USPSTF: Screen for HIV in Patients Ages 15-65
On June 11, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted final recommendation statements and evidence reports on screening for and preventing HIV infection.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190619uspstfhivfinal.html
My Message to Students: Why Family Medicine Matters
Marking the sixth anniversary of his graduation from residency, Kurt Bravata, M.D., reflects on what he wishes every first-year medical student knew about family medicine.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20190619fpwhyfm.html
Command Performance: Caring for Families in the Line of Duty
The way Lt. Col. Kevin Kelly, M.D., M.B.A., sees it, his patients should always have access to the medical care they need -- even if they're in the middle of a war zone or providing relief in a hurricane-ravaged community.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190617fdf-kkelly.html
Wonca Seeks New CEO to Head Global Operations
The World Organization of Family Doctors, better known as Wonca, is seeking a CEO to take the reins of this global, not-for-profit academic umbrella organization that represents more than 550,000 family and general practice physicians.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190617woncaceo.html
We Made It Through Residency. Here's How You Can, Too
As Astrud Villareal, M.D., D.I.M.P.H., wraps up her training, she and her mentors offer some tips for the new class of family medicine interns.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20190612fp-interntips.html
AAFP, Other Medical Groups Update Sports Physical Guidance
The AAFP has joined with five other medical organizations to update the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Monograph, which provides guidance to physicians and other clinicians on properly administering the PPE, also known as the sports physical.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190611ppeupdate.html
Going the Extra Mile for Transgender Patients
When Izzy Lowell, M.D., M.B.A., realized how great the need was for transgender care in her region, she created a five-state practice to fill the void.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190610fdf-lowell.html
AAFP Advises CMS on Making Value-based Model Work for FPs
The AAFP responded to a CMS request for information with suggestions on refining one of the five new payment models the agency announced this spring.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190605geopbp.html
AMA Opioid Task Force Outlines Road Map to End Epidemic
The AMA Opioid Task Force, to which the AAFP belongs, released recommendations on May 30 that call on policymakers to eliminate barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190605amaopioidtf.html
Study: Talking About Medication Costs Yields Rewards
Researchers found that a 60-minute training intervention with physician practices helped increase the frequency of cost-of-medication conversations with patients, which, in turn, enabled clinicians to identify those for whom cost was a specific barrier.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190605costconversations.html
Proposed Rule Would Hurt Transgender Patients, Women, Say Groups
A coalition that includes the AAFP recently objected to an HHS proposed rule that could allow discrimination against transgender people and restrict women's access to health care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190603-1557rule.html
Study Links Patient Appointment Times, Cancer Screening Rates
New research suggests that patients' appointment time may factor into whether their primary care physician refers them for breast and/or colorectal cancer screening.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190531visit-time.html
AAFP Seeks Applicants for 2019-20 Health Equity Fellowship
Building on a successful inaugural run, the AAFP and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors are seeking applicants for the yearlong 2019-20 health equity fellowship.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190529healthequityfellow.html
Sharp Rise Seen in Teen Self-Poisoning Suicide Attempts
Rates of attempted suicide by self-poisoning among U.S. adolescents and young adults have more than doubled in the past decade. Among girls and young women, rates nearly tripled during that period.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190529self-poison.html
Lawmakers Need Guidance to Fix U.S. 'Wealth Care' Culture
The Family Medicine Advocacy Summit opened with detailed advice on how FPs can use stories and data to win greater support from legislators for primary care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190528fmas-caseforpc.html
FPs Opine on Practice Transformation Network Experience
New research from the American Board of Family Medicine examines why physicians joined a practice transformation network, what they expected and what they got from the experience.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190528ptnetworsks.html
Four Projects Aim to Shape Future of Family Medicine
The AAFP has launched new work that aims to move the needle for family medicine by focusing on administrative burden, public perception, advocacy and improving member interactions with the Academy.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190517specialprojects.html
AAFP Objects to Interference With Doctor-Patient Relationship
The Academy and five peer physician organizations are strongly objecting to aggressive political interference in the physician-patient relationship that jeopardizes patients' access to lawful care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190517interference.html
Academy Gives Senate Strong Prescription to Improve MACRA
In recent Senate testimony, the Academy recommended key fixes for the framework of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, including reducing complexity.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190515macrasenate.html
CDC: Three in Five Pregnancy-related Deaths May Be Preventable
Sixty percent of pregnancy-related deaths in 2011-2015 for which timing was known were preventable, according to a new CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190515maternaldeath.html
Frontline Physicians Call on Politicians to End Political Interference in the Delivery ...
