Offer to Prescribe Medication to Cut Breast Cancer Risk
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a final statement recommending risk-reducing medications for women who have an increased risk for breast cancer and a low risk for adverse medication effects.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190909uspstf-breastcameds.html
AAFP FAQ Aims to Educate FPs About Using Claims Data
The AAFP has created a document to help family physicians understand all-payer claims databases so they can advocate for greater state investment in primary care.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190906claimsdatabasefaq.html
AAFP Tells FCC Telehealth Pilot Should Encompass Broad Scope
The Academy told the Federal Communications Commission in an Aug. 28 letter that a proposed $100 million telehealth initiative must not be limited to rural physicians and patients.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190904fcctelehealth.html
Study: Preterm Infants Less Likely to Be Fully Vaccinated
A recent study in Pediatrics found that more than half of all preterm infants had not received the full complement of vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by age 19 months.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190904pretermvax.html
Collaboration Improves Patient Outcomes, Lowers Cost
Researchers found that an interprofessional collaborative practice model used in an ambulatory care center led to better care, lower costs and greater clinician satisfaction.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190904annalscollaboration.html
CDC: Report Possible Vaping-associated Pulmonary Illness
The CDC is asking clinicians to report unexplained pulmonary illness that may be related to e-cigarette use after nearly 200 potential cases have been reported in 22 states.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190827vapingillness.html
USPSTF Recommends Screening Adults for Illicit Drug Use
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in a draft recommendation statement that screening for illicit drug use is recommended in adults if services for diagnosis, treatment and care are available.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190827uspstfdrugscreening.html
Screen At-risk Women for BRCA-related Cancer
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently posted a final recommendation statement on risk assessment, genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190826uspstfbrca.html
AAFP Credit System Unveils New Seal
The AAFP Credit System has unveiled a new seal that CME providers can use to show their education has been vetted and approved by the AAFP.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190826creditsystemseal.html
AAFP Voices Concern About New 'Public Charge' Rule
The AAFP has joined a call for the Department of Homeland Security to rescind a new public charge regulation that creates an unacceptable barrier between physicians and their patients.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190821publiccharge.html
Boost Naloxone Prescribing to Halt Opioid Overdose Deaths
A report on nationwide naloxone dispensing practices found that the ratio of naloxone prescriptions to high-dose opioid prescriptions is surprisingly low and that significant differences exist between dispensing rates in rural versus metropolitan areas.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190820naloxoneprescript.html
New Research Examines FPs' Prediabetes Knowledge, Practices
Researchers found that family physicians and other clinicians are highly skilled in screening for and managing prediabetes but are less aware of the National Diabetes Prevention Program and similar patient resources.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190816prediabetesstudy.html
Practicing in Rural Areas May Reduce Burnout, Study Finds
Results of a small pilot study suggest that family physicians who practice in rural areas have significantly lower burnout rates than their nonrural peers.
AAFP News : Focus on Physician Well-being
https://www.aafp.org/news/focus-on-physician-well-being/20190816ruralburnout.html
New Data From AAFP Reveals Increased Complexity of Family Physician Visits
AAFP Reveals Increased Complexity of Family Physician Visits
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/kits/complexity-of-care-of-family-physician-visit.html
AAFP Sustains Fight to Reduce Administrative Complexity for Family Medicine
AAFP Sustains Fight to Reduce Administrative Burden for Family Medicine
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/kits/aafp-sustains-fight-to-reduce-administrative-burden-for-family-medicine.html
AAFP Guides CMS on Administrative Simplification Efforts
The AAFP has offered recommendations to CMS on how the agency can improve its efforts to reduce time physicians spend on tasks not directly related to patient care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190813adminsimpletter.html
AAFP, Other Groups Encourage Well Visits for 16-Year-Olds
The AAFP and six other health organizations have published a "Dear Colleague" letter that encourages health care professionals to ensure that adolescent patients present for a well visit at age 16.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190812well16yo.html
AAFP, Medical and Public Health Organizations Call for Fast-tracking Policies To ...
