Free medical education on "forever chemicals"

Pediatric providers, public health professionals, community health workers, and all those interested to participate are invited to attend a three-session learning collaborative to increase awareness of potential health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The sessions will assist healthcare providers with risk mitigation guidance to patients and improved clinical care to environmentally exposed individuals.

PFAS has been found at high levels in drinking water wells near fire training and military bases in six areas of our state. In addition, more than a dozen public water systems have found PFAS in excess of state and federal health advice in their drinking water supplies.

The sessions are hosted by Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit Regions 8, 9, and 10. Participants will engage in the ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model, a telementoring platform that leverages video conference technology to connect experts with teams in local communities, fostering an “all teach, all learn” approach.

Benefits of participating

  • Improve quality of care for pediatric patients exposed to PFAS
  • Increase awareness of potential health effects, testing options, and risk communication
  • Network and problem solve with others
  • Continuing education credit pending – MOC2, CME, CNE, CEU

Registration is open. Note that each session requires separate registration. A post evaluation review will be conducted in December. Each 1.5-hour session will start at 11:30 a.m.

Session 1: October 5: Register for Session 1

  • Is My Drinking Water Safe
  • PFAS: What Is It and Why Should We Be Concerned?

Session 2: October 19: Register for Session 2

  • My Patient Was Exposed To PFAS: Now What Do I Do?
  • My Child Has Been Exposed to PFAS: Now What Do I Do?

Session 3: November 2: Register for Session 3

  • Reducing PFAS Exposures and Environmental Justice
  • PFAS: Future Directions

Local PFAS resources for healthcare providers are also available, including:

  • In partnership with the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit and the Occupational and Environmental Clinic at Harborview, DOH works to support local clinicians with questions about PFAS clinical care. To request a consultation, call 1-206-221-8671 or email pehsu@uw.edu.
  • UW Medicine clinician factsheet (PDF) on PFAS.
  • DOH PFAS for healthcare providers webpage.

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