White House Call for ‘Family’ Vaccination Needs Family Physicians
The administration’s new plan to increase COVID-19 immunization in the face of the omicron variant needs a booster shot of primary care.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20211207itt-covidvacc.html
Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics: 30 Years of Filling Gaps
As Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics marks its 30th anniversary, Mark Deutchman, M.D., writes that all family physicians who offer obstetrics care can benefit from the regularly updated, evidence-based course.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/20211202guested-also.html
Survey Finds COVID-19 Misinformation Continues to Spread
Findings from a new Kaiser Family Foundation report indicate that a substantial number of people either believe or are unsure about false statements regarding COVID-19 and the vaccines used to prevent it. The AAFP offers several resources to help FPs educate patients.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211130vaccmisinfo.html
AAFP OKs Plan for All U.S. Adults to Get COVID-19 Boosters
The AAFP has approved recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that allow for administration of a single booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in all U.S. adults 18 and older.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211123covidboosters.html
Don’t Screen for COPD in Asymptomatic Adults, Says USPSTF
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is welcoming comments on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on screening asymptomatic adults for COPD.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211122uspstfcopd.html
AFP Updates Members on Asthma Management
AFP has published a summary of the federal government’s recent asthma management guideline update, as well as an editorial that explains how the update differs from recommendations released by other organizations.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211118afpasthma.html
2022 Immunization Schedules Updated at November ACIP Meeting
Immunization schedules for children, adolescents and adults, as well as vaccines for hepatitis B, orthopoxviruses and Ebola, were among the topics discussed at this month’s meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211118acip.html
Time to End Predatory Payment Practices, AAFP Tells CMS
In a recent letter to CMS, the AAFP called on the agency to rein in health plans’ practice of using third-party vendors, which often charge mandatory extra fees, to process payments to physicians via the electronic funds transfer transaction standard.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20211103eftlettercms.html
USPSTF Publishes Draft Recommendations on Vision Problems
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is accepting comments on a pair of draft recommendation statements that found insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for primary open-angle glaucoma or impaired visual acuity in certain populations.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211115uspstfvision.html
Get Started in Value-based Care — With AAFP Resources
The November/December FPM takes a deep dive into value-based care and associated payment models, exploring this move away from quantity-focused fee-for-service in three different articles. Other new AAFP resources are also available.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20211112vbcresources.html
WPSI Accepting Public Comments on New Draft Recommendations
New draft recommendations on contraception and HIV infection from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative have been posted on the organization’s website; the deadline for the public to submit comments is Nov. 24.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211109wpsi.html
AAFP Pledges Support for Equity in Health Tech Tools
The AAFP has joined 40 other health care and advocacy organizations, health technology firms, and other stakeholder groups in committing to a prescribed set of principles that aim to ensure digital health technologies support diversity and promote equity.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20211108digitaltechpledge.html
Report: Overhaul Transition From Med School to Residency
A recent report called for a comprehensive overhaul of the process that transitions medical students to residency training. The AAFP already is taking steps that address many of the recommendations.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20211102ugrcrecs.html
Social Determinants Grab Spotlight in New Obesity Report
The latest findings of an annual obesity report shed new light on how social determinants of health and COVID-19 have contributed to the obesity crisis in the United States.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211028stateofobesity.html
Three AAFP Presidents, One Message: Stabilize Primary Care
Three AAFP presidents this week call on Congress to stabilize primary care. Stephanie Quinn, AAFP senior vice president of advocacy, practice advancement and policy, details their agenda in the In the Trenches Blog.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20211026itt-hillmeetings.html
Maintaining Empathy in Vaccine Discussions Is Key
Talking with patients about the COVID-19 vaccines has been challenging for many family physicians. In this Fresh Perspectives post, Tate Hinkle, M.D., M.P.H., shares some of his own experiences and reminds members why it’s important to keep having these conversations.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20211025fp-empathy.html
USPSTF Revises Recommendation on Aspirin to Prevent CVD
A new draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease differs substantially from the task force’s current recommendation. Sarah Coles, M.D., chair of the AAFP’s Commission on Health of the Public and Science, ...
