEWS: BUILT AROUND ABIM 2011 MODULES (UPDATES) IN PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE
Led by expert faculty, some of whom serve on the ABIM, this group learning session is a pulmonary and critical care review designed around the most recent ABIM modules, one in pulmonary (annual update, 10 points) and one in critical care medicine (annual update, 10 points). This will provide ABIM recertifying physicians with a convenient opportunity to complete a set of recertification modules while at the conference and offers a valuable review for clinicians.
PG6 - INCORPORATING ULTRASOUND AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY INTO INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PRACTICE
A growing literature supports the use of ultrasonography and echocardiography to enhance the care of critically ill patients. Ultrasonography and echocardiography are increasingly used by non-radiologist/non-cardiologist practitioners, and training for these techniques is non-uniform. American Thoracic Society members will benefit from a dedicated training in ICU-specific ultrasonography and echocardiography prior to incorporating these technologies in their practice.
PG7 - EPIGENETICS OF LUNG DISEASES
Lung diseases are multifactorial, likely resulting from the interaction between insufficiently studied genetic and environmental factors. Recent evidence suggests that heritable and/or de novo changes in gene expression that occur without alterations in DNA sequence (epigenetic) mediate some environmental effects on lung disease. We will review state-of-the-art approaches to designing and implementing studies of epigenetics in general and in pulmonary/critical care medicine in particular.
PG8 - DIFFICULT CLINICAL PROBLEMS IN PULMONARY INFECTIONS
This course will provide clinicians with a broad overview of the current challenging issues in the management of pulmonary infections including typical bacterial pneumonia, mycobacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections as well as general approaches to infections in the immunocompromised host.
PG9 - THE CELLULAR FOUNDATION OF PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE
The objective of this unique course is to teach fundamental concepts of lung cell biology in a disease-based format that is relevant to pediatric pulmonologists, neonatologists and pediatric intensivists. Key principles -- lung growth and development, cellular structure of the respiratory system, lung injury and repair, and lung immunity and inflammation - will be offered through a case-based lens.
PG10 - SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING AND ASSOCIATED CO-MORBIDITIES IN CHILDREN: FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE
The course will summarize the most relevant issues related to sleep disordered breathing in research and clinical practice in children. Current issues and challenges in the diagnosis and management of pediatric sleep disorders will be discussed. The scientific content includes the understanding of the basic pathophysiology of various common medical disorders and how they impact sleep. The goal will also be to identify and evaluate children at high risk for sleep disorders and discuss strategies for management of these sleep disorders. The adverse consequences of untreated sleep disorders in childhood and the subsequent impact in adulthood will be highlighted.
PG11 - NEW SCIENCE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENT
COPD often has clinically-important systemic manifestations that contribute to its morbidity. Its optimal treatment, which usually requires combining pharmacologic with non-pharmacologic therapies, has changed substantially over the past few years. This course will present this new science interactively using an audience response system. Areas will include the potential usefulness of phenotyping, concept of disease modification, the importance of addressing co-morbidity, recognizing and treating physical inactivity, identifying cognitive issues, preventing and treating the exacerbation, promoting self-efficacy, effective dyspnea management, widening the application of pulmonary rehabilitation to the post-hospitalization period and to less-severe disease, and the use of palliative care in severe disease.
PG12 - CASE-BASED PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST (PFT) INTERPRETATION: THE FOUNDATIONS
Are you confused by PFT reports? At a loss as to where to start with an interpretation? Each PFT topic will be introduced by a patient case and then supplemented by the literature. Using your remote controlled "clicker" to interpret each case, you answer about 100 questions throughout the day. An expert in each topic will explain the evidence or rationale for each right answer or answers. Attendees can read the ATS/ERS PFT guidelines before the class which can be obtained free at www.thoracic.org. Please bring your own cases and all your questions for the faculty.
PG13 - WHAT'S NEW IN OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE?
