Rheumatology and Pharmacology for Primary Care
Apr 02, 2026 – Apr 04, 2026
San Diego - Paradise Point Resort & Spa
This program includes 2.0 hours of content intended to meet the MATE Act requirements.
In addition to its idyllic year-round temperatures and 70 miles of pristine coastline, San Diego showcases many popular attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Some of these include: Sea World San Diego, LEGOLAND California, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Cabrillo National Monument, Balboa Park, and many historic parks and museums. Visit the famous beaches of La Jolla and watch the Sea Lions sun bathing or root for the home team at the Padres stadium downtown. Boasting a citywide population of more than 1.3 million, San Diego is California’s second largest city, and has aptly earned its nickname as “America’s Finest City”. Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of a beachside retreat with all the amenities of a major metropolis, but with less hustle and bustle.
Tuition Discount
Past Attendees Save $50: Past MCE Conferences attendees (within the previous three years) automatically receive a $50 discount at checkout.
Bring a Friend or Colleague and Save $50: If you are attending with another healthcare professional you are eligible for a $50 discount.
Overview & Agenda
Rheumatology and Pharmacology for Primary Care
12 Credits
This program includes 2.0 hours of content intended to meet the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act requirements for DEA license renewal.
Overview
This conference is designed to provide primary care practitioners with up-to-date, evidence-based information on commonly encountered issues in Rheumatology and Pharmacology, while suggesting pragmatic approaches to clinical management. The discussion-based format of the conference will encourage audience participation through dynamic lectures, case-based studies, and hands-on workshops. Keynote speakers will present and critically assess recent advancements and industry updates in Rheumatology and Pharmacology to enhance the knowledge-base and core competence of attendees. The successful completion of this interactive program diagnosing, treating, and prescribing the most effective courses of treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.
Target Audience
All Physicians and other Healthcare Professionals seeking clinical information about issues in Rheumatology and Pharmacology.
Speakers
Our presenting national faculty speakers make it their professional goals to enhance the training of primary care clinicians. This Continuing Medical Education program promises to help you learn the most current, best medicine, and techniques for making the diagnosis easier during a 20 minute office visit.
Schedule
Thursday, April 2nd
Primary Care Approach to Inflammatory Arthritis
Objectives: 1) Review the differential diagnoses when confronted with a patient who has joint inflammation and discuss various treatment alternatives 2) Identify the various lab tests that we use and how to best interpret them
Osteoporosis
Objectives: 1) Review the diagnosis, secondary causes, and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) to assist with diagnosing and up-to-date treatment 2) Review dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and their interpretation
Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids: A Regulatory Perspective
Objectives: 1) Describe evolving opioid prescribing and regulatory practices in the United States 2) Discuss recently released opioid prescribing guidelines, while highlighting the relevance to primary care providers 3) Determine best practices for managing patients with chronic nonmalignant pain, while highlighting guidance from a regulatory perspective 4) Discuss cases, investigations, and licensure outcomes involving prescribers and opioids to identify practice improvement opportunities
Medical Management of Common Substance Use Disorders
Objectives: 1) Explore evidence-based treatment approaches for substance use disorders 2) Discuss strategies to fully engage patients and their families in the process, including shared decision-making and building trust 3) Gain insight into pharmacotherapeutic treatments, including their mechanisms of action, risks, and benefits, as well as relevant psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions
Friday, April 3rd
Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult
Objectives: 1) Discuss key physiologic and pathophysiologic changes of aging that impact drug therapy 2) Apply age-sensitive principles for medication dosing and management to patient scenarios 3) List nine key questions useful for identifying and managing inappropriate polypharmacy, such as unnecessary medication use in older adults
Best Practices in Chronic Kidney Disease: Highlights from Latest Guidelines and Expert Recommendations
Objectives: 1) Describe the latest evidence and expert consensus guidance for the evaluation and risk assessment of individuals with CKD 2) Discuss medications used to delay CKD progression and manage its complications, including mechanism, safety, tolerability and efficacy, price, and simplicity of use 3) Review strategies to identify and manage cardiovascular risk in individuals with CKD 4) Summarize key recommendations for primary care in the evaluation, prevention, and management of CKD
Osteoarthritis
Objectives: 1) Review the diagnosis of the most common arthritis we see 2) Discuss treatment and new drugs on the horizon, including case reports
Crystal-Induced Arthritis
Objectives: 1) Identify how to evaluate and treat patients who present with what appears to be a crystal-induced arthritis diagnosis 2) Discuss treatments, including joint aspiration, synovial fluid analysis, and dietary considerations
Saturday, April 4th
Common Rheumatic Diseases in the Primary Care Office
Objective: 1) Apply the principles from previous lectures and discuss treatment of rheumatic diseases in a case presentation format
Fibromyalgia
Objectives: 1) Review this challenging diagnosis 2) Describe approved therapies, as well as additional nonclassical therapies that are used 3) Review the newer diagnostic criteria and compare it to the older one
Optimizing Psychopharmacotherapy in Depression: Clinical Cases
Objectives: 1) Discuss pharmacologic management options within clinical cases of patients with depression 2) Relate physiologic and pathophysiologic alterations of brain neurochemistry to symptoms of depression, including the genetic link and molecular basis of injury 3) Apply clinical practice guidelines for antidepressant therapies 4) Identify key parameters for medications used to treat mechanism, safety, tolerability, efficacy, cost, and simplicity of use
Managing Anxiety and Sleep Disorders: Drug and Non-Pharmacologic Considerations
Objectives: 1) Describe signs and symptoms of common sleep disorders and anxiety disorders with a focus on older adults 2) Discuss common anxiety disorders, including the neurobiological basis of disease, clinical presentation, assessment, and approach to treatment 3) Recognize evidence-based treatments for insomnia and common anxiety disorders, including lifestyle, behavioral, and pharmacologic interventions 4) Identify key parameters that warrant referral to specialty care for individuals with insomnia and/or anxiety disorders
Please Note: Content is subject to change without notice. Please refer to this activity website for the most current information.
