This course will examine the scope of the problem, from epidemiology and physiology to psychological and anatomical considerations. Common culprits will be discussed, including endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, vulvodynia and vestibulitis.  The interdisciplinary faculty panel will explore management through musculoskeletal evaluation, physical therapy and pain anesthesia.  Medical and surgical treatment options will be presented.  Participants are encouraged to bring their “tough cases” to discuss with the faculty at the conclusion of the conference.  Attendees of this CME activity will gain a better insight of the various modalities available for managing patients with chronic pelvic pain.

Target Audience
This CME activity has been designed for physicians in Gynecology, Urology, Family Practice and other health care providers with an interest in chronic pelvic pain and women’s health.

Upon completion of this educational activity, each participant should be able to:

• Differentiate the basic physiologic, psychologic and neurologic causes of chronic pelvic pain. This should improve patient care by allowing a more focused approach to obtaining a diagnosis.

• Identify patients with endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, vulvodynia and vestibulitis, which should improve patient outcomes by permitting targeted testing and treatments.

• Integrate a musculoskeletal evaluation into their patient workup, which should improve patient outcomes by treating the myofascial components of the conditions which cause chronic pelvic pain.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010 – Evaluation

7:00 am     Sign-In and Breakfast 

7:30 am     Announcements and Course Overview 

7:45 am     Epidemiology: The Scope of the Problem 

8:30 am     Basic Template for Chronic Pelvic Pain History

9:15 am     Neurotransmitters 101 

10:00 am   Refreshment Break

10:15 am   Embryology and Neuro-Anatomy of the Pelvis 

11:00 am   Psychology of Chronic Pelvic Pain 

11:45 am   Wrap-Up with Q&A

12:00 pm   Adjourn for Leisure Activities (boxed lunch to go)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010 - Chronic Pain Conditions

7:00 am     Sign-In and Breakfast 

7:15 am     Daily Overview 

7:30 am     Taming the Angry Nociceptor: Pain Pharmacology 

8:15 am     Endometriosis

8:45 am     Irritable Bowel Syndrome

9:15 am     Interstitial Cystitis

9:45 am     Vulvodynia and Vestibulitis

10:30 am   Refreshment Break

10:45 am   Functional Anatomical Considerations 

11:30 am   Pudendal and Other Pelvic Floor Neuralgias

12:00 pm   Pre-operative, Post-operative and Other Surgical Considerations

12:30 pm   Wrap-Up with Q&A 

12:45 pm   Adjourn for Leisure Activities (boxed lunch to go)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009 – Therapy

7:00 am    Sign-In and Breakfast

7:15 am     Daily Overview 

7:30 am     Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Interventions for Chronic Pelvic Pain

8:15 am     Below the Belt: Injections for Chronic Pelvic Pain 

9:00 am     Surgical Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain

9:45 am     Refreshment Break

10:00 am   What to Do When All Else Fails and How to Handle “The Difficult Patient”

11:00 am   Coding for Care of Chronic Pelvic Pain Patients  

11:45 pm   Ask the Experts: Bring Your Tough Cases!  

12:30 pm   Wrap-Up with Final Q&A 

12:45 pm   Workshop Adjourns (lunch on your own)

Instructors have been selected for their outstanding teaching abilities and extensive clinical experience with the medical conditions and treatment modalities that will be presented at this conference.

Conference Director
Georgine Lamvu, MD, MPH - Assistant Director, Dept. of Ob/Gyn and Family Practice Residency, Florida Hospital (Orlando, FL)

Scientific Chair
Jennifer Keehbauch, MD, FAAFP - Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, Loma Linda Medical School (Loma Linda, CA); Director, Family Medicine Residency, Florida Hospital (Orlando, FL); Director, Women's Health Fellowship, Florida Hospital (Orlando, FL)

Additional Conference Faculty
Liza Marie Colimon, MD - Fellow, Advanced Gynecologic Disorders & Minimally Invasive Surgery, Florida Hospital (Orlando, FL); Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ob/Gyn, University of Central Florida College of Medicine (Orlando, FL)

Anne Marie Fras, MD - Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Management, Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)

Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS, BCIA-PMBD - Senior Physical Therapist, Dept. of Physical & Occupational Therapy, Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)

Michael Kennelly, MD - Director, Charlotte Continence Center (Charlotte, NC); Director, Dept. of Urology, Carolinas Rehabilitation (Charlotte, NC); Clinical Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)

Craig Sobolewski, MD - Assistant Clinical Professor; Chief, Division of Gynecologic Specialties; Director, Endoscopic Surgery Education, Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)

Faculty Disclosure
IMET has a policy that requires course faculty to disclose any financial interests, arrangements or affiliations with manufacturers of commercial products and/or services, which may be discussed at this activity. It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations; they are simply provided to fully inform participants. Faculty financial disclosures are on file at IMET and full disclosure of faculty relationships will be made at the conference.

IMET makes every effort to resolve any potential conflicts of interest for all individuals involved in the planning and implementation of this CME activity.   The content of this CME activity was planned to be balanced, objective, and scientifically rigorous. Occasionally, faculty may express opinions that represent their own viewpoint. Conclusions drawn by participants should be derived from objective analysis of scientific data. IMET has informed all faculty that if any presentations include discussion of off-label or investigational use of a commercial product, therapy or medical device, full disclosure must be made to the course participants.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas & Elements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the sponsorship of Innovations in Medical Education & Training (IMET). IMET is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. IMET designates this educational activity for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity, A Practical Approach to the Multidisciplinary Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain, with a beginning date of November 4, 2010, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 14.00 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has assigned 14 Cognates to this educational activity.

