Preconference Courses

Three dynamic preconference courses are planned to help you learn the latest techniques and earn CME credits at the front end of the Annual Assembly. Courses cover:

• NEW COURSE: Advanced Assessment and Management Skills for Spasticity, Dystonia, and Related Motor Disorders: An Interactive, Hands-On Workshop
• Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for the Physiatrist: A Hands-On Approach
• Coding and Billing Workshop

New Course!

Advanced Assessment and Management Skills for Spasticity, Dystonia, and Related Motor Disorders: An Interactive, Hands-On Workshop

November 18-19: San Diego Marriott Hotel

This workshop will provide attendees with updates on the assessment and treatment of motor disorders commonly seen in physiatric practice, including spasticity, dystonia, and other related conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the practical aspects of managing these conditions instead of the theoretical. A faculty of expert physiatrists and neurologists will lead discussions and interactive sessions focused on teaching and updating skills for injection of botulinum toxins and neurolytic agents such as anesthetics and phenol.

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Compare and contrast spasticity and dystonia

• Describe the various clinical presentations of cervical dystonia

• Enumerate pharmacological options for managing movement disorders commonly seen in physiatric practice

• Describe the role of intrathecalbaclofen therapy in managing spasticity and movement disorders

• List the indications for oral spasmolytic medications and common adverse effects

• Define the role of diagnostic nerve block in spasticity management

• Identify anatomic landmarks for neurolysis of musculocutaneous, obturator, sciatic, and tibial nerves

• Compare and contrast various botulinum toxin serotypes

• Describe the potential role of electrical stimulation and exercise in optimizing benefits from botulinum toxin injections

• Describe various guidance techniques for botulinum toxin injections

• List reasons for suboptimal treatment outcomes following injection of phenol/alcohol and botulinum toxins

• Describe clinical factors that determine need for phenol/alcohol or botulinum toxin

• Describe new information regarding billing of neurolytic and chemodenervation procedures

• Compare and contrast continuous versus bolus intrathecal screening for ITB therapy

• Demonstrate ability to inject various limb and cervical muscles using a simulation model

• Describe the utility of ultrasound guidance in muscle injections

Limited Attendance

Registration for the course is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes a course book, continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, and lunch on Wednesday.

Accreditation

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation of Credit

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 12.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Dress Code

Participants should wear clothing that allows them to serve as “subjects.” Sweat suits, shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops would be appropriate for the hands-on portion of this course.

Course Director

Abraham Alfaro, MD
Gerard E. Francisco, MD

Faculty

Abraham Alfaro, MD

Katharine Alter, MD
Henry Chambers, MD

David Charles, MD
Elie P. Elovic, MD
Alberto Esquenazi, MD
Gerard E. Francisco, MD
Darryl L. Kaelin, MD

John Lin, MD
John R. McGuire, MD
Michael F. Saulino, MD
Geoffrey Sheehan, MD
Michael S. Turner, MD
Thomas K. Watanabe, MD
Stuart A. Yablon, MD

Agenda

Tuesday, November 18

Wednesday, November 19

|Back to top|

Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Physiatrists: New Perspectives From Different Vantage Points

November 19: San Diego Marriott Hotel

This course will serve to provide the clinician with the basic diagnostic ultrasound skills needed to image various musculoskeletal and peripheral neurovascular structures. Through interaction with other medical disciplines, attendees will also learn how diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is shaping the scope of musculoskeletal care.

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Perform a basic diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound examination of the upper and lower limb, via didactic and hands-on techniques

• Explain how diagnostic ultrasound has impacted different clinical disciplines in various musculoskeletal practices

• Explain how ultrasound may be used to guide interventional procedures

Limited Attendance

Registration for the course is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes a course book, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks.

Accreditation

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation of Credit

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Dress Code

Participants should wear clothing that allows them to serve as “subjects.” Sweat suits, shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops would be appropriate for the hands-on portion of this course.

Course Director

Paul H. Lento, MD

Faculty

Marko Bodor, MD

Bradley H. Chesler, MD
Sun Chung, MD, PhD
John Cianca, MD

Jonathan Finnoff, DO

Gary Goldberg, MD
Jonathan S. Halperin, MD
Mark B. Hurdle, MD

Gerard Malanga, MD
Imran Omar, MD
Scott J. Primack, DO
Jeffrey A. Strakowski, MD
Jay Smith, MD

Dean Ziegler, MD

Agenda

Wednesday, November 19

|Back to top|

Coding and Billing Workshop

November 18-19: San Diego Marriott Hotel

This is a PM&R-specific, one and one-half day workshop designed to educate physiatrists, office managers, office staff, and coders on current coding and billing practices. The sessions will focus on correct coding of services and procedures to assist practices in securing appropriate reimbursement for physician and practice services from third party payers and others. This will be achieved through the use of lectures, clinical vignettes, attendee participation, and question and answer sessions.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Properly use the Evaluation and Management codes and Documentation Guidelines

• Distinguish correct coding methods for electrodiagnostic and in-office procedures

• Apply techniques for accurately coding interventional procedures

• Appropriately utilize and apply ICD-9-CM Codes

• Effectively appeal denied insurance claims

Limited Attendance

Registration for this course is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee for this course includes a course book, continental breakfast, refreshments, and lunch on Wednesday.

Accreditation

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation of Credit

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course Director

Joseph P. Zuhosky, MD

Faculty

Joseph P. Zuhosky, MD

William J. Sullivan, MD

Sandra Soerries, CPC, CPC-H

Agenda

Tuesday, November 18

Wednesday, November 19

|Back to top|