This course will provide a state of the art review of the links between sleep disordered breathing and cardiovascular disease. Topics to be covered include the pathways by which obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease, the populations at greatest risk, and the clinical implications for patients with common cardiovascular conditions.
PG14 - LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: DEVELOPING SKILLS TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND IMPROVE YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT - DAY #1
The complexity of any work environment necessitates interdisciplinary communication and teamwork allowing richer solutions to challenges and accelerating progress. These competencies apply to almost all jobs. They are often assumed to be present although only rarely taught. This course will begin to develop future leaders in the fields of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. Attendees will learn about and then practice the skills needed to transition from a "first job" to a leadership position in practice/industry/academics. This course will help improve time management skills, productivity and ultimately, job satisfaction.
PG15 - ENHANCING PATIENT CENTERED CARE AND IMPROVING OUTCOMES THROUGH MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING: A HANDS-ON COURSE
All health care professions struggle with helping their patients make positive behavior changes to improve their health, including smoking cessation and adhering to a chronic treatment regimen. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, person-centered strategy to elicit and strengthen motivation to change. The efficacy of MI is supported by high quality empirical evidence in a variety of chronic conditions like tobacco cessation and treatment adherence. This PG course will present examples of how to apply MI in a respiratory care setting and a hands-on introduction to the basic skills of MI by practicing them under the supervision of experienced faculty.
PG16 - THORACIC IMAGING
This course will review the current status of imaging in acute and chronic pulmonary disease, including pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, pleural disease, and diffuse lung disease. The focus will be on helping clinicians understand the role of imaging in dealing with common problems.
PG17 - MANAGEMENT OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE: A CASE-BASED APPROACH
This course reviews the current information and guidelines regarding management of interstitial lung disease. This includes didactic sessions as well as cases presented to a multi-disciplinary group of clinician, radiologist, and pathologist.
PG18 - EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE: MEASUREMENT, MECHANISMS, MODELING AND MANAGEMENT
This course will focus on exciting developments in our understanding of exacerbation of COPD. Recent research has better defined the frequent exacerbator phenotype and the biological mechanisms that predispose to exacerbations. Current state of human and animal models of exacerbation will be discussed. New patient reported outcome tools can accurately assess exacerbations. Optimal use of current therapies is essential to improve the outcome of exacerbations, and several new agents are being developed. Innovative approaches to prevention of exacerbations under investigation will be explored.
PG19 - NOVEL APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATE OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES IN COMMON LUNG DISEASES
Many occupational and environmental lung diseases are unrecognized by clinicians, in part because of the unfamiliarity of the relationship between exposures to environmental hazards and the diseases. Delay in recognizing such a link may adversely affect the patient's prognosis since the patient would continue to be exposed to potentially hazardous toxicants. This PG course will use clinical cases to discuss common pulmonary diseases that may have links to environmental exposures (other than cigarette smoking), but are frequently unrecognized.
PG20 - HOST DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN PULMONARY INFECTION
The respiratory tract is the target of multiple infectious agents. Both innate and acquired defenses exist to protect the normal host. This course will provide a state-of-the-art overview of host defense in the lung, then will examine defense against individual pathogens that commonly cause serious infections. Speakers will provide concise summaries of current investigations, and will discuss therapeutic implications of these findings. Overall, this course will present a bench-to-bedside overview of host defense, and will be educational for both basic scientists and clinicians.
PG21 - THE PHYSIOLOGIC BASIS OF PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES
This course will review the basic physiologic principles underlying a variety of clinical respiratory problems commonly seen. Each talk will use a series of illustrative clinical cases to review and highlight classical physiologic approaches to clinical care and disease management. An interactive format, using questions from the speakers and audience touch pads to give answers will be used to enhance audience participation, and to allow the participant to understand key concepts or to identify areas requiring additional study.
