Physicians Deserve to Be Safe at Work. Are We?
The murders of multiple physicians prompted Margaux Lazarin, D.O., M.P.H., to ponder what physicians, their employers and legislators can do to make health care settings safer. Read more in this Fresh Perspectives blog post.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181112fp-safety.html
Embrace Change and Tech to Shape Our Future
In this Leader Voices Blog post, AAFP President-elect Gary LeRoy, M.D., ponders the future of family medicine, including the Academy's new informatics technology initiative.
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https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181107lv-change.html
State Legislative Conference Offers Insight Into 2019's Top Issues
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin offers highlights from the Academy's annual State Legislative Conference.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20181106itt-elections.html
Should We Talk Politics With Patients?
As this year's contentious midterm campaigns draw to a close, Chris Baumert, M.D., ponders how physicians should handle patients' political questions.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181105fp-politics.html
What Do Women Think? If You Only Knew …
Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., ponders how the workplace might improve if men better understood a woman's perspective.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181031lv-women.html
Why We Need More Physician Entrepreneurs
In an era of increasing physician employment, Allison Edwards, M.D., explains why she chose to open her own practice and why she thinks others should, too.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181030fp-entrepreneurs.html
A Look Ahead to Election Day and a Look Back at FMX
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin offers his thoughts on the upcoming election and his top five highlights from the recent Family Medicine Experience.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20181023itt-fmxtop5.html
Millennials Don't Have PCPs; Here's Why They Should
Nearly half of 18- to 29-year-olds say they don't have a primary care physician. Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., makes the case for why they should.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181022fp-millennials.html
We Shouldn't Have to Struggle to Put Patients First
U.S. hospital care costs exceeded $1 trillion last year. In this Leader Voices Blog post, Leonard Reeves, M.D. -- a bargain newborn in 1954 at $43.45 -- says the industrial approach to medicine must change.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181019lv-patientsfirst.html
A Workforce Without Women? Good Luck, Chuck
Kimberly Becher, M.D., responds to recent statements by politicians who questioned women's place in the workforce. Spoiler alert: She's not amused.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181016fp-nowomen.html
FPs Are Answer to Rural Maternity Care Crisis
Many rural communities are losing access to maternity care. AAFP President John Cullen, M.D., writes in the Leader Voices Blog that his rural Alaska community offers proof that family physicians can fill that void.
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https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181010lv-obdeserts.html
Reclaiming Family Medicine's Broad Scope Benefits Everyone
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin writes that the debate about family medicine scope of practice shouldn't focus just on midlevel providers, but also on subspecialists.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20181009itt-scope.html
Advocating for Our Patients in the #MeToo Era
In words and drawings, Anita Ravi, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.H.P., counters misconceptions regarding sexual violence with truths that she has learned from a clinical practice devoted to helping survivors.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20181009fp-sexualassault.html
We're Making Progress on the Issues That Matter to FPs
As his term comes to an end, Michael Munger, M.D., reflects in this Leader Voices Blog post on his year as AAFP president and ponders the challenges that remain for family medicine.
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https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181008lv-mungerfinale.html
Opportunities to Lead Are at Hand. Seize Them!
As his 10 years of service on the AAFP Board of Directors come to a close, John Meigs, M.D., reflects on his experience in this Leader Voices Blog post and calls for others to follow him.
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https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20181001lv-leadership.html
Gentrification Has Unintended Consequences for Urban Poor
Urban redevelopment has dire consequences for the longtime residents and businesses it displaces. Marie Ramas, M.D., addresses gentrification in her final Fresh Perspectives blog post.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180928fp-gentrification.html
It's Time to Rethink Who Should Be Eligible to Lead ACOs
CMS recently published a proposed rule for accountable care organizations (ACOs). In his latest In the Trenches blog post, AAFP Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin has a recommendation for CMS: Require that all ACOs be led by physicians.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180925itt-acos.html
Why I'm Building a Solo Practice -- Again
More than 30 years into practice, Erica Swegler, M.D., explains in this Leader Voices Blog post why she decided to buck current employment trends and go back to her roots as a solo family physician.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180925lv-solopractice.html
POCUS: A Small Tool With Big Benefits for Primary Care
Alex Mroszczyk-McDonald, M.D., writes that as ultrasound devices get smaller, more powerful and more affordable, they can help reduce costs and improve patient care and safety.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180921fp-pocus.html
I Hired a Community Health Worker and Now We Work Miracles
Patients need doctors, but some need more help to achieve better health. Kimberly Becher, M.D., writes about the dramatic difference a community health worker has made in her practice.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180917fp-commhealth.html
AAFP Offers CMS Five Major Changes to Fee Schedule
The AAFP submitted 92 pages of comments to help CMS create a Medicare physician fee schedule that works for family physicians and their patients. AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin offers a summary in his latest In the Trenches blog post.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180911itt-mpfs.html
A Hiring Manager's Perspective on the Art of Interviewing
Are you looking for a job or preparing for residency interviews? Hiring manager Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., tells you what she's looking for when she's interviewing candidates.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180910fp-interviewer.html
Why Does Equal Pay for Equal Work Still Elude Us?
