Internal medicine – problem oriented approach

Internal medicine – problem oriented approach

Course background and summary:

POA in veterianry internal medicine is a stepwise process of gathering case information; defining problems; making plans for diagnosis, treatment, and client education; and evaluating patient progress over time. This explicit method of diagnostic reasoning forms the basis of evidence-based veterinary medicine and informed decision making.
This three-days course will provide the attendants with a logical, easy to replicate diagnostic approach to the most common clinical signs encountered in general practice. The speakers will use evidence based-medicine and clinical scenarios to show how, by means of a systematic approach, it is possible to start from a clinical symptom and to arrive at a provisional/definitive diagnosis ensuring both clients’ satisfaction and best patients’ care. The participants will find the course very useful and inspiring and will be able to apply what they have learnt into day-to-day practice. Both speakers are European Board-Certified Specialists in small animal internal medicine and have mastered POA-based teaching courses over many years in Europe and worldwide.

Speakers

Federico Fracassi

Federico Fracassi

DVM, PhD, DECVIM (SAIM)

European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Dr Fracassi graduated in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) “cum laude” at the University of Bologna, Italy. In 2005 he defended his Ph.D. thesis and then completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich, Switzerland and became ECVIM-CA (internal medicine) diplomate in 2012. He is now an Associate Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the University of Bologna. His main research focus is the field of small animal endocrinology. His publication list consists of more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 10 book chapters. He is the editor of “Veterinaria”, a peer-reviewed journal and associate editor of Journal of Small Animal Practice. He has been president of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology, and the Italian Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and is currently vice-president of the ECVIM-CA congress board. In 2017 he co-edited “Feline Endocrinology” (a book translated into 6 languages) with Dr Feldman and Dr Peterson. In 2022 has edited “Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in internal medicine for dogs and cats” (book translated in 7 languages). Dr Fracassi has lectured in in 22 countries.

Francesca Del Baldo

Francesca Del Baldo

DVM, MRCVS, PhD, Dipl. ECVIM-CA

European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Current position
Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy, head of Internal Medicine unit
Main Focus: clinical endocrinology and internal medicine

Education and postgraduate training
2022: Dipl. European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – companion animals (ECVIM-CA), speciality Internal Medicine
2018-2021: Position as Resident ECVIM-CA- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
2020: Defense PhD thesis
2016-2019: PhD Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
2016: Rotating Internship Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
2014: Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with 110/110 cum laude State University of Bologna, Italy

Memberships
2021-present: Board member of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology (ESVE)
2021-present: Board member of the Italian Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine

DAY 1

Time Topic Speaker
08.15-09.15 Registration
09.15 Introduction
09.30-10.45 Problem-oriented approach: the steps that follow history taking and physical examination Federico Fracassi
10.45-11.30 How to use and maximise scientific sources Federico Fracassi
11.30-12.00 Coffee Break
12.00-13.00 Interactive section: Journal Club Francesca Del Baldo
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-14.45 Approach to the patient with regurgitation Francesca Del Baldo
14.45-15.30 Approach to the patient with vomiting Francesca Del Baldo
15.30-16.15 Diagnostic approach to acute diarrhoea Francesca Del Baldo
16.15-16.45 Coffee Break
16.45-18.00 Problem solving: discussion of clinical cases in small groups Federico Fracassi Francesca Del Baldo

DAY 2

Time Topic Speaker
9.00-9.45 Diagnostic approach to chronic diarrhoea Francesca Del Baldo
9.45-10.30 Approach to the patient with icterus Federico Fracassi
10.30-11.00 Coffee Break
11.00-11.45 Hyperthermia and fever of unknown origin: from the clinical case to the diagnosis Francesca Del Baldo
11.45-12.15 Approach to the patient with pale mucous membranes Francesca Del Baldo
12.15-13.00 Interactive clinical cases Federico Fracassi
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-14.45 Petechia and ecchymosis through the discussion of clinical cases ( part 1) Federico Fracassi
14.45-15.45 Petechia and ecchymosis through the discussion of clinical cases ( part 2) Federico Fracassi
15.00-15.45 Interactive clinical cases Francesca Del Baldo
15.45-16.15 Coffee Break
16.45-18.00 Problem solving: discussion of clinical cases in small groups Francesca Del Baldo Federico Fracassi

DAY 3

Time Topic Speaker
9.00-09.45 Clinical and diagnostic approach to the patient with cough Francesca Del Baldo
09.45-10.30 Clinical approach to nasal discharge Francesca Del Baldo
10.30-11.15 Interactive clinical cases Francesca Del Baldo
11.11-11.45 Coffee Break
11.45-12.30 Polyuria and Polidipsia: from the theory to the clinical case Federico Fracassi
12.30-13.00 Interactive clinical cases Federico Fracassi
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-14.45 Increase in volume of the abdomen / ascites: clinical cases Federico Fracassi
14.45-17.00 Problem solving: discussion of clinical cases in samll groups Federico Fracassi Francesca Del Baldo
17.00-17.30 End of the course and final discussion

Internal medicine – problem oriented approach

Respiratory Medicine and Liver & Pancreatic Disease

Objectives:

  • Develop a logical approach to the patient with respiratory disease
  • Gain confidence in basic evaluations and investigations including film reading, utility of point of care ultrasound in respiratory cases and bronchoscopy
  • Practically be able to place trocar and Seldinger guided thoracic drains
  • Have a good understanding of the aetiology of liver and pancreatic disease in both cats and dogs
  • Understand the approach to cases through interactive case discussion

Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS
European and RCVS recognised Specialist in Veterinary Internal Medicine
Hon. Assoc. Professor of Small Animal Medicine, University of Nottingham

Clinical Director, Dick White Referrals, The Six Mile Bottom Veterinary Specialist Centre,
Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Cambridge, CB8 0UH

Simon trained at the University of Cambridge and, after qualifying, spent 2 years in small animal practice before taking up a Residency in Small Animal Medicine and Intensive Care at the University of Bristol. He joined DWR in 2007. He holds the Royal College Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is an active member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and was editor of Companion Journal until recently. Simon particularly enjoys critical care and has been instrumental in developing the Interventional Radiology service at DWR, using minimally invasive techniques and bio-materials to treat many conditions which previously required more invasive surgery. His is currently clinical director and an active member of the Internal Medicine team. Simon has lectured widely in the UK and Europe on subjects including emergency medicine, infectious disease and interventional radiology.
DAY 1 – Respiratory Medicine

Time Title
09:00 – 10:00 Evaluation of nasal discharge
10:00 – 11:00 Approach to the coughing patient
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 – 12:15 Management of the dyspnoeic patient
12:15 – 13:00 Management of pleural effusion
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Practical session (chest drains and tracheostomy tubes)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 An introduction to performing bronchoscopy
17:00 – 18:00 Film reading
DAY 2 – Liver & Pancreatic Disease

Time Title
09:00 – 10:00 Evaluation of laboratory tests in liver disease
10:00 – 11:00 Interpreting imaging & taking biopsies
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 – 13:00 Canine liver disease
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 14:45 Feline Liver disease
14:45 – 15:30 Managing pancreatitis
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Interactive cases (using Mentimeter)
17:00 – 18:30 The feeding tube placement – practical and video demonstration