2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference ...

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE PREVIEW ISSUE: August 21, 2009Welcome from the EditorJoe Zenel, MDWelcome to AAP ConvergeNCE, formerly known as The AAP Highlight, a news publication that featureseducational sessions and special events at the National Conference and Exhibition (NCE). As you mayremember, the mission of the AAP is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well‐beingfor all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. "To accomplish this mission, the AAP shall supportthe professional needs of its members." For the person fresh out of pediatric residency and the seasonedpractitioner, where else but the NCE can one "rub elbows" with fellow attendees with diversebackgrounds who are private practitioners, policy makers, academicians, researchers, authors,entertainers, administrators and/or business people, all devoted to the welfare of children and youngadults? At the NCE, from CME sessions, through the exhibition and plenary, to the AAP section andbusiness meetings, you can participate in gatherings tailored to meet your specific interests and needs,such as current hot topics, foster care, chronic care, palliative care, obesity, the business of medicine andkeeping up with the medical literature. In this issue we briefly describe examples of the 2009 NCEofferings.Everyone buzzes about hot topics, and for 2009, hot topics include healthcare reform and genetic testing.Will the current health care reform include ensuring our children's success? At the keynote address, AlmaPowell will offer her insight into partnering for advocating for children. Now that we have decoded thehuman body, what can we do with the information? Tina Cheng, MD, FAAP will describe four categories ofgenetic testing and their impact we practitioners will face in the near future.Perhaps the hottest topic at the NCE is the novel H1N1 virus pandemic, which continues to spreaduninterrupted this summer. What will be the H1N1 pandemic status come fall 2009? Will we be able tocope with H1N1 in the school, the clinic, the emergency room and the ward? The AAP NCE is addingsessions on the H1N1 virus to address these concerns as well as answer questions on H1N1 vaccine,prevention and therapy. Not caught up on the latest on H1N1? That is no surprise; new updates areannounced every few days from the CDC. On October 20, the session, "Pandemic Influenza H1N1:Epidemiology, Treatment, and Prevention" promises to give you the latest information. In the session"Pediatric Emergency Readiness and Pandemic Influenza H1N1," Steven Krug, MD, FAAP, and DavidSchonfeld, MD, FAAP, representing the Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council and the NationalCommission on Children and Disasters, will discuss how best to prepare your community for H1N1'sarrival. On October 19, the Council on School Health will host a panel discussion on "H1N1 Response inNew York City Schools," giving tips on preparing your school district for the H1N1 invasion. And for all ofus in clinical medicine large and small who are concerned about the pandemic's impact on the day‐by‐daymanagement and the present economic hardship of the office practice there is "Managing Seasonal andH1N1 Influenza in the Pediatric Practice," as a topic in the newly scheduled session, "Pediatric PracticeManagers Program: Transforming Your Practice," on October 16. This 3.5‐hour session, sponsored by thePediatric Practice Managers Association and the Section on Administration and Practice Management, willprovide blueprints for guaranteeing a successful practice that efficiently cares for patients with H1N1infection.Many events make up the NCE. Take a glance at AAP ConvergeNCE, plan your itinerary, and come join usat the AAP NCE in Washington, DC this October. We look forward to seeing you.

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE PREVIEW ISSUE: September 11, 2009Commentary: Location, Location, LocationJoe Zenel, MDAs the 2009 AAP National Conference and Exhibition fast approaches, two medical issues increasinglygarner media attention: health care reform and H1N1.Is it fate that Washington, DC, is this year's host for the AAP NCE? As Democrats, Republicans,independents, lobbyists, union members, economists and other interested parties debate mandatoryhealth care, insurance cooperatives, the public option and the possible expansion of Medicare, isn't itfortuitous that we pediatricians will be in DC, our very presence reminding legislators that the health ofour children is central to health care reform? What will be our nation's stand on this issue come lateOctober? The NCE offers many opportunities to hear where health care reform is heading.Washington, DC, is also the place where almost daily the Department of Health and Human Servicesreleases new information on the H1N1 pandemic. Facts, policies and opinions keep changing, and againthe NCE offers many opportunities to hear where H1N1 management is heading.These are just two very exciting topics at the NCE; remember the NCE is about all pediatric issues. Checkout the session on introducing new foods to the infant. What's that again, rice cereal is not the first newfood to introduce?