PG22 - UPDATE IN PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NOW
This course will provide a refreshingly new update to the basic and clinical science in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
PG23 - UPDATE ON VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM
VTE affects 108/100,000; with case fatality rate of 15%. One third of the cases are potentially preventable. Despite guidelines, a significant number of patients do not receive adequate thromboprophylaxis. Several new anticoagulants have been introduced and there is lack of clarity amongst physicians on how and when to use them. This course will seek to update the audience on the current guidelines on thromboprophylaxis; review the new anticoagulants and provide direction on how to use the new agents. An update on the management of VTE and guidelines on how to develop and implement a policy will be provided.
PG24 - CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE TESTING (CPET): AN EVIDENCE AND CASE-BASED UPDATE 2012
Experience and competence with the practical and theoretical aspects of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) varies greatly in clinical practice, clinical trials research, and the academic/practice communities. This course will introduce in an evidence based, lecture and keypad interactive case based format, the basic and more advanced physiological concepts, the important differential diagnosis points of single and multi-system diseases, and the current issues involving CPET in recent literature. These lectures will be evidence based and involve important and common clinical vignettes. The lectures will be supplemented with real time audience response and feedback regarding comprehension and demonstration of learning.
PG25 - MASTER PHYSIOLOGY CLASS: COMMON PULMONARY DISEASES FROM A PHYSIOLOGIC PERSPECTIVE
This session will provide a comprehensive review of core principles in respiratory physiology including mechanics, ventilation, perfusion and gas exchange and then examine these concepts in the context of common pulmonary diseases such as obstructive lung disease, neuromuscular disorders, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, pulmonary vascular disease and ARDS.
PG26 - CURRENT AND EMERGING TREATMENTS FOR SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING
This is a day-long postgraduate course during which an expert faculty of researchers, academicians and clinicians at the forefront of the sleep apnea field will review recent developments in SDB treatment and best practices for optimizing care of OSA patients. Therapies including end-expiratory pressure devices, alternative PAP modalities such as assisted servo-ventilation, upper airway exercises, and emerging treatments targeting the hypoglossal nerve and ventilatory control will be discussed. Newer upper airway surgeries and surgical weight loss strategies will be examined. Maximizing adherence to traditional PAP therapies and components of a comprehensive program for optimizing sleep apnea care will be reviewed.
PG27 - MASTERING CLINICAL TEACHING SKILLS FOR PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE
This course will teach fundamental principles in adult learning and practical skills for teaching, including crafting an engaging lecture, fostering critical thinking, using educational technology, and giving effective feedback. The format of the course will rely heavily on interactive sessions, ranging from larger group plenaries involving audience participation to small group interactive workshops. The course will also review key strategies for success as an effective leader and review how to plan a successful career as a clinician-educator. The course includes 2 workshops that will be offered concurrently during 2 sessions, allowing each attendee to attend both workshops.
PG28 - LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: DEVELOPING SKILLS TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND IMPROVE YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT - DAY #2
The complexity of any work environment necessitates interdisciplinary communication and teamwork. These competencies apply to almost all jobs. They are often assumed to be present although only rarely taught. Our course will begin to develop future leaders in the fields of PCCM and sleep medicine. Attendees will learn about and then practice the skills needed to transition from a "first job" to a leadership position. The course will help improve time management skills, productivity and ultimately, job satisfaction. This is Day #2 of a two-day course. It is designed to stand alone but to also complement the Day #1 course.
PG29 - AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY BRONCHOSCOPY COURSE
A didactic and hands-on session to address educational needs of bronchoscopy. Content includes History of Bronchoscopy; Indications and Contraindications; Preparation for Bronchoscopy; Airway Anatomy and Pathologies; Core Diagnostic Techniques; Indications and Pitfalls for Techniques; Transbronchial Needle Aspiration; Lung Cancer Staging Guideline Update; EBUS and EUS; Complications and Management Credentialing and Business Considerations; Quality Improvement Tools. Hands-On Breakouts include the use of Airway Anatomy model with bronchoscopy simulator, TBNA with simulator, EBUS TBNA with Simulator, EBUS TBNA with Models, and Management of Hemoptysis.