AAFP, Medical and Public Health Organizations Call for Fast-tracking Policies To Prevent Firearm-related Injury and Death
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/more-releases/aafp-medical-and-public-health-organizations-call-for-fast-tracking-policies-to-prevent-firearm-related-injury-and-death.html
USPSTF: Don't Routinely Screen Adults for Pancreatic Cancer
Based on current evidence, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a final recommendation statement against routinely screening asymptomatic adults for pancreatic cancer. This guidance does not apply to patients who are at high risk for the disease.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190807uspstfpancreaticca.html
AAFP Launches New Audio Journal Products
Two new audio products from the AAFP provide members easy access to select content from the Academy journals FPM and American Family Physician.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190806journalaudio.html
Value of Physical Exam Is Far More Than Meets the Eye
A new study documents family physicians' experiences and perceptions of the physical examination, which they reported can have both objective and subjective benefits in caring for patients.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190805physexamstudy.html
Residents Focus Discussions on Training, Patient Care
During this year's National Congress of Family Medicine Residents, participants adopted measures on various topics, including opioid use disorder treatment and support for residents whose programs close unexpectedly.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190731nc-rescongress.html
Students Focus on Physician Wellness, Additional Training
During the 2019 National Congress of Student Members in Kansas City, Mo., delegates adopted multiple resolutions that addressed protecting physician wellness and requested additional training.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190731nc-studentcongress.html
Many Maps, One Aim: Charting a Course to Family Medicine
The 2019 National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students kicked off with a moving main-stage storytelling presentation centered on the theme "Exploring More."
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190731nc-storytelling.html
Resiliency Program Reduces Burnout Symptoms in FM Residents
Results of a small trial showed a resiliency program was effective in reducing burnout symptoms in family medicine residents. In addition to reducing some symptoms in the short term, researchers noted that there were no significant increases in any burnout measurements in the long term.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190730resiliencystudy.html
Screen Pregnant Women for HBV at First Prenatal Visit
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a final recommendation statement and evidence review on screening pregnant women for hepatitis B virus infection. Based on that review, the USPSTF recommended screening pregnant women for HBV at their first prenatal visit to help ...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190729uspstfhbvfinal.html
ACOG, AAP Update Guidance on Group B Strep in Infants
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics recently coordinated to issue updated guidance on preventing and managing group B streptococcal infection in infants.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190724groupbstrep.html
New Study, Guidance Affirm Transgender Patients' Care Needs
A recent study and updated clinical guidance remind physicians that treating transgender patients starts with providing solid primary care services along with nonjudgmental communication.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190724lgbtcare.html
ABFM Certification Pilot Proves Worthy Alternative
The American Board of Family Medicine has announced it is extending its Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment pilot through 2020. After six months as a participant, AAFP Senior Vice President for Education Clif Knight, M.D., shares his take on the alternative exam.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/20190724gst-ed-fmcla.html
CDC Urges Physicians to Rapidly Recognize, Report AFM Cases
As the late summer/early fall 'season' for acute flaccid myelitis nears, the CDC is reminding medical professionals what they should look for to quickly recognize AFM symptoms and report suspected cases to their health department.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190722mmwr-afm.html
Offer Interventions to Prevent Tobacco Use in Kids, Teens
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently posted a draft recommendation statement examining how primary care interventions affect tobacco use prevention and cessation in children and adolescents.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190719uspstfyouthsmoking.html
Truth Initiative Smoking Imagery Study Sparks Change
Truth Initiative, which focuses on dissuading youth and young adults from using tobacco, has released a report indicating that depictions of tobacco use in youth-rated broadcast/cable and streaming content rose by more than 379% in one year.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190717tobaccoimages.html
Study Tests Protocol to Expand Use of Medical Translators
Recent research identified benefits and drawbacks to a protocol in which medical assistants arranged for language translation during the rooming process -- before the clinician ever entered the room.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190717translationstudy.html
What Do FM Residents Know About Environmental Health?
