Conference targets allergy, asthma topics for advanced practitioners
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Key takeaways:
- Topics will include food allergy, atopic dermatitis and GINA guidelines.
- Speakers will include former AAAAI president David A. Khan, MD, FAAAAI.
- The conference’s scope facilitates connections between speakers and attendees.
The prevalence of allergic diseases continues to grow, and so does the need for clinical training — especially for physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other allied health care professionals.
The Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (APA-AAI) aims to support these providers at its 16th annual conference, scheduled for Aug. 2 to 4 in San Antonio.
“As allergic diseases are on the rise, we’re seeing more and more opportunities for PAs and NPs coupled with, of course, the physician shortage predicted for the next decade or so,” Amanda Michaud, DMSc, PA-C, AE-C, APA-AAI conference chair, told Healio. “There’s going to be even more opportunity.”
Michaud, who also is a member of the Healio Allergy/Asthma Peer Perspective Board, noted that this event is the only conference organized and run by advanced practice clinicians in the specialty.
“While some of the bigger conferences do have some days or hours carved out for advanced practice and allied health, we are really, truly the only conference where we are the ones putting it on,” she said.
Continuing education lineup
Topics will span the range of allergy and asthma treatment, including ENT conditions, periodic fever syndromes, pulmonary function testing, overlapping care in asthma and COPD, anaphylaxis and more.
“We’re doing a talk on nasal polyps. We haven’t had a covered talk on that in a couple of years and since the advent of new agents to treat that condition,” said Michaud, who will be giving that presentation. “Also, climate change and allergic disease, which is a big deal.”
Michaud said that the APA-AAI builds its agenda around core allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergy but also considers input from previous attendees.
“We really try to formulate based on those suggestions what we offer at the next meeting, and I think this year, we did a really good job of that,” Michaud said.
Michaud also touted the expertise of the speakers who will be attending the conference. David A. Khan, MD, FAAAAI, former president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, will present the keynote on drug allergy and lead another session on chronic hives.
“We’re so lucky and excited to have him,” Michaud said. “He’s a great speaker, and he is going to bring a lot of value to the meeting.”
Keri Holyoak, PA-C, MPH, will cover atopic dermatitis — including AD masqueraders and other situations that clinicians may encounter in practice but may struggle to recognize — in a pair of presentations.
Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, founder and president of the Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers, will provide updates about the Global Initiative for Asthma Guidelines and the use of biologics in asthma care.
Maria Crain, APRN, CPNP-PC, will discuss tips and tricks for success in oral food challenges, Jodi Shroba, MSN, APRN, CPNP, will explore food allergy diagnostics and Michael Pistiner, MD, will talk about food introduction and allergy prevention.
“It’s really cool that we have a lot of new speakers,” Michaud said.
APA-AAI president Nicole Soucy, PA-C, and past president Brian Bizik, MS, PA-C, also are on the schedule.
“Nicole has extensive experience in pediatric immunology and is coming to do an immune talk,” Michaud said. “Brian is a pulmonary guy, also allergy and asthma and COPD. He’s doing a talk there as well.”
APA-AAI president-elect Heather O’Connell, PA-C, whom Michaud called an expert in contact dermatitis, will present a lecture on that topic too.
The continuing education opportunities also will head outdoors as Tricia Sowers, PhD, will lead a botany walk on the San Antonio Riverwalk.
“She will discuss the science and perspectives on different pollinating plants and aeroallergens,” Michaud said. “We discuss these things with patients daily, but a lot of us don’t have a huge core education on the differences between some of these species.”
Additional opportunities
Blueprint Medicines, Sanofi/Regeneron, AstraZeneca and Genentech are hosting breakfasts, lunches and a dinner product theater throughout the conference, including presentations on indolent systemic mastocytosis, type 2 inflammation and eosinophilic asthma.
“Our industry sponsors are incredible. This meeting wouldn’t happen without them,” Michaud said. “It’s awesome that we have opportunities, several breaks throughout the agenda, to visit with them and network further with them.”
The schedule also includes a visit to Hopscotch.
“It’s a really cool immersive art experience and gallery,” Michaud said. “We have some space reserved there to allow everyone to mingle and hang out and explore.”
Compared with other conferences in allergy and asthma, Michaud said that the APA-AAI conference’s scope facilitates connections between attendees, presenters and sponsors alike.
“We’re all in the same room, the whole time learning together,” she said. “That allows everyone to have that more intimate experience where they feel comfortable coming up to the speakers and faculty. It’s more of a collegial, close-knit experience.”
Michaud also touted the quality of the speakers and presentations in addition to how they are geared for a variety of professionals in the allergy and asthma space.
“The caliber of our presentations is very similar to the caliber of clinically focused or advanced practice sessions at other meetings,” she said. “The fact that it’s put on by PAs or NPs or advanced practice clinicians doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s less robust.”
Considering the growing role of these professionals in allergy and asthma care, Michaud emphasized the importance of making these connections.
“There are a lot of advanced practice clinicians that have never heard of us,” she said. “Once a PA or NP starts coming to our meetings, a lot of times they keep coming back year after year. We just keep hoping to see more of that growth.”
For more information:
Amanda Michaud, DMSc, PA-C, AE-C, can be reached at amandalmichaud@gmail.com.