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE DAILY, DAY 1 ISSUE: October 17, 2009From the Editor: The Great Diversity of the AAP 2009 NCEJoe Zenel, MDAs one of the founders of the Constitution of the United States, James Madison, penned in 1834,"The Constitution of the United States was not, like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom, the offspring of asingle brain." It ought to be regarded as the work of many heads and many hands. And so should the AAP2009 National Conference & Exhibition, where pediatricians from many disciplines assembled to create aneducational experience for you."When entering the halls of the Washington Convention Center, take a look and note the many differentbackgrounds and ages of people around you. Bustling crowds of pediatricians, nurses, children, medicalstudents and residents quickly choose their sessions and head out in all directions. Some stop to greeteach other, some answer emails at the Internet Cafe, everyone is intent to make the most of the NCE, anAAP event "committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental and social well‐being for all infants,children, adolescents and young adults." For residents it is a chance to pursue those ACGMEcompetencies of patient care, medical knowledge, problem‐based learning and improvement andsystems‐based practice (where else can you see so many health care systems at once but at the exhibithall?) For practicing pediatricians, the NCE is a chance to earn some CME, see what industry is up to, andperhaps find ways to fine‐tune their practices. And for advocates and researchers, it is a chance toexchange ideas and tips for making change.Today offers many educational and political opportunities in the various seminars, workshops, exhibitsand section meetings but make sure to take the time to go to the plenary session and sit with thethousands of fellow attendees celebrating pediatrics. Hear our AAP president, David Tayloe, speak on theAAP's efforts to improve the health of children and our keynote speaker, Alma Powell, discuss five keypromises necessary for our children's success.Yes the NCE is professionally rejuvenating and worth every minute spent in the convention center, but wecannot be all work and no play. Embrace the child in you and visit D.C. Enjoy our culture by visiting themuseums at the Smithsonian, glimpse our government at the White House and the Capitol, and walkthrough the many memorials to people who gave so much for our future. Have fun!

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE DAILY, DAY 2 ISSUE: October 18, 2009From the Editor: Warm Up with NCE SessionsJoe Zenel, MDWelcome to NCE Day 2. The weather may not be great, but today's NCE sessions promise to make yourvisit to DC worthwhile. This morning, the plenary session continues the theme of honoring our PediatricHeroes, followed by presentations addressing optimal use of electronic health records, health care reform,federal advocacy and the ultimate goal — establishing universal access to care. These talks should inspireus all to continue our roles as Pediatric Heroes.If you are unsure which CME sessions to attend, today's ConvergeNCE offers CME highlights andsuggestions for complementing office practice, such as ways to perform safe office‐based surgery, toevaluate neck and shoulder injuries, to address vaccine concerns and to assure quality improvement (animportant aspect of maintenance of pediatrics board of certification).H1N1 infections are on the rise, and public reaction to antiviral measures is also increasing. An earlyMonday morning session will offer ways to manage antiviral therapy. "When Puberty is Too Early or TooLate" will answer that daily question at the office, "Is my child developing too early (or too late)?"For me, the session "Hiring Generation X and Y: What Do They Really Want?" covers several of my favoritetopics, learning how to work with newly trained pediatricians and how to understand differentgenerational values. Far out!Please remember the AAP Presidential Reception in the Exhibit Hall tonight. Come meet the AAPleadership, Pediatric Heroes and NCE faculty, and enjoy the complimentary food and drinks. And whileroaming around, grab the chance for even more CME and advocacy advice. Several NCE faculty will beavailable in the AAP Resource Center at the "Meet the Faculty" booth during exhibit hours and at thePresident's Reception Sunday evening, including former Assistant U.S. Surgeon General, Woodie Kessel,MD, MPH, FAAP, (on health care reform) and Carole Jenny, MD, MBA, FAAP (medical neglect/child abuse).Visit Dr Jenny for a free copy of the AAP CD‐ROM, "Preventing Sexual Violence: An Educational Toolkit forHealthcare Providers." This practical new video shows doctors how to talk to patients and parents aboutsexual violence prevention, and also includes clinical, community and practice management resources andpatient education materials.And if you appreciate today's events, take time to thank the exhibitors for helping to make the NCE thesuccess that it is.