Our health care system faces many challenges. We call on policymakers to partner with us to advance policies that protect the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship, expand access to timely, evidence-based health care, and eliminate health disparities in our nation.
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/more-statements/physicians-call-on-politicians-to-end-political-interference-in-the-delivery-of-evidence-based-medicine.html
AAFP Joins Push to Delay New Diagnostic Imaging Requirements
The AAFP and 21 other medical organizations recently urged CMS to delay the appropriate use criteria program's educational and operations testing year.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190514aucletter.html
FPs Support Postpartum Group Visits for Nutrition Education
New research shows how family physicians can implement group visits to teach new mothers about nutrition for themselves and their infants.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190514postpartumgroup.html
Study Finds Family Physicians Offer More Value for Services
A comprehensive analysis of Medicare claims data revealed that on a per-patient basis, low-value care spending is less when care is provided by family physicians rather than by other primary care physicians.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190508low-value.html
Youth Tobacco Use Demands Stronger FDA Response, Groups Say
The AAFP recently joined with 35 other organizations in signing on to a letter that calls on the FDA to take more forceful action against youths' use of e-cigarettes and related tobacco products.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190508youthsmoking.html
AAFP Recruiting for Ask and Act Office Champions Project
The AAFP is recruiting 20 family medicine practices to participate in its yearlong Reimagining Ask and Act Office Champions Project. Practices have until May 31 to apply.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190508reimagineask-act.html
Panelists Describe Turning Passion Into Patient Advocacy
Panelists speaking at the AAFP's National Conference of Constituency Leaders on April 25 highlighted how they built on their passion for patient care to expand their advocacy efforts outside the office setting and effect change in their communities.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190507nccl-advocacypanel.html
ACLF Speakers Urge FPs to Advocate for Health System Reform
During a panel discussion on health system reform at the AAFP's 2019 Annual Chapter Leader Forum, speakers said politicians are unlikely to change the health care system without action by patients and physicians.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190506aclf-2020.html
Family Physicians Go Big With Advocacy Agenda
Family physicians at the 2019 National Conference of Constituency Leaders discussed and voted on several resolutions considered during the April 26 Reference Committee on Advocacy hearing.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190503nccl-advocacy.html
FPs Call for Expanding Education Topics in Residency
During the 2019 National Conference of Constituency Leaders, delegates acted on a number of resolutions considered during the Reference Committee on Education hearing that was held April 26.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190503nccl-educ.html
HHS, CDC Address Ongoing Measles Outbreaks
As the number of confirmed measles cases continues to rise, the CDC is pulling out all the stops to emphasize the importance of childhood vaccination and prevent more people from becoming infected.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190501latestmeasles.html
FPs Hammer Out Practice-related Measures for AAFP to Take Up
Members who testified before the National Conference of Constituency Leaders Reference Committee on Practice Enhancement on April 26 discussed issues that affect patient care, including obstetrical privileges and HIV preexposure prophylaxis.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190501nccl-practenhance.html
Academy Takes Aim at Maternal Mortality Crisis
The AAFP is building a coalition and taking other concrete steps to address the nation's maternal mortality crisis and to ensure that family physicians can be part of the solution.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190501maternalmortality.html
Delegates Focus on Race in Medicine, Gender-affirming Care
During the 2019 National Conference of Constituency Leaders, delegates acted on numerous resolutions considered by the Reference Committee on Health of the Public and Science, many of which focused on addressing race-based aspects of medical care and implicit bias.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190501nccl-hops.html
NCCL Delegates Reject Purity Politics for PAC
Delegates to the National Conference of Constituency Leaders considered resolutions on FamMedPAC donation strategy and making AAFP meetings more welcoming to families, among other issues.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190430nccl-orgfinance.html
