National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center
PGY 2 Tomohiro Hirai
Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine
PGY 1 Rika Terashima
The Resident Fellow Committee (RFC) of the American College of Physicians (ACP) Japan Chapter held their second MKSAP study session on Sunday, April 18, 2021. This session, utilizing ACP’s famous online learning tool MKSAP, is approved by ACP Headquarters. Dr. Yuji Yamada (Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital) was invited for this session with the theme of “Hematology”, and he explained five pre-selected questions from MKSAP. We had a lively study session, with participants answering each question and many more questions flying in the chat box.
The 1st question was about the “treatment of iron deficiency anemia,” and Dr. Yamada gave an in-depth explanation of common problems we encounter in our daily clinical practice.
The 2nd question was about “how to deal with poor INR control associated with warfarin usage”. Recently, DOACs are being used more frequently, and the occasions for prescribing warfarin are decreasing, but this is still a problem we encounter often. The lecture was full of useful tips for tomorrow’s practice, such as the differentiation of various anticoagulants.
The 3rd question was about the “diagnosis of polycythemia vera.” Dr. Yamada provided a clear explanation utilizing a diagnosis flowchart style, and we were able to hear Dr. Yamada’s personal experience where changes in lab data led to the diagnosis of a new hidden disease.
The 4th and 5th questions were about “HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia)” and “DIHA (drug-induced hemolytic anemia)”. We discussed their differences and what to look out for in these diseases. We may know these diseases as medical knowledge but feel uneasy about actually clinically managing them. We also studied a wide range of topics, including the introduction of VITT (Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia), a new finding that has become a hot topic with the new coronavirus vaccine.
This MKSAP study session was also a time to increase motivation for daily study. Dr. Yamada carefully explained important points in actual clinical management, including common pitfalls. He taught us in a way that is easy for non-specialists to understand, while mixing in his expertise and advanced viewpoint.
RFC will continue to hold events, including this study session, to improve our daily practice. In addition, we will provide a platform for those who want to go abroad. The ACP Japan Chapter Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held, for the first time online, on June 26 and 27, 2021. The next MKSAP workshop is scheduled to be held in August or September after the Annual Meeting. We look forward to seeing you at our ACP Annual Meeting and at one of our many study sessions.