News Briefs: Week of Feb. 22-26

This roundup includes the following news briefs:

Family physicians can earn credit for Part IV of the Maintenance of Certification Program for Family Physicians, or MC-FP, developed by the American Board of Family Medicine, or ABFM, by completing a new Web-based quality improvement/performance improvement activity on colorectal cancer screening.

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Practice Improvement Program was developed by the New Jersey AFP in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, or ACS.

The program draws from, and expands upon, the components of the toolkit "How to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice: A Primary Care Clinician's Evidence-Based Toolbox and Guide." The toolkit was jointly developed by the ACS, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the CDC.

The online program takes physician-learners through the entire practice improvement process -- from preintervention practice assessment to baseline chart review and data abstraction, and from development and implementation of the quality improvement plan to remeasurement data analysis.

The activity has been approved by the American Board of Family Medicine, or ABFM, for MC-FP Part IV credit. It also is accredited as a Performance in Practice module by the AAFP. Participants are eligible to receive 20 Prescribed CME credits credit for completing the program.

The FDA is warning consumers to not use ear candles because of safety concerns and a lack of efficacy. The agency also is urging physicians to report injuries related to the use of these products to its MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

The FDA said it has received reports of burns, perforated eardrums and blockage of the ear canal requiring surgical clearance after the use of ear candles. Agency officials also said that children are at increased risk for injuries with these products because of their smaller ear canal size and the probability that they will move during use of the devices.

Manufacturers have claimed that ear candles draw ear wax, impurities and toxins out of the ear canal; provide relief from sinus and ear infections, headache, and earache; improve hearing and brain function; purify blood; and cure cancer. The FDA, however, said it has found no evidence to support the safety or effectiveness of the devices for any medical claims or benefits.

According to first lady Michelle Obama, family physicians will be an important part of the national campaign to combat childhood obesity. Obama's remarks came during a Feb. 20 address before the National Governors Association in Washington.

The first lady outlined various components of her Let's Move campaign to fight the growing rates of obesity in children, and said "We're working with pediatricians and family doctors to encourage them to screen kids for obesity early, and then actually write out a prescription for parents with action steps that they can take to address it so they don't feel like they're dealing with this problem alone."

The AAFP is a partner in the Let's Move campaign, which comprises four main pillars: healthy choices, healthier schools, physical activity, and accessible and affordable healthy food.

AAFP President Lori Heim, M.D., of Vass, N.C., praised the first lady's remarks, saying, "I think it is wonderful she recognizes the impact family physicians have in the care of the pediatric population and also that she recognizes how important that (impact) is as we move forward to try and combat childhood obesity."