AAFP Immunization Resources Keep FPs Informed
The AAFP is mailing all active and resident family physician members full-color laminated copies of the 2019 adult, childhood/adolescent and catch-up immunization schedules.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190429immschedsmailed.html
Family Physicians Learn to Say 'Yes, And …'
When things get awkward, "that's when you're learning something," Belinda Fu, M.D., told audience members during the April 25 plenary that launched the National Conference of Constituency Leaders.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20190426nccl-plenary.html
AAFP Endorses Guidelines on Venous Thromboembolism Dx
The AAFP recently endorsed guidelines on the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) that were developed by the American Society of Hematology. The guidelines evaluated diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis of the lower and upper extremities, and recurrent...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190424vtegdline.html
AAFP Advocates for State Primary Care Spending Bills
The AAFP and state chapters are championing bills that would recognize the crucial role of primary care in ensuring patients' health.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190424statespending.html
Expert Lists Ways to Boost Adolescent Immunization Rates
AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship alumnus John Merrill-Steskal, M.D., of Ellensburg, Wash., recently took time to speak with AAFP News about strategies he uses to keep adolescent immunization rates high in his practice.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190424vaccineq-a.html
Questions About CME Credit? AAFP Has Answers
In this QandA, Steven Furr, M.D., chair of the AAFP's Commission on Continuing Professional Development, tackles frequently asked questions about CME and AAFP credit.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190423aafpcme.html
Caring for Herself Lets Her Better Care for Others
When the demands of being a physician took their toll on her health, Shani Muhammad, M.D., took steps to improve her own fitness and alter the way she practices medicine.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190422fdf-muhammad.html
USPSTF: More Research Needed on Screening for Lead Exposure
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says in its final recommendation statement that current evidence is insufficient to support routine screening for elevated blood lead levels in asymptomatic children and pregnant women.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190419uspstfleadfinal.html
Cultural Humility Is Critical to Health Equity
Ada Stewart, M.D., writes that cultural competence is not the endpoint that physicians should be striving for in the care of diverse populations. Cultural humility is important, too.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20190418lv-humility.html
FPM Showcases Tools Available to Improve Dementia Care
A research report published in the January/February issue of FPM gathered and presented evidence-based tools family physicians can use to improve care for patients with dementia.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20190416fpmdementia.html
Taking a 'Measure What You Treasure' Approach to Burnout
Speakers at a session held during the AAFP's Residency Program Solutions conference focused on one residency's experience of identifying burnout and building a wellness culture.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20190416beyondburnout.html
FP Is Taking a Direct Approach to Making Things Better
Allison Edwards, M.D., isn't shy about sharing her opinion when things need improvement. At two upcoming AAFP events, she'll share her perspective as a direct primary care practice owner.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190415fdf-edwards.html
Grandfathering Extension Could Harm Patients, AAFP Warns HHS
Responding to a multi-agency request for information, the Academy told HHS that extending plans that were in place before March 2010 could harm vulnerable patients.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190412grandfatherplans.html
Fix Payment to Improve Veterans' Health Care, AAFP Tells VA
Better payment is needed to ensure a primary care workforce adequate to veterans' needs, the AAFP recently told the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in response to a proposed rule involving veterans receiving primary care outside the VA system.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190409veteransaccess.html
FDA: Some E-cigarette Users Report Having Seizures
The FDA has received reports that some e-cigarette users, especially adolescents and young adults, are experiencing seizures after using the devices. A review of voluntary adverse event reports that have been submitted to the agency and to poison control centers identified 35 cases of ...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190409e-cigseizures.html