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211021aspirincvd.html
Member Feedback Shapes Academy Priorities
The results of this year’s Member Satisfaction Survey show that members continue to see high value in the AAFP’s efforts. Overall satisfaction rose this year — a year of a pandemic in which family physicians had more need than ever for a bold champion.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20211021satisfaction.html
Academy Backs Push for HDHP Primary Care Deductible Waivers
The AAFP recently wrote in support of the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act, which would allow the waiver of primary care and telehealth deductibles through 2023 for patients covered by high-deductible health plans.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20211020hdhpwaivers.html
Task Force Makes Recommendations on SUD, Pain, Mental Health
A new Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force formed by the AMA with the AAFP and others has issued recommendations to improve access to care and harm-reduction strategies for patients with pain, substance use disorders or mental illness.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211014sudpain.html
AAFP Urges Better Broadband for Telehealth, Health Equity
AAFP President Sterling Ransone, M.D., testified to a Senate subcommittee that improved broadband access is essential for building on the success of telehealth that has been seen during the pandemic.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20211012telehealth.html
Army Docs Inspired Pilot’s Path to Family Medicine
Maj. Mike Brisson, D.O., M.P.H., Ph.D., a winner of the AAFP’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education, was inspired to go to medical school by the osteopathic flight surgeons who treated him during his deployment in Afghanistan.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20211012fdf-brisson.html
Low-dose Aspirin Recommended to Prevent Preeclampsia
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently posted a final statement recommending low-dose aspirin as preventive medication after 12 weeks’ gestation in people at high risk for preeclampsia.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211007uspstfpreeclampsia.html
COVID-19 Continues to Cause Some People to Put Off Care
Two family physicians offer advice about helping patients catch up on health care in response to two recent reports about delayed and missed care during the pandemic.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20211006delayedcare.html
Physician Employment Questions? The AAFP Has You Covered
AAFP members need look no further than the Academy’s Employment Contracting webpage to find the information they need to land just the right job opportunity and negotiate an employment agreement that meets their personal and professional needs.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20211005employresources.html
Inspirational FPs Are Speaking Out to Protect Patients
For National Primary Care Week, medical student Amy Hoffman writes in the Leader Voices Blog about family physicians who are making their voices heard and combatting misinformation during the pandemic.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20211001lv-npcw.html
How Our Community Practice Took On COVID ― and Beat It
When COVID-19 came to Lazarus Gehring, M.D.’s upstate New York community last year, he and his practice partners and staff saw they had an opportunity to do something historic. Yet they still managed to surprise themselves. Learn more in this FPs on the Front Lines blog post.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/fpsonfrontlines/entry/20210930fl-gehringcovid.html
Screening Recommended for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
A final recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in all sexually active women 24 years or younger, as well as those who are older and at increased risk for infection.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210929uspstfuspstfgcct.html
New AAFP President: Fight Back Against Misinformation
In a Sept. 28 speech during the Family Medicine Experience, new AAFP President Sterling Ransone, M.D., shared his path to leadership and urged others to be advocates for patients and family medicine.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20210928fmx-ransone.html
Academy Lobbies to Center COVID Solutions on Primary Care
In a letter to President Biden, the AAFP called for the Path Out of the Pandemic plan to adopt recommendations that support primary care physicians.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20210923popplan.html
Are You a Champion of Family Medicine?
The AAFP Degree of Fellow will mark its 50th anniversary in 2022. We asked four of our new physician bloggers what earning the distinction meant to them.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20210921fp-fellow.html
Can We Create a Space of Moderation in This Pandemic?