Results of a survey of Canadian family medicine residents suggest substantial gaps exist in their knowledge about and training on environmental health issues.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190717residentenvirohealth.html
Study Examines Causes of High-severity Malpractice Cases
New research indicates that more than one out of three cases of medical malpractice that result in death or permanent disability can be linked to inaccurate or delayed diagnosis.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190716diagnosisstudy.html
Researchers Push Primary Care Teams to 'Power Up'
Researchers describe a new model that extends clinician visits to team visits by pairing each physician with highly trained nurses or medical assistants.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190716primarycareteams.html
Webinar Will Cover Best Practices for Tapering Opioids
The National Academy of Medicine will host a free webinar from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT on July 22 to discuss best practices and evidence standards on tapering patients off opioids. NAM plans to publish a discussion paper that builds on the webinar early next year.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190710opioidtaper.html
Be a Voice for Change in Health Care
National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students speaker Michael Richardson, M.D., has found numerous avenues to be an advocate for patients and family medicine.;National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students speaker Michael Richardson, M.D., ...
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190708fdf-richardson.html
USPSTF Recommends Screening Older Men Who Smoked for AAA
On June 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft recommendation statement on screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in asymptomatic patients. Men ages 65-75 who smoke or used to smoke benefit most from screening; the task force recommends one-time screening with ...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190708uspstf-aaascreen.html
ACIP Approves New Guidance on HPV, Pneumococcal Vaccines
During the June 26-27 meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the group voted to update its recommendations for use of the nine-valent HPV and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190703acipjunemtg.html
AAFP Joins U.S. Call to Action on Climate Change
The AAFP has joined more than 70 other organizations in signing on to the U.S. Call to Action on Climate, Health and Equity: A Policy Action Agenda. The document features 10 policy recommendations that government leaders can use to address climate change.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190702climatecall2action.html
Bringing Family Medicine's Past to Bear on Its Future
Aaron George, D.O., was inspired to follow in his uncle's footsteps as his hometown's family physician, but an opportunity to help expand the region's primary care pipeline altered his career path.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190701fdf-george.html
AAFP Backs Breastfeeding, Lactation for Medical Trainees
The AAFP has updated its policy supporting breastfeeding and lactation accommodations for medical trainees, which other medical organizations plan to use as model policy for their members.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190626breastfeedpolicy.html
Academy Pinpoints Strengths, Weaknesses in Draft Senate Bill
In detailed feedback to lawmakers on the Lower Health Care Costs Act, the AAFP applauded the bill's reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program while calling for increased funding for the program.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190626lhccaletter.html
AAFP Fine-tunes Proposed Rule on GME, Rural Workforce
A proposed CMS rule that could boost the primary care workforce without creating additional administrative burden needs refinement, the Academy told the agency in a recent letter.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190626proposedippsrule.html
AAFP Offers Guidance on Depression Care After ACS Events
The AAFP has released a clinical practice guideline on screening for and treating depression after acute coronary syndrome. The guideline updates and replaces the Academy's guideline on detecting and treating depression after myocardial infarction, which was published in 2009 and ...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190625depressacsgdln.html
Bill to Ease Student Loan Debt Burden Wins AAFP Support
In a statement to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business, the AAFP called for passage of the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190620studentdebtbill.html
Do Residents' Skills Match Medicare Patients' Needs?
New research suggests that family medicine residents' training does not align with the most common procedures that Medicare patients need.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190620proceduretraining.html
AAFP Sends Administration Detailed Advice on Interoperability
In three letters sent this month, the AAFP provided feedback on proposed health IT rules meant to promote exchange of information in EHRs.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190619HITletters.html
AAFP Delegation Stands Up for Residency Teaching Faculty
AAFP delegates supported physicians-in-training during this year's AMA House of Delegates annual meeting as they sought to ensure that their instructors can devote adequate time to teaching duties.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190619ama-educ.html