MCE Conferences Primary Care Update: Addiction Medicine, Office Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
August 29 – 31, 2025
Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa – Fernandina Beach, FL

Dates

August 29–31, 2025 · Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, Fernandina Beach, FL

Objectives

• Utilize validated tools to assess and manage concussions (incl. return-to-learn/return-to-play, neuropsych testing, second-impact syndrome).

• Perform appropriate foot/ankle testing and know when to refer; apply accurate exam maneuvers for knee and shoulder pain.

• Screen for and diagnose opioid use disorder (OUD); select evidence-based treatments and the appropriate level of care.

• Initiate buprenorphine (traditional, micro-dosing, macro-dosing) and manage precipitated withdrawal; address chronic pain overlap.

• Screen, diagnose, and treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), including FDA-approved and off-label medications and their indications.

• Identify barriers and prescribe activity using Exercise Rx (FITT-PRO) framework.

• Differentiate tendinopathies and select evidence-based therapies, including indications/risks of injections.

• Manage chronic opioid therapy per the new CDC guideline; recognize patients developing OUD.

• Use and interpret urine drug screens; avoid common pitfalls.

• Understand trends and management of cannabis use/disorder and tobacco/vaping cessation options.

Content (detailed outline)

Friday, Aug 29

• Concussion Update — Dr. Deepak Patel
  Etiology/pathophysiology; assessment tools; return-to-learn/play; neuropsych testing; second-impact syndrome.

• Sports Medicine Exam: Tips & Tricks — Dr. Deepak Patel
  Urgent hand-injury referrals; choosing the most accurate MSK exams; targeted tests for foot/ankle injuries.

• Diagnosis & Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (Part 1) — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  Opioid epidemic overview; screening/diagnosis of OUD; treatment options and level-of-care selection.

• Diagnosis & Treatment of OUD (Part 2) — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  Buprenorphine starts (traditional/micro/macro-dosing); managing precipitated withdrawal; chronic pain interface.

Saturday, Aug 30

• Alcohol Use Disorders: Screening & Treatment — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  AUD screening/diagnosis; FDA-approved & off-label meds; pros/cons and indications.

• Marijuana Use: Trends, Implications & Use Disorder — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  U.S. trends (medical/legal); diagnosing cannabis use disorder; treating co-occurring mental health issues; multimodal care.

• Exercise Rx: What and For Whom? — Dr. Deepak Patel
  Health benefits of activity; building prescriptions with FITT-PRO; addressing implementation barriers.

• Knee Pain: Evaluation & Management — Dr. Deepak Patel
  Key history elements; highest-yield exam tests; evidence-based treatment counseling.

Sunday, Aug 31

• Shoulder Pain: Evaluation & Management — Dr. Deepak Patel
  History to define etiology; best exam maneuvers; evidence-based management.

• Tendinitis: Challenges & Controversies — Dr. Deepak Patel
  Types of tendinopathy; evidence-based treatments; indications/risks of injections.

• Managing Opioid Medications in Primary Care: New CDC Guidelines — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  Key elements of the guideline; compassionate, objective treatment plans; recognizing emerging OUD.

• Use & Interpretation of Urine Drug Screens (30 min) — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  Test types and appropriate use; interpreting results; common pitfalls.

• Tobacco & Vaping: Prevention & Treatment Options (30 min) — Dr. Valerie Carrejo
  Current trends; FDA-approved meds for cessation (incl. vaping); pros/cons and indications.