MER Primary Care Conferences Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care Derm Ortho Psych Sep 11-13, 2026

MER Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care: Dermatology/Orthopedics/Psychiatry 2026 is a focused continuing medical education program providing evidence-based updates for clinicians caring for children and adolescents. The conference integrates practical pediatric dermatology, psychiatry, orthopedics, sports medicine, concussion management, and adolescent health topics directly applicable to primary care practice.

Course Details

• Official Program: Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care: Derm/Ortho/Psych
• Organizer: Medical Education Resources (MER)
• Dates: September 11–13, 2026
• Location: Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina
• Format: Live CME Conference
• CME Credits: 12 Credit Hours
• ANCC Pharmacotherapeutic Contact Hours: 5.25
• Specialties: Pediatrics / Primary Care / Dermatology / Orthopedics / Psychiatry / Sports Medicine
• Language: English

Target Audience

This program is targeted to office-based primary care providers and other healthcare professionals seeking updates in primary care medicine, particularly the evaluation and management of common conditions affecting children and adolescents.

The conference is especially relevant for:

• Primary care physicians
• Pediatricians
• Family medicine physicians
• Dermatologists
• Orthopedic clinicians
• Psychiatrists
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Nurses
• Other healthcare professionals involved in pediatric and adolescent care

Program Overview

The Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care: Dermatology/Orthopedics/Psychiatry conference provides practical clinical education across three major areas frequently encountered in pediatric and adolescent primary care.

The dermatology curriculum addresses dermatitis, viral skin infections, fungal skin and nail disease, acne, and acneiform eruptions.

The psychiatry curriculum focuses on major behavioral and mental health conditions affecting adolescents, including ADHD, bipolar spectrum disorders, depression, and substance use disorders.

The orthopedic and sports medicine component addresses commonly missed musculoskeletal injuries in young patients, pediatric concussion recognition and management, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S).

Together, these topics provide primary care clinicians with practical strategies for diagnosis, treatment, referral decisions, medication management, and recognition of conditions requiring specialty evaluation.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

1. Differentiate between the presentations and causes of atopic, contact (irritant and allergic), and nummular dermatitis.
2. Discriminate between various viral skin infections and treatment strategies.
3. Compare the different treatment options for fungal skin infections and nail infections.
4. Describe the step-wise approach for the diagnosis and treatment of acne and acneiform eruptions.
5. Accurately diagnose and treat, using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches, ADHD in teens and adolescents.
6. Discuss mood-stabilizing psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments of bipolar disorder as well as frequent co-morbid psychiatric disorders.
7. Recommend appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment for depression in children and adolescents.
8. Describe strategies for identifying and treating substance use disorders in pediatric patients.
9. Recognize signs and symptoms of commonly missed orthopedic injuries in children and adolescents.
10. Evaluate and manage concussion in pediatric patients.
11. Identify risk factors for Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports and discuss the importance of nutrition and workout programs for athletes.

Official Program Topics

Day 1 — Friday, September 11, 2026

Dermatology

Dermatitis

A clinically focused review of common forms and causes of dermatitis, including:

• Contact dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Irritant dermatitis
• Nummular dermatitis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Exfoliative dermatitis
• Blistering and oozing presentations
• Crusting and flaking skin disorders
• Diagnostic principles
• Management strategies

Viral Infections of the Skin

Clinical recognition and management of pediatric viral dermatologic conditions, including:

• Herpes simplex
• Varicella-zoster
• Viral exanthems
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Warts
• Post-herpetic neuralgia
• Symptom management
• Appropriate dermatology referral

Fungal Infections of the Skin

Diagnosis and treatment of fungal skin and nail disorders, including:

• Dermatophyte infections
• Tinea versicolor
• Candidiasis
• Selected deep fungal infections
• Onycholysis
• Drug-induced nail changes
• Paronychia
• Koilonychia
• Nail discoloration
• Nail tumors
• Antifungal treatment options

Psychiatry

The Complexity of ADHD in Teens and Adolescents

Practical approaches to ADHD diagnosis and management with emphasis on:

• Clinical history taking
• Differential diagnosis
• Medical co-morbidities
• Psychiatric co-morbidities
• FDA-approved treatment options
• Pharmacologic management
• Nonpharmacologic management

Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

Evaluation and management of bipolar spectrum disorders, including:

• Bipolar disorders in youth
• Differences between adult and pediatric presentations
• Comprehensive psychiatric history
• Differential diagnosis
• Co-occurring psychiatric disorders
• Co-occurring medical conditions
• Phase-specific treatment considerations
• Psychosocial interventions
• Pharmacologic treatment