The compensation gap between male and female physicians is widening. AAFP President Michael Munger, M.D., writes that this inequity is inexcusable and must end.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180907lv-genderpaygap.html
Letting Life Take You by Surprise Can Stave Off Burnout
Physicians have the highest suicide rate in the nation. Kurt Bravata, M.D., ponders the need to recharge our batteries and reinforce the things that drew us into health care.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180905fp-engage.html
Don't Forget Why You Chose Medicine in the First Place
Leonard Reeves, M.D., writes that remembering why you chose a career in medicine can be as important as how you go about pursuing that career.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180904lv-yourwhy.html
And Down the Stretch They Come
As we near the final stretch of the midterm campaigns, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin explains how FamMedPAC supports candidates who support primary care.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180828itt_midterms.html
Conflicting Beliefs Shouldn't Hinder Patient Care
Recent news of pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions raises a question: What happens when the beliefs of a health care professional conflict with those of a patient?
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180828lv-pharmrefusal.html
Putting My Broad-scope Training to the Test
Tate Hinkle, M.D., and his primary care colleagues tested the limits of their broad-scope training when a wave of subspecialists left their small, rural community.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180827fp-subspecialists.html
The Illogical Cost of Care: Why Do We Stand for It?
Allison Edwards, M.D., and colleagues banded together to erase more than $1 million of patients' medical debt. But for others, cost and lack of transparency lead to financial crisis. Learn more in this Fresh Perspectives blog post.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180821fp-carecost.html
Proposed Changes to QPP: What You Need to Know
In the second post of a two-part analysis, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin outlines proposed changes to the MACRA Quality Payment Program.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180814itt_feeschedule2.html
Employers Must Play Active Role in Burnout Prevention
For the good of patients, physicians and the bottom line, employers have to start doing more to promote physician wellness and prevent burnout, writes Lalita Abhyankar, M.D., M.H.S., in this Fresh Perspectives blog post.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180814fp-burnoutemployers.html
Team-based Care Needs Greater Support
Intern John Heafner, M.D., M.P.H., writes that students and residents understand the value of learning and working in a team-based model. He says payers need to follow suit.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180813lv-teamcare.html
Rural Locums Provide Balance for Urban Doc
Mixing rural locum tenens shifts with her urban direct primary care practice keeps Allison Edwards, M.D., balanced and allows her to work at the full breadth of her training.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180806fp-locums.html
Why Am I a Family Physician? Because FPs Are the 'Real Docs'
Why family medicine? In this Leader Voices Blog post, Leonard Reeves, M.D., makes the case for students to choose the specialty and for policymakers to invest more in it.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180803lv-fmchoice.html
Early Thoughts on the 2019 Fee Schedule
AAFP staff members are reviewing the 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule. In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin shares some initial reactions based on the Academy's early evaluation of the proposal.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180731itt_feeschedule.html
Game Over? WHO Decision on Gaming Disorder Raises Questions
The World Health Organization recently recognized gaming disorder as being a mental health condition. In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, Luis Garcia, M.D., looks at what that could mean for family physicians and patients.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180727fp-gaming.html
Opportunities, Not Incentives, Drive PCPs to Do Better
In his final Fresh Perspectives blog post, Ryan Neuhofel, D.O., M.P.H., writes that policymakers should abandon the carrot-and-stick approach to payment schemes and give physicians time to provide better care.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180720fp-opportunity.html
Drawings From Detention: Assisting Asylum Seekers
Anita Ravi, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.H.P., recently visited the nation's largest family detention center to help asylum seekers. She shares her experience in words and drawings in the Fresh Perspectives blog.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180717fp-asylum.html
It's Still the Prices, Stupid
High drug prices are driving dramatic increases in health care costs. In the latest In the Trenches blog post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin looks at how HHS and the AAFP are responding.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180717itt_drugs.html
Xanax Is Not the Answer to Xenophobia
Fear and anxiety are rampant in our society lately. Leonard Reeves, M.D., writes in this Leader Voices Blog post that people need to recognize the true motivation behind their fears and think rationally.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180716lv-fear.html
FPs See How Much Continuity of Care Matters
A recent analysis in BMJ found that continuity of care decreases mortality. John Meigs, M.D., shares a recent example of why that's the case.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180709lv-continuity.html
Back to Work: Adjusting Bit by Bit
After taking a two-year break from daily practice to raise twins, Meshia Waleh, M.D., writes in the Fresh Perspectives blog that her next great adventure involves a new job in a new state.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180705fp-waleh.html
Robert Graham Center Is Vital Tool for Family Medicine
The Robert Graham Center recently published a report that offers a treasure trove of facts about family medicine. As the center marks its 19th year, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin looks at how it works to advance primary care.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180703itt-rgc.html
AMA House of Delegates Weighs In on Health Equity
In this Leader Voices Blog post, AAFP President Michael Munger, M.D., reports from the recent annual meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, which took several actions related to health equity.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180702amahod.html
Why I'm Optimistic About the Future of Primary Care
In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., shares lessons she has learned from the students and residents she trains, saying they give her hope for our future.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180702fp-trainees.html
Managing the Vacuum of Freedom After Residency
After being told what their next steps should be for years, graduating residents now get to choose their own path. Allison Edwards, M.D., writes in this Fresh Perspectives blog post that they shouldn't panic.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180626fp-endtraining.html
AAFP, Others Drive Home Opioid Message on Capitol Hill
Leaders from the AAFP and five other physician organizations converged on Capitol Hill June 18 to advocate for solutions to the nation's opioid crisis. Michael Munger, M