MCE Conferences Internal Medicine Update and Addiction Medicine for Primary Care Sep 18, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026

Addiction care is paired with everyday internal medicine in this MCE update from Santa Fe. The September 18–20, 2026 program explores addiction neurobiology, psychosocial treatment, opioid use disorder, cannabis and alcohol-use pharmacotherapy. It also reviews cancer screening, common musculoskeletal complaints, rashes and eye problems seen in primary care. Later sessions consider complementary treatments and clinician burnout, giving the course a broader outpatient focus than substance-use treatment alone. Intended for primary care clinicians, the original meeting took place at the Inn & Spa at Loretto. The daily agenda below retains the session sequence and associated learning objectives.

Package scope: The program agenda is not a verified list of supplied recordings. This file purchase does not include live participation, publisher account services, MOC points or MATE Act compliance. Individual faculty names are not provided in the listed agenda.

+ Topics:

Friday, September 18th

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM:
The Neurobiology of Addiction and Implications for Treatment: Part I 
Objectives: 1) Discuss the basic elements of drive and cognition in the neurobiology of addiction 2) Distinguish between reward and anti-reward brain circuitry 3) Describe the concept of interoception

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM ~ BREAK

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM:
The Neurobiology of Addiction and Implications for Treatment: Part II 
Objectives: 1) List three safe and effective psychosocial interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders 2) Describe the impulsivity-compulsivity spectrum of illness as it applies to the behavioral

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM ~ BREAK

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM:
Colon, Breast, Prostate, and Lung Screening Update
Objectives: 1) Review current USPSTF recommendations regarding colon, breast, prostate, and lung cancer screening 2) Review the literature that the USPSTF recommendations are based on 3) Consider how to discuss controversial topics, such as breast, lung, and prostate cancer screening with the patient

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM ~ BREAK

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM:
Musculoskeletal Problems in Primary Care 
Objectives: 1) Review shoulder anatomy and workup of shoulder pain 2) Review knee anatomy and workup of knee pain 3) Review causes and treatments of hip pain

Saturday, September 19th

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM:
Common Rashes in Primary Care
Objectives: 1) Identify common rashes encountered in primary care 2) Review approaches to the treatment of common rashes 3) Discuss recommendations regarding referrals to dermatology

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM ~ BREAK

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM:
Ophthalmologic Issues for the Primary Care Provider 
Objectives: 1) Review basic eye anatomy 2) Review common ophthalmologic problems seen in primary care, such as eyelid disorders and red eye 3) Consider when an ophthalmology referral is needed and when it is urgent

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM ~ BREAK

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM:
The Opioid Epidemic in 2026 
Objectives: 1) Identify the origins and current state of the opioid crisis in the USA 2) Discuss the clinical use of buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorders

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM ~ BREAK

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM:
Cannabis
Objectives: 1) List three potentially beneficial uses of cannabinoids 2) Discuss the addictive potential of marijuana in the context of other drugs of abuse 3) Explain the increased danger of synthetic cannabinoids

Sunday, September 20th

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM:
The Pharmacotherapy of Alcohol Use Disorders 
Objectives: 1) Implement the three steps of brief intervention in everyday clinical practice 2) List three FDA-approved pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorders

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM ~ BREAK

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM:
Putting It All Together: Treating Addiction in Everyday Clinical Practice 
Objectives: 1) Solve a ten-case quiz on medications used in the treatment of substance use disorders 2) Effectively treat patients who suffer from dual diagnosis such as, addiction and other psychiatric disorders

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM ~ BREAK

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM:
Evidence-Based Approach to Complementary and Alternative Treatments
Objectives: 1) Review complementary and alternative treatments commonly used by patients 2) Discuss the evidence of the benefits for complementary and alternative treatments 3) Review the harms, sideeffects,and drug interactions of complementary and alternative treatments

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM ~ BREAK

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM:
Self-Care: Finding Meaning in One’s Work and Beating Burnout
Objectives: 1) Review the trends of burnout among US healthcare workers 2) Highlight the signs and causes of employee burnout 3) Review evidence-based strategies to improve well-being and reduce burnout