Day 2 — Saturday, September 12, 2026

Psychiatry

Depression in Teens and Adolescents

Clinical approaches to depression in children and adolescents, including:

• History taking
• Diagnosis
• Depression across the lifespan
• Pharmacologic treatment
• Non-pharmacologic treatment
• Rational polypharmacy

Substance Use Disorders in Teens and Adolescents

Practical approaches to recognizing and treating substance use disorders, including:

• Substance-use history taking
• Strategies to encourage honest patient disclosure
• Screening tools
• Accurate diagnosis
• Psychiatric and medical co-morbidities
• Treatment options

Dermatology

Acne and Acneiform Eruptions

A step-wise approach to common acne and acneiform disorders, including:

• Open and closed comedones
• Inflammatory acne lesions
• Acne grading
• Treatment selection based on disease severity
• Bacterial folliculitis
• Drug-induced acne
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Miliaria
• Perioral dermatitis
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae
• Rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Topical therapy
• Systemic therapy

Orthopedics

Commonly Missed Orthopedic Injuries in Children and Adolescents

A practical review of musculoskeletal injuries that may be overlooked in children and adolescent athletes.

The session emphasizes:

• Differences between the immature and adult skeleton
• Acute pediatric musculoskeletal injuries
• Chronic injuries
• Youth-specific injury patterns
• Expanded differential diagnosis
• Recognition of commonly missed injuries
• Injuries appropriate for primary care management
• Identification of patients requiring orthopedic referral

Commonly Missed Orthopedic Injuries in Children and Adolescents — Continued

Continued discussion of the differential diagnosis and recognition of pediatric and adolescent musculoskeletal injuries, with particular emphasis on appropriate management and referral decisions.

Day 3 — Sunday, September 13, 2026

Orthopedics / Sports Medicine

Concussion in Sports: Recognition, Office Evaluation, and Management for Primary Care

A clinically focused review of concussion in patients aged 18 years and younger, including:

• Current concussion definitions
• Signs and symptoms
• Clinical significance of concussion findings
• Office-based concussion evaluation
• Concussion management
• Return-to-sport decision-making
• Contemporary return-to-play guidance
• CRT6
• SCAT6
• SCOAT6
• Concepts from the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport

Nutritional Considerations for the Young Athlete: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S)

An important sports medicine session addressing nutrition and energy availability in young athletes.

Topics include:

• Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports
• Inadequate nutritional intake
• Excessive exercise
• Disordered eating behaviors
• Impact on athletic performance
• Bone demineralization
• Effects during critical developmental periods
• Pathophysiology of RED-S
• Risk-factor recognition
• Early identification
• Primary care management
• Nutrition strategies
• Appropriate exercise programs

Major Topics

Pediatric Dermatology

Practical diagnosis and management of common skin diseases encountered in children and adolescents.

Dermatitis

Differentiation of atopic, allergic contact, irritant, nummular, seborrheic, and other forms of dermatitis.

Pediatric Viral Skin Infections

Recognition and treatment of herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, molluscum, warts, and other viral dermatologic presentations.

Fungal Skin and Nail Infections

Diagnosis and treatment of dermatophyte infections, candidiasis, tinea versicolor, fungal nail disease, and related disorders.

Pediatric and Adolescent Acne

Step-wise evaluation and treatment of acne and acneiform eruptions using topical and systemic therapies.

ADHD in Adolescents

Evidence-based diagnosis and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of ADHD in teens and adolescents.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Recognition, differential diagnosis, psychiatric co-morbidities, psychosocial treatment, and pharmacologic management.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Assessment and treatment of pediatric and adolescent depression, including medication and non-medication strategies.

Substance Use Disorders

Screening, diagnosis, co-morbidity assessment, and treatment of substance use disorders in adolescent patients.

Pediatric Orthopedic Injuries

Recognition of commonly missed acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries unique to children and adolescent athletes.

Pediatric Concussion

Office evaluation, management, and return-to-sport decision-making for pediatric and adolescent concussion.

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports

Recognition and management of RED-S and its effects on nutrition, bone health, development, and athletic performance.

CME and Accreditation Highlights

The program is designated for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Additional official accreditation includes:

• 12 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits
• Up to 12 ABIM MOC points
• Up to 12 Live AAFP Prescribed credits
• 12 AOA Category 2-A hours
• Up to 12 ACEP Category I hours
• 12 ANCC nursing contact hours
• 5.25 ANCC pharmacotherapeutic contact hours
• 12 AAPA Category 1 CME credits

Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with their participation in the activity.

