AAFP Adds New Livestream Platform CME Options
The AAFP is offering a new livestreaming CME format for two upcoming musculoskeletal and sports care and two adult medicine courses. Each topic will be offered in two formats: six half-day sessions during a three-day event or one 90-minute session every week for 12 weeks.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20191113newlivestreamcme.html
My Rx Is Simple: Do Less
Margaux Lazarin, D.O., M.P.H., writes in this Fresh Perspectives blog post that free time is undervalued in our society and that it's OK to say "no" to things that might overwhelm our schedules.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20191113fp-doless.html
Share the Art of Medicine by Embracing the Role of Mentor
As the breadth of medical education expands, Alan Schwartzstein, M.D., writes in this Leader Voices Blog post that physicians should make time to teach students the basic skill of building relationships with patients.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20191107lv-precepting.html
Should Appearance Matter in Medicine?
When we asked our new physician bloggers for their opinions on a recent survey regarding physician footwear, the conversation quickly broadened to take in attire, appearance and professionalism. Read more in this Fresh Perspectives post.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20191106fp-attire.html
AAFP Applauds Senate Introduction of Primary Care Patient Protection Act
AAFP Applauds Senate Introduction of Primary Care Patient Protection Act
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/more-statements/aafp-applauds-senate-introduction-of-primary-care-patient-protection-act.html
Thinking of Forming a MIPS Virtual Group for 2020?
Family physicians who plan to form a virtual group for reporting during the 2020 Merit-based Incentive Payment System performance period must notify CMS of their intent by Dec. 31.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20191106virtualgroup.html
Let's Fix Rural Americans' Inadequate Access to Care
It's no surprise that rural communities are suffering from health disparities, Kyle Leggott, M.D., writes in this Fresh Perspectives blog post. Although 20% of Americans live in rural areas, only 12% of primary care physicians practice there.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20191030fp-ruraltraining.html
ACIP Updates Pertussis Vaccine Recommendation
During its Oct. 23-24 meeting, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices updated its recommendation for the pertussis vaccine and was briefed on this season's flu activity.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191030acip.html
Patient Privacy Crucial in SUD Fight, Academy Tells HHS
The AAFP supports a proposed federal rule that acknowledges privacy is essential when family physicians are treating patients who have substance use disorder.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191030samhsaprivacy.html
Study Finds No Link Between IIV, Miscarriage
A study published in the journal Vaccine on Oct. 16 found no association between administration of inactivated influenza vaccine to pregnant women and miscarriage.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191030iiv-sab.html
AAFP to Feds on Vaccines: End EHR Costs, Fight Hesitancy
The Academy has called on regulators to ensure HHS' 2020 National Vaccination Plan ends EHR financial burdens related to immunization functionality and addresses vaccine hesitancy.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191029natvaccplan.html
Speak Out for Teaching Health Centers Today
Funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program runs out Nov. 21. In this Leader Voices Blog post, John Cullen, M.D., asks AAFP members to join efforts to reauthorize funding and expand the program.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20191029lv-thcgme.html
In NFL and in Clinic, This FP Knows Teamwork Counts
After injuries ended his professional football career, family physician Kip Corrington, M.D., Ph.D., switched his focus from preventing touchdowns to preventing illness.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20191028fdf-corrington.html
AAFP, Other Groups Laud Promising Rural ACO Improvement Act
The Academy and 14 other organizations have voiced support for a Senate bill that aims to fix a flawed formula used to measure accountable care organization performance.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191028ruralacoact.html
Survey: One in Five Young Americans Thinks Vaping Is Harmless
Results of an American Society of Clinical Oncology survey reveal that more than 20% of young Americans think that e-cigarettes are not only nonaddictive -- they're actually harmless.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191023ascovapesurvey.html
Don't Take It Personally? With Angry Patients, That's Hard
In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, Lalita Abhyankar, M.D., M.H.S., ponders how physicians should react when they are the focus of a disgruntled patient's ire.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20191022fp-angrypatient.html
More Study Needed on Illicit Drug Use Counseling in Youth
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft recommendation statement and evidence review that addressed primary care-based prevention of illicit drug use among children, adolescents and young adults.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191022uspstf-illicitdrugsyouth.html
AAFP to CMS: To Shrink Opioid Crisis, Grow Primary Care
The AAFP told CMS that the agency can help family physicians combat the opioid misuse crisis by increasing investment in primary care physician workforce growth and reducing administrative complexity.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191021supportact.html
End Surprise Medical Billing, AAFP Tells Lawmakers
Congress must end surprise medical billing -- a practice that harms patients and damages the physician-patient relationship -- the AAFP said in a recent letter to lawmakers.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191017surprisebilling.html
AAFP Query Prompts CMS Order on Pneumococcal Vaccine Denial
In response to AAFP concerns that some physicians' Medicare claims for administering pneumococcal vaccinations have been denied, CMS has instructed Medicare contractors to cease local pneumococcal vaccination frequency edits.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20191016claimsedits.html
Vaccination Gaps Leave Pregnant Moms, Infants Unprotected
According to recent research from the CDC, about 65% of mothers surveyed reported they had not received the seasonal influenza and tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccines before or during pregnancy.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191016vaccinpregnancy.html
Survey Examines Marijuana Use Among U.S. Adults
A survey of more than 169,000 American adults found that individuals with one or more documented medical conditions are far more likely to use marijuana than those without a medical condition.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20191016marijuanasurvey.html
Stop and Listen: Why We Need More Time With Patients
Erica Swegler, M.D., writes that in the era of 15-minute office visits, patients aren't being heard -- and the results can be deadly.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20191015lv-misseddiagnosis.html
Primary Care Exception Needs Expansion, AAFP Tells CMS
In an Oct. 9 letter to CMS, the Academy advocated for the expansion of codes under the primary care exception rule -- an update that would reduce administrative complexity without compromising patient care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191014exceptionrule.html
AAFP Pushes Against Executive Order on Equivalent Payment
A recent White House executive order meant to bolster Medicare includes some good ideas -- but one element could impair high-quality, team-based primary care, the Academy warned in an Oct. 11 letter.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20191014execorder.html