Primary Care Review Course for Nurse Practitioners

Primary care moves fast. Clinicians balance undifferentiated presentations, overlapping symptoms, chronic disease management and prevention, medication decisions, follow-up planning, and clinical risk, often within limited time and with incomplete information. Even with strong training and experience, it can be hard to stay consistent across a wide scope of care.

The Primary Care Review Course was created to support that consistency. It is a comprehensive, structured online program built as an end-to-end clinical refresher that brings together the core conditions and presentations primary care clinicians manage every day in a clear, organized way. Clinical reasoning is the thread that runs through the course, including assessment, diagnostic reasoning, investigations, management, follow-up, prevention, and referral decisions.

Across 15 in-depth modules, the course covers the core areas of primary care practice, including cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep, endocrine and metabolic health, women’s and men’s health, gastrointestinal and liver conditions, renal and urologic care, musculoskeletal and rheumatologic concerns, dermatologic conditions, infectious disease, ENT and eye presentations, mental health and addictions, pediatric care, and geriatric care.

The curriculum integrates Canadian, U.S., and international guidance to support clinicians across North America and beyond. Lab values are presented in SI units, with conventional units included where applicable.

Who it’s for

This course is designed for nurse practitioners and other clinicians working in primary care who want to feel more confident managing common presentations and day-to-day clinical decisions. It is suitable for nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals involved in primary care delivery.

What you’ll learn

By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:

1. Describe the typical presentation and key assessment features of common primary care conditions, including red flags and risk stratification.

2. Differentiate common conditions using focused differential diagnosis and identify appropriate diagnostic criteria and initial workup when indicated.

3. Select evidence-informed first-line treatment strategies for common primary care conditions, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options.

4. Develop practical management and next-step plans, including monitoring, follow-up intervals, safety netting, prevention and screening considerations, and indications for escalation or referral.

Program format

The course is self-paced and fully online, and includes:

• On-demand video lessons designed for busy primary care clinicians

• Structured modules that walk through common conditions with a consistent approach to what it is, how to assess, how to diagnose, first-line treatment, management, and next steps

• Downloadable reference materials and practical tools to support everyday practice

• A private peer discussion space for collaboration and support

• Lifetime access with a one-time payment and no subscription required

• ANCC contact hours; accreditation details will be shared once finalized

Click each module below to explore what you’ll learn. Outline subject to refinement as the course is finalized.

Build a strong foundation for safe, effective primary care practice using clear, repeatable clinical reasoning frameworks.

In this module, you’ll learn how to approach undifferentiated presentations, prioritize risk, recognize red flags, develop focused differentials, select targeted investigations, and plan appropriate follow-up. Core principles such as safety-netting, documentation, continuity of care, prevention, and shared decision-making are integrated throughout.

By the end of this module, you’ll have a clear, structured approach you can apply to common primary care encounters with confidence, efficiency, and safety.

Develop a practical approach to common cardiovascular conditions seen in primary care.

You’ll review assessment and management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chest pain and angina, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic edema.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to initiate evidence-based management, recognize high-risk features, and determine when referral or escalation is required.

Strengthen your approach to common respiratory and sleep-related presentations.

You’ll review asthma and COPD management, evaluation of chronic cough, outpatient management of pneumonia and bronchitis, and screening and referral pathways for sleep apnea.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to assess respiratory symptoms confidently, initiate appropriate treatment, and identify red flags requiring further investigation or referral.

Review a structured approach to common endocrine and metabolic conditions.

You’ll cover diabetes management, obesity treatment strategies, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, and metabolic syndrome, with an emphasis on assessment, monitoring, and long-term follow-up.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to manage common endocrine conditions safely and recognize when specialist involvement is needed.

Build confidence managing common women’s health concerns across the lifespan.

You’ll review contraception, abnormal uterine bleeding, perimenopause and menopause, PCOS, pregnancy and postpartum considerations, and preventive care in women’s health.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to assess common presentations, initiate appropriate management, and recognize when referral or collaboration is indicated.

Develop a practical approach to common men’s health concerns in primary care.

You’ll review benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, testosterone-related concerns, sexual health, and preventive care considerations.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to manage common men’s health presentations and identify when further evaluation or referral is required.

Develop a systematic approach to common gastrointestinal and liver-related complaints.

You’ll review assessment of abdominal pain, GERD and dyspepsia, NAFLD/MASLD, constipation and diarrhea, IBS versus IBD, and gallbladder and biliary disease.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to differentiate functional from concerning presentations and manage common conditions safely in primary care.

Strengthen your approach to kidney and urinary conditions commonly encountered in primary care.

You’ll review chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, proteinuria and hematuria, urinary tract infections, and renal stones, with a focus on monitoring, medication considerations, and referral thresholds.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to identify concerning patterns and manage renal and urologic conditions appropriately.

Build a practical approach for assessing musculoskeletal pain and inflammatory conditions.

You’ll review low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and core joint assessment principles.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to differentiate mechanical from inflammatory conditions and initiate appropriate management or referral.

Develop confidence assessing common skin conditions and lesions in primary care.

You’ll review inflammatory skin conditions, common skin infections, pediatric rashes, lesion assessment, and biopsy decision-making.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to recognize concerning skin findings and manage common dermatologic conditions safely.

Review a practical approach to common outpatient infections.

You’ll cover common respiratory and skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, Lyme disease, shingles, and principles of antimicrobial stewardship.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to select appropriate treatment and recognize when further evaluation or referral is required.

Strengthen your approach to common ENT and eye-related presentations.

You’ll review hearing loss, otitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, dizziness and vertigo, and eye conditions requiring urgent recognition and referral.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to assess these presentations confidently and identify red flags that require escalation.

Build a structured approach to common mental health and substance use concerns in primary care.

You’ll review depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, substance use disorders, and the functional impacts of mental health conditions.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to initiate appropriate management and recognize when specialized care is needed.

Review key pediatric presentations and preventive care in primary care.

You’ll cover well-baby care, growth and development, pediatric asthma, and common pediatric concerns.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to assess pediatric presentations appropriately and recognize when referral is required.

Strengthen your approach to care of older adults in primary care.

You’ll review frailty, polypharmacy, deprescribing, falls prevention, cognitive decline, and age-related considerations in assessment and management.

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to tailor care plans to the needs of older adults and manage complexity safely.