"Needle in the Haystack - Diagnostic Considerations for Autoimmune Disorders" - Tara Bruner, PA-C

Patients often present to primary care with chronic pain and concerns for autoimmune disease. Approximately 5-8% of the US population have an autoimmune disorder. Deciphering autoimmunity can be difficult. There are more than 80 autoimmune states and span all body systems. Getting back to basics with history, physical and autoimmune screening diagnostics can aid in the appropriate management and referrals for patients. 

Speaker bio: Tara is the US Clinical Education manager of the Medical and Scientific Affairs Team  with Thermo Fisher Scientific. In this role she oversees a clinical education team to support peer-to-peer education of allergy and autoimmune disease states by utilizing diagnostic laboratory testing to aid in disease diagnosis.  

Tara received a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Oklahoma Christian  University in 2000. After graduation she worked as a research technician in the  department of Arthritis and Immunology at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. In  2005 she graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a  Masters of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies. Tara has been a PA in bariatric surgery, family practice, and PA education since 2005. She has been a team leader in primary care incentive programs with Patient Centered Medical Home and Comprehensive Primary Care +. Tara implemented and managed a guideline driven Asthma, Allergy and COPD clinic within primary care practice. She continues to practice primary care medicine in Searcy, Arkansas.

At the end of the presentation, attendees should be able to:

1. Understand innate and adaptive immune response.
2. Compare patient history and physical to common autoimmune disorders.
3. Discuss appropriate diagnostic testing for suspected autoimmune disorder.

This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 19 AAPA
Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 3/8/2024 to
3/8/2025. AAPA reference number: CME-2010808.

Speaker is employed by Thermo Fisher Scientific and is a partner with Pfizer, but did not receive direct compensation for this talk.