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE DAILY, DAY 3 ISSUE: October 19, 2009From the Editor: The NCE UmbrellaJoe Zenel, MDAt Pediatrics for the 21st Century, Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, FAAP, spoke of the "Power of You." At the firstplenary, Alma Powell spoke of the "Power of We," in which we enable a world that lets us answer theMaasai greeting, "How are your children?" with "Our children are well."Today, Day 3 of the NCE, you (and we) are taking precious time away from generating RVUs, dictatingcharts (or keyboarding EHRs), teaching students and residents and writing grants to pursue your (and our)particular interests for making children well.The plenary offers a potpourri of clinical subjects that should keep your attention: obesity, the short gutsyndrome, the proper preparticipation physical examination, cutting‐edge magnetic resonance imagingand how the genetics revolution will affect primary care. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will give us hisview on bullying and violence, spurring us to create the aggression‐free environment.The workshops and seminars continue to return your investment of time. "Breastfeeding as GoodBusiness" and "Breastfeeding Support Skills" should make both adults and infants happy. "OfficeSedation" and "Office Preparedness for the Critically Ill Child" will discuss how best to treat children aboutto undergo painful procedures and children who suddenly arrive at your office in severe, life‐threateningdistress.A great question for third‐year medical students on the first day of their pediatric clerkships is, "What isthe most common bacterial infection in children?" (dental caries). The session "Oral Health" will exploreways to provide all children access to dental care. At the AAP Grand Rounds session, the speaker stressedthat syncope with exercise puts a child at risk for long QT syndrome. "Exercise Recommendations forChildren with Heart Disease" will cover what to do for these at‐risk children.Although it may not look as flashy as on the first day, be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall one last time. Ourexhibitors do provide a valuable service to all of us who take care of children. Besides, the plush carpetsare a pleasure for tired feet.One final note, kudos to the people who used ConvergeNCE as an umbrella. Our attendees … soinnovative, yet practical!

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE DAILY, DAY 4 ISSUE: October 20, 2009From the Editor: Up, Up and Away!Joe Zenel, MDHey, Pediatric Heroes… Here we are at Day 4 of the NCE, a day that promises to be an action‐packed finale.The word "impact" will pop up many times at the plenary; such as the impact of brain development in thefields of neuroscience and child psychiatry, and the impact of parasitic infections on children's health indeveloping areas of the world. At the 2009 Christopherson Lecture, Susan Niermeyer, MD, FAAP, will talkabout the AAP's global impact on helping babies breathe at birth. And for the grand finale, a rousingplenary devoted to H1N1, a topic we see posted in every public building and highlighted in just aboutevery news report. Joseph Bocchini Jr., MD, FAAP, of the Red Book Committee, will review the currentepidemiology of the pandemic influenza and look at the potential impact of antiviral treatment andimmunization measures.Following the plenary, answer the call to all heroes and dash to the 2009 Pediatric Bowl where threejustice league teams – Children's National Medical Center/George Washington University, Inova FairfaxHospital for Children and National Capital Consortium (Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval/Military) – willduke it out for supremacy. Who will win and have their name engraved on our hallowed trophy (theMeconium Cup)? Ooh, the suspense!Seminars and workshops will continue throughout the day touching on relevant subjects. One session willhelp answer the frequently asked, "Is my child too short?" and another session will answer, "Is autism theresult of problems in the gut?" Aren't you curious about the wide spectrum of newborn withdrawal frommaternal drugs or the increased risk for health complications in the late preterm infant? For thoseclinicians willing to accept Sherlock Holmes' challenge, "You see but do not observe," there is VisualDiagnosis (A4052, A4077) this afternoon.NCE 2009 has registered the highest attendance – 12,002 – in its event history. Many people work behindthe scenes to make these four days educational and enjoyable, from the faculty who are selected basedon your reviews, to the computer gurus who "program" each lecture room, to the red‐vested people whofix unexpected session glitches, and finally the AAP staff (they will not let me name them, Tori Davis,Theresa Woike and Jared Cohen) who tirelessly work from pre‐dawn to post‐dusk to make this an"experieNCE." All of us at the AAP thank you for risking H1N1 exposure, coming to DC and getting wet,being the pediatric hero that you are and protecting children all over the world.I hope to see you next year in San Francisco where we will climb to new heights.