Note: Successful completion of this educational activity is not recognized as certifying competence for performance of these procedures by most credentialing bodies. Privileges and ascertaining skill level are the responsibility of your local hospital and/or licensing authority.

Standard Registration Fee:  $1195 USD

Early Bird Registration Fee: $895 USD - Register by Early Bird Deadline & SAVE $500 (Promo Code: EARLYBIRD)

Resident/Physician Assistant Fee:  $695 USD - Proof of Resident Status Required (Promo Code: RESIDENT) 

Your registration payment entitles you to participation in all lecture sessions and scheduled meals.  Syllabus materials will be provided on a reusable USB Flash Drive only (with slide presentations in PDF format) in order to lessen our environmental impact and reduce paper waste.

Registration Policies: Payment in full is required to guarantee your space in this workshop. Registrations are processed on a first-come/first-served basis and confirmation will be sent upon receipt of paid registration. All fees are quoted and payable in US dollars.  Payment by check must be drawn on a US bank. It is recommended that you do not book airline tickets until you receive email confirmation of your registration. Registration deadline is indicated above. Registrations received after this date will be accepted only on a space-available basis.

Refunds/Cancellations: All cancellations and requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than 3 weeks prior to course start date. Cancellations received by this deadline will be refunded less a cancellation fee of $150. No refunds will be issued after this date. Should unforeseen circumstances cause the cancellation of this course, all registrants will be notified and reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule the event as soon as possible.

This activity may be supported by unrestricted educational grants from commercial sources.   Any grants received will be disclosed to the participants according to the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support. All grants are provided with the understanding that the supporter will not exert any influence on the content or educational development of this activity as a condition of the gift; nor will they take, or have taken any role in the selection of topics, speakers, or audience for this activity. This activity is for educational purposes and not for the purpose of promoting any product.   Promotional activities will not be allowed in the meeting room and this activity will be presented with objectivity and balance.

Commercial supporters may have representatives on hand to answer questions you may have related to their therapies, products, and/or technology. We encourage you to talk with these representatives during the scheduled break sessions to obtain information that can be a valuable resource to your practice.

All participants must complete an on-line course evaluation at the conclusion of this CME activity.  This information is reviewed by IMET and is used to modify/improve course content, should IMET decide to present this activity again.  Participants are asked to identify the changes they intend to make in their clinical practice as a result of their participation in this CME activity. Three to six months following the activity, IMET will survey the participants to verify whether or not such changes have taken place (if not, why not), and what impact, if any, such changes have had on their patient care.  This additional feedback allows IMET to tailor future CME activities to meet any remaining educational gaps the learners may have related to the content of this activity.  A link to the on-line course evaluation will be available here at the conclusion of this CME activity.

All conference events will be held at the Atlantis, Casino Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

www.atlantis.com

Discounted Room Rates, Taxes and Fees

IMET has negotiated the following discounted hotel room rates for conference attendees:

Rates are available through 10/11/2010.

Beach Tower: $175 USD per night plus taxes & fees

Royal Tower: $219 USD per night plus taxes & fees

• Based on single/double occupancy. Maximum occupancy, 4 people plus 1 child age 4 or younger.

• Additional Adult Room Rate: $50 per adult per night.  (Adult = age 12 and older.)

• Taxes: 6% room tax, 6% tourism tax

• Utility Fee: $12.95 per night, per adult

• Housekeeping Gratuity: $4.50 per night, per adult

• Pool/Beach Attendant Gratuity: $2 per night, per adult

• Bellman Gratuity: $6.20 one-time charge, per adult

• These charges are mandatory pursuant to union contract and are subject to change.

Beach Tower Rooms: 275 sq.ft., includes full balcony

Royal Tower Rooms: 400 sq.ft., includes french balcony (half balcony)

Deposit & Cancellation Policies

• A deposit equal to two nights’ room and tax is required for all reservations.

• 30 day advance notice is required for cancellation. - Deposits are non-refundable for cancellations made after this deadline.

• Hotel policies, taxes, fees and gratuities were valid as of 03/01/2010 and are subject to change.

Meal Plans

Due to the deeply discounted room rate offered to conference attendees, Atlantis does not extend their meal plans to guests staying under discounted group rate plans. Please contact Atlantis directly for further details.

Local Airport

Nassau International Airport (NAS)

For assistance with air travel, we recommend Main Street Travel - Phone 732-828-8800; E-Mail john@mainstreettravel.net.

Ground Transportation from the Airport

Cabstands are conveniently located at the airport and taxi service can also be arranged by telephone. Taxi rates in Nassau/Paradise Island are zoned and are fixed by law. You can request to be charged by the taximeter, if you prefer. Surcharges often apply for more than two persons and extra luggage.

Passport Requirements

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid U.S. Passport in order to re-enter the United States. The Bahamian Government may also require proof of return airline ticket and sufficient funds to support your stay. Please be aware that a voter registration or certified birth certificate is no longer accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship. If you do not have a passport, please visit www.travel.state.gov for the most current information about the passport application process. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need to apply for a Bahamas Visa. Visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com/non-us-citizens or call a Bahamas Consulate for additional information.

Visitor Information

Visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com or www.bahamas.com.

Conference Attire

Business casual. Layered clothing is recommended as room temperatures may vary.

Seasonal Weather

November Averages - High - 82°F / Average Low - 68°F