In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, MaryAnn Dakkak, M.D., M.S.P.H., discusses her and her family’s experiences with COVID-19 while looking for ways that people can discuss the pandemic effectively.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20210920fp-coviddiscussion.html
ALSO Mentor Prepares Peers for Obstetrical Emergencies
University of Wisconsin Professor Lee Dresang, M.D., has devoted more than two decades to helping ensure his peers at home and abroad are prepared for Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20210920fdf-dresang.html
New Influenza Vaccine Recommendations for 2021-2022 Season
The AAFP has approved updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on the use of influenza vaccines for the 2021-2022 season.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210916acipflu.html
AAFP Calls on CMS to Act to Stabilize Primary Care Practices
The Academy’s detailed comments on CMS’ 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule pressed for policy improvements on a number of fronts.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20210916mpfscomments.html
Join Leading Physician Well-being’s 2022 Cohort
Leading Physician Well-being, a tuition-free program from the AAFP and United Health Foundation that seeks to foster physician leadership skills to promote and maintain stability, boost team morale, and support well-being in the workplace, is seeking applicants for the 2022 program.
AAFP News : Focus on Physician Well-being
https://www.aafp.org/news/focus-on-physician-well-being/20210915lpwcohort2.html
It’s High Time We Took the Tech Bull by the Horns
Family physicians need to carve out a definitive role in the development of new health technologies so those solutions fit the needs of robust primary care practices, says Lalita Abhyankar, M.D., in this Fresh Perspectives blog post.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20210913fp-healthtech.html
Candidates Sought for AAFP 2021-22 Health Equity Fellowship
The AAFP and Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors are seeking family physicians to apply for the 2021-22 Health Equity Fellowship; applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. CT on Oct. 15.
AAFP News : Inside the Academy
https://www.aafp.org/news/inside-aafp/20210909hefellowship.html
Osteopathic Workshop to Emphasize Comprehensive Approach
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center physician Jarrod Harrall, D.O., answers our questions about The Osteopathic Approach: FMX Preconference Workshop.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20210909doapproach.html
Surprise Billing Rule Shouldn’t Levy New Burdens, AAFP Says
The AAFP recently expressed support for new patient protections but called on CMS to minimize unnecessary regulatory burdens on primary care practices.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20210909billingrule.html
AAFP Applauds Recommendation Regarding Physicians Spreading COVID-19 Misinformation
AAFP Applauds Recommendation Regarding Physicians Spreading COVID-19 Misinformation
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/statements/aafp--recommendation-covid-misinformation.html
USPSTF Lowers Screening Age for Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes
On Aug. 24, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a final recommendation statement, final evidence review and evidence summary on screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210908uspstfdiabetes.html
ONC Webinar to Outline How Information Blocking Affects You
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will host a Sept. 14 webinar designed to update physicians on the finer points of recently implemented information-blocking regulations.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20210908infoblockwebinar.html
AAFP Updates Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation
The AAFP’s updated recommendation on colorectal cancer screening differs slightly from that of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including a finding that there is insufficient evidence to assess the benefits and harms of screening adults ages 45 to 49.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210901crcscreening.html
Medical Student Finding Ways to Connect with Patients, Peers
Communication is the common thread in the numerous projects medical student Valentina Sedlacek is undertaking to help patients and draw her peers to family medicine.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20210830fdf-sedlacek.html
USPSTF: Screen Pregnant Patients for Gestational Diabetes
On Aug. 10, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a final recommendation statement that recommends screening for gestational diabetes in asymptomatic pregnant patients at 24 weeks gestation or later.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210825uspstfgd.html
Participants Share Lessons Learned From Virtual Match
With another residency interview season approaching, AAFP News gathered a program director, a student advisor and an intern to get their insights from the 2021 virtual Match and their thoughts regarding 2022. Read more in this QandA.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20210824matchqa.html
ACIP Revises Immunization Best Practice Guidelines
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made a series of updates to its General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization on Aug. 10 to provide clinicians with the latest guidance and address patient concerns.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210823acipbestpract.html
Three New Reports Highlight Importance of COVID Vaccination
Three new CDC studies reviewed the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in preventing infections and hospitalizations, and an AAFP commission chair highlights takeaways for FPs.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210820mmwrcovidvaccs.html
Review Examines Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents
New research published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report examines the safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20210819mmwrcovidvacc.html