2009 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, Washington, DCCONFERENCE POST ISSUE: November 25, 2009From the Editor: Time for Follow‐upJoe Zenel, MDThe AAP 2009 National Conference of Exhibition (NCE) achieved the highest attendance ever in its history.Overall, attendees were pleased with the daily plenaries, the variety of workshops and seminars, theexhibit hall, the section meetings, the social events and the opportunities for "networking" withcolleagues. But was the AAP 2009 NCE a success?Continuing medical education (CME) is basically defined as a broad spectrum of secondary or post‐trainingactivities that help us, as medical practitioners, maintain competence and learn about new anddeveloping areas in our areas of practice. Current medical education literature measures the effectivenessor success of CME by documenting improvement in professional performance. To achieve improvement,CME participants must be committed to change. So, in the words of the staff at AAP ConvergeNCE, I askyou, "At the NCE, what did you learn, what did you retain, what will you do in your practice now thatyou're back?" CME proponents query, "Are you dedicated to Commitment to Change (CTC)?" After yourecorded your CME credits for the events you attended, did you file your 2009 NCE paraphernalia intoyour memorabilia stash or did you review your notes and handouts and/or discuss what you witnessedwith fellow students, nurses, pediatricians and business administrators, and implement change? Or wereyou understandably sidetracked by the H1N1 second wave upon returning to your practice andsubsequently placed all post‐NCE related activities on hold? No matter what your answer, this issue ofAAP Convergence comes to you intent on reinforcing some highlights, recalling some favorableexperiences or perhaps reminding you what you may not know.H1N1, global neonatal resuscitation, inexpensive measures to eradicate parasitic infections in developingareas of the world, toy‐related injuries, obesity, autism, tonsillectomies, anesthesia and pediatricianshelping children throughout the world are topics discussed in this issue and should trigger you to reflecton what you do, how effective you are at your job and whether you want to make a change. Similar to youchecking on a patient's status a few days after hospital discharge, AAP ConvergeNCE is performing a "CMEfollow‐up."Today, pediatric residents and fellows must develop competencies in cognitive and behavioral skills. Onemajor competency is "practice‐based learning and improvement." Are you modeling the very behavior weexpect from our pediatricians‐in‐training? Did you pursue practice‐based learning at the NCE? If the AAP2009 NCE helped your professional career, then yes the conference was a success. But like our residents,we too seek to improve. The AAP wants to make sure we met your needs and whether there is a way tobetter provide CME. Please e‐mail us at nce@aap.org or weigh in through the new electronic evaluationform.Freud once said we are here to work and to play. Today's AAP ConvergeNCE also features some of the funevents at the NCE. All of us behind the NCE scenes hope we helped create an entertaining environmentconducive to learning. Again, please let us know how we did. We are committed to change and with yourinput we plan to have an even more successful AAP 2010 NCE in San Francisco.