UCSF Essentials of Primary Care: A Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Practice 2025

Overview

UCSF Essentials of Primary Care: A Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Practice 2025 is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of primary care clinicians managing a broad spectrum of ambulatory care issues. This course covers preventive medicine, cardiovascular risk assessment, chronic disease management, women’s health, dermatology, oncology, infectious diseases, and interprofessional collaboration. It includes formal lectures, case discussions, practical workshops, an audience response system, and a detailed syllabus with on-demand access to course recordings originally delivered live.

On-demand family medicine education — accessible anytime, anywhere.

Agenda

This curriculum provides comprehensive coverage of relevant topics through lectures and workshops organized over multiple days.

• Registration and Check-In, Welcome and Course Overview — Robert B. Baron, MD, MS
• Controversies in Cancer Screening 2025 — Judith M. E. Walsh, MD, MPH
• Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections — Paul Nadler, MD
• Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Implementing the 2025 Guidelines — Robert B. Baron, MD, MS
• Chronic Kidney Disease: Integrating New Tests, New Guidelines, and New Medications — Michael G. Shlipak, MD, MPH
• Management of Depression and Suicidality in Primary Care — Emma Samelson-Jones, MD
• Sunscreens, “Spots” and Skin Cancer — Lindy P. Fox, MD
• Cancer Treatment Today: Distinguishing Among Cancer Therapies and Anticipating Their Side Effects — Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd
• Best Practices in Immunization: Keeping Up With New Vaccines and New Practice Guidelines — Peter Chin-Hong, MD
• Heart Failure: New Strategies for Diagnosis and Treatment — Michael G. Shlipak, MD, MPH
• Management of Obesity in Office Practice: How Do We Best Utilize the New Medications? (Workshop) — Robert B. Baron, MD, MS
• Dermatologic Procedures in Primary Care (Workshop)* — Lindy P. Fox, MD
• Current and Emerging Strategies for Osteoporosis — Judith M.E. Walsh, MD, MPH
• Advances in Prevention and Treatment of Stroke: What Every Primary Care Clinician Should Know — Kenneth A. Fox, MD
• Covid-19, Flu, and RSV: Where Do We Stand with Common Respiratory Infections — Peter Chin-Hong, MD
• No Longer a Death Sentence: Distinguishing Curable from Incurable Cancer and Improving Prognostication (Workshop) — Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd
• Assessment and Initial Treatment of Orthopedic Problems Commonly in Primary Care (Workshop)* — Paul Nadler, MD
• Best Practices in Urgent Care: Managing Common Acute Disorders in Office Practice — Paul Nadler, MD
• Common Dermatologic Disorders: Tips for Diagnosis and Management — Lindy P. Fox, MD
• What’s New in Management of Menopause and Peri-menopausal Symptoms? — Judith M.E. Walsh, MD, MPH
• Top 10 Infectious Disease Topics That Will Likely Change Your Practice (Workshop) — Peter Chin-Hong, MD
• Mental Health Dilemmas in Primary Care: Diagnosing Bipolar, Treating Insomnia, and Deprescribing (Workshop) — Emma Samelson-Jones, MD
• Management of Coronary Artery Disease: How Should the New Guidelines Change Our Practice? — Michael G. Shlipak, MD, MPH
• Medications and Psychotherapy for Managing Anxiety — Emma Samelson-Jones, MD
• Management of Lipid Disorders in 2025: Integrating New Diagnostics and New Medications — Robert B. Baron, MD, MS
• Novel Cancer Diagnostics: Demystifying Commonly Used Molecular and Genetic Testing in Oncology — Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd

Objectives

The course is structured to increase competence and improve clinical practice in primary care. Key objectives include:

• Implementing new guidelines in office-based preventive medicine including cancer prevention, screening, immunizations, and cardiovascular disease prevention
• Managing common office problems such as lipid disorders, diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and sexually transmitted infections
• Applying best practices to treat patients with COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections
• Addressing common women’s health issues, including cervical cancer prevention, menopause, and osteoporosis
• Treating common dermatologic disorders including skin cancer, eczema, acne, hair loss, chronic urticaria, drug eruptions, infections, and aging skin conditions
• Utilizing new obesity medications, surgical options, and lifestyle interventions
• Performing effective histories, physical examinations, and procedures in dermatology and office orthopedics
• Understanding and managing common cancers, including new medications and prognostic counseling
• Expanding diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases
• Applying best practices in assessment and treatment of common mental health disorders
• Optimizing evidence-based patient communication and shared decision-making
• Enhancing interprofessional teamwork and collaboration
• Promoting value in medical practice and addressing health disparities in primary care

Speakers

This course is chaired by Robert B. Baron, MD, MS and features lectures and workshops led by experienced clinicians from UCSF specializing in primary care, dermatology, oncology, infectious diseases, and related fields.

• Robert B. Baron, MD, MS
• Judith M. E. Walsh, MD, MPH
• Paul Nadler, MD
• Michael G. Shlipak, MD, MPH
• Emma Samelson-Jones, MD
• Lindy P. Fox, MD
• Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd
• Peter Chin-Hong, MD
• Kenneth A. Fox, MD

Target Audience

This course is intended for practicing internists, family practitioners, advanced practice providers, and other health professionals interested in providing comprehensive, evidence-based primary care in ambulatory settings.

Why This Topic Matters

UCSF Essentials of Primary Care: A Core Curriculum for Ambulatory Practice 2025 addresses the evolving challenges and complexities in primary care, emphasizing the integration of preventive strategies, chronic disease management, and coordination with specialty care. This curriculum strengthens clinical expertise and confidence across key primary care domains.

Available through MedHub Central, this course offers a high-quality resource that supports ongoing professional development in family medicine and ambulatory care, reaffirming the central role of primary care clinicians in delivering equitable, patient-centered care.