Why This Conference Is Relevant

Children and adolescents present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because dermatologic disease, psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and sports-related conditions may differ substantially from their adult counterparts.

This MER conference integrates several high-frequency clinical areas into one practical primary care program.

It is particularly valuable for clinicians who need to:

• Differentiate common pediatric skin disorders
• Select appropriate topical and systemic treatments
• Diagnose ADHD and mood disorders
• Manage pediatric and adolescent depression
• Recognize substance use disorders
• Identify commonly missed orthopedic injuries
• Determine when orthopedic referral is appropriate
• Evaluate pediatric concussion
• Make safe return-to-sport decisions
• Recognize RED-S in young athletes
• Incorporate nutrition and sports medicine principles into adolescent care

The multidisciplinary format makes the program particularly useful for clinicians delivering comprehensive pediatric and adolescent primary care.

Short Description

MER Primary Care Conferences Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine for Primary Care Derm Ortho Psych Sep 11-13, 2026 is a 12-credit CME program covering pediatric dermatology, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, substance use disorders, pediatric orthopedic injuries, sports concussion, acne, skin infections, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S). Designed for primary care clinicians, pediatricians, and healthcare professionals caring for children and adolescents.

Topics

• Dermatitis: Overview of the causes and forms of skin irritants; Contact, atopic, irritant, nummular, seborrheic and exfoliative; Treatment of blistering, oozing, crusting and flaking; Diagnostic principles and management strategies.

• Viral Infections of the Skin: Proper diagnosis and differences in viral skin presentation; Herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, viral exanthems; Molluscum and warts; Treating lasting post-herpetic neuralgia; Symptom management and referral to dermatology.

• Fungal Infections of the Skin: Dermatophytes, tinea versicolor, candidiasis; Selected deep fungal infections; Onycholysis; Drug induced nail changes; paronychia, koilonychia, nail discolorations, tumors of the nail; Fungal infections diagnosis and management; Overview and comparison of antifungal treatment options.

• The Complexity of ADHD In Teens and Adolescents: Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in teens and adolescents with an emphasis on history taking, differential diagnosis, medical and psychiatric co-morbidity, and FDA-approved treatments.

• Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: Bipolar spectrum disorders in adults as compared to youth; Comprehensive history-taking; Differential diagnosis; Co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions; Phase specific treatment considerations and interventions.

• Depression in Teens and Adolescents: History taking, diagnosis and treatment of depression across the lifespan; pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options; rational polypharmacy.

• Substance Use Disorders in Teens and Adolescents: Substance abuse history-taking to encourage patient honesty; accurate diagnosis; use of screening tools; co-morbidities and treatment options.

• Acne and Acneiform Eruptions: Identification of noninflammatory open or closed comedones and inflammatory lesions; Determination of treatment therapies based on acne grading scale; Bacterial folliculitis, drug-induced acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, miliaria, perioral dermatits, pseudofolliculitis barbae, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis; Topical and systemic therapy.

• Commonly Missed Orthopedic Injuries in Children and Adolescents: The immature skeleton of the pediatric and adolescent athlete make it particularly vulnerable to a variety of acute and chronic injuries not seen in the adult population. Recognition of these injuries is critical in the care of the injured young athlete. Objectives of this session include providing physicians with an enhanced differential diagnosis of common and commonly missed musculoskeletal injuries specific to youth and recognition of which injuries can be treated by the primary care physician vs those requiring orthopedic referral.

• Concussion in Sports – Recognition, Office Evaluation, and Management for Primary Care: Severity and consequences of concussion for those 18 and younger; Current definition, signs and symptoms, their significance; Up-to-date return to sport guidelines and decision making and provide concussion management tools; Discussion the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sports in Amsterdam 2022 as well as CRT6, SCAT6, SCOAT6.

• Nutritional Considerations for the Young Athlete – Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDIS): The growing popularity of organized youth sports is well documented. Young men and women are now participating in organized sports at historic levels. However, many active young athletes are often either misinformed on the proper dietary habits necessary for optimal health or willingly undermine their performance in the short term and adversely impact their health in the long term through destructive eating and exercise behaviors. RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports) is an increasingly recognized disorder in which aberrant eating behaviors coupled with excessive exercise leads to early bone demineralization at a crucial developmental period. The basis of this disorder will be discussed, its pathophysiology, early recognition and approaches to management will be presented from a primary perspective.