Program Schedule
Date
Location
Description
Time
April 2, 2026
Mission Bay Room
Conference - Day 1
Snacks for Registered Attendees
Check-In Opens at 1:15 PM
1:30 PM - 5:50 PM
April 3, 2026
Mission Bay Room
Conference - Day 2
Breakfast for Registered Attendees
7:30 AM - 11:50 AM
April 4, 2026
Mission Bay Room
Conference - Day 3
Breakfast for Registered Attendees
7:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education – ACCME
MCE Conferences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
MCE Conferences designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ABIM MOC Recognition
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 12 (part II) MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
American Academy of Family Physicians – AAFP
MCE Conferences continuing medical education programs are organized by primary care healthcare professionals who are leaders in their field, and MCE Conferences plans to apply for American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) credit for all of its courses prior to the program date.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada – CFPC
The AAFP and the CFPC have a bilateral reciprocal certification agreement whereby: CME/CPD activities held across the Canada – U.S. border are certified according to the nationality of the primary target audiences regardless of where the providers are located. CFPC members who complete any CME/CPD activity certified by the AAFP for Prescribed credit can claim the equivalent number of Mainpro+ Certified or Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits.
American Osteopathic Association – AOA
The AOA automatically recognizes AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as AOA Category 2 credit.
American Nurses Credentialing Center – ANCC
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for recertification and continuing education credits. One AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is equivalent to one contact hour for registered nurses or one advanced practice CNE for nurse practitioners.
Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certified Program (AANPCP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Physician Assistants
PAs may claim a maximum of 12 Category 1 credits for completing this activity. NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.
Pharmacology Credits
This course is being reviewed and will be acceptable for up to 12 CME credits; please verify with your Medical Board which hours may be applied toward Pharmacology credit.
Hotel Accommodations
Lodging Reservations -To make your lodging reservation, please Click Here (Reservation Link Coming Soon!). If you need assistance, please contact our office at info@mceconferences.com.
Please note: Room categories are based on availability at the time of request.
Accommodations – Paradise Point and its amenities offer a unique San Diego resort experience for both families and couples with a location that is secluded, yet centrally situated; the airport, downtown San Diego and top attractions including Old Town, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park are all just minutes away from our Mission Bay shores.
- Lanai Garden View Guestroom – $299 + $10RF = $309 Per Room Per Night Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees
- The most popular room type at our San Diego resort is the intimate 460 square-foot Lanai guest room, offering garden views and patios that lead straight into the natural beauty of these surrounding outdoor areas. Lanai guestrooms have several options for connecting rooms.
- One queen/one king or two queen beds available with rooms from 460sqft.
- Lanai Garden Premium Guestroom – $309 + $10RF = $319 Per Room Per Night Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees
- Upgrade your Lanai guestroom experience with this popular room type. Rooms may include a walk-in closet, preferred location, and/or lagoon view in a luxurious room nestled among the San Diego resort’s lush landscaping. Patio with Resort Garden OR Lagoon Views.
- One king or two queen beds available with rooms from 460sqft
- Lanai Bayside Guestroom – $599+ $10RF = $609 Per Room Per Night Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees
- Upgrade your Lanai guestroom to a Bayside room with a Bayfront Patio Steps from the Sand.
- One king or two queen beds available with rooms from 460sqft
- Garden Junior Suite – $599+ $10RF = $609 Per Room Per Night Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees
- Upgrade your stay to a Garden Junior Suite hosting One King Bed & a Sofa Sleeper with a Garden View Patio, Dining Area, and Wet Bar. Rooms may include a walk-in closet, preferred location, and/or lagoon view in a luxurious room nestled among the San Diego resort’s lush landscaping. Patio with Resort Garden OR Lagoon Views.
- One king with rooms from 550sqft
Guestrooms have a maximum occupancy of four (4) adults per room.
Additional Lodging Information –
Resort Fee: INCLUDED WITHIN THE GROUP RATES ABOVE AND NOT IN ADDITION TO: There is a daily Resort Amenities Fee discounted for group attendees staying within the group block at $10.00 per room per night (Generally $44.00 per room, per night), plus California Tourism Assessment Fee (which is currently 0.4% per room, per night, plus applicable taxes which are currently 12.4%), which includes: High-speed wireless and hard-wired Internet access in guest rooms, domestic phone calls in guest rooms, unlimited access to Fitness Center, Putting Course, Basketball, Tennis, Ping Pong, Croquet, Horseshoes, and Bocce Ball. (Amenities subject to change based on Resort’s policy)
Taxes and Fees: Group rates above are subject to tax which is currently 12.75%, applicable California Tourism Assessment Fee, which is currently 0.3%, and the San Diego Tourism District Assessment, which is currently 2% (tax is subject to change).There is an additional per person charge of $20.00 per night for each adult (18yrs and older) over two (2) per room/double occupancy.
Check-in/Check-out: Check-in is after 4:00 p.m. and Check-out is before 11:00 a.m.
Parking: MCE attendees staying overnight will receive discounted overnight parking of $10.00 per car, per night (valued at $46.00 per car, per night). There will be complimentary Parking for all-day guests to accommodate conference hours.
Lodging Deposit – A credit card will be required to secure a room within the group block, with the remaining balance charged upon arrival.
Lodging Cancellations – Terms and conditions as per MCE’s room allotment agreement with conference lodging venue:
- Cancellation made 31 days or more prior to arrival: A full refund will be issued.
- Cancellation 30 days or less prior to arrival: No refunds will be issued.
- No-shows and early departures are considered a cancellation: No refunds will be issued.
All lodging cancellations must be made directly with the lodging venue. Please refer to your lodging confirmation for contact information and policies.
Register & Book Your Lodging Early! The MCE reduced room rates will be available to registered attendees up until February 23, 2026 (based on availability). Our allotment for reduced room rates may sell out before this date. We urge you to secure your lodging reservation as early as possible. Reduced rates will also be offered for 3 nights pre and post-program dates (based on availability).
Room Reservation Guidelines – The lodging reservation link has been created for the MCE Conference continuing medical education program, and only guests that are registered for this CME conference are eligible to use this site in order to access discounted rooms and/or theme park tickets (if applicable).
- Attendees must register within (7) seven days of booking MCE discounted lodging to avoid cancellations or increased nightly rates (depending on Hotel/Resort policy).
- We allow a maximum of 2 room reservations per registered attendee, based on availability and rates at the time of booking.
- Rooms and/or tickets (if applicable) cannot be purchased for the purpose of, or with the intention of being resold.
- All reservations must be made under the registered attendee’s name, as all reservations and ticket orders (if applicable) will be audited against the CME program registration list. Should it be necessary, we reserve the right to contact you to request proof of registration. If it is discovered that the reservation and/or ticket order is not for an MCE Conferences participant, the reservations and/or ticket order may be canceled or modified based on the Hotel/Resort policy, and deposits may not be eligible for a refund.
Please note: In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the number of registrations per conference.
Additional Travel Information
Airport Information – For transportation planning assistance, please call Instant Service at 858-274-4630.
- San Diego International (Lindbergh Field) Airport – 10 minutes from hotel.
- Carlsbad (McClellan – Palomar) Airport – 50 minutes from hotel
Car Rental – To make your discounted car rental reservation, please click on the following links (please note: car rental company availability may differ based on airport/ destination)
- AVIS – Click Here and enter G028287 in the “AWD Number” box to receive the Group Discount.
- Budget – Click Here
- Enterprise – Click Here and enter XZB6145 to receive the Group Discount.
- Hertz – Click Here and check the “Enter a Discount or Promo Code” and “I am a Corporate Customer” boxes. Enter 2086989 in the “Discount/CDP/Club Code” box to receive the Group Discount.
- National – Click Here and enter XZB6145 under Contract ID to receive Group Discount.
Other Upcoming Conferences
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What Are You Waiting For?
Register Early! In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the amount of registrations per conference. Some conferences may have a lower registration limit due to the destination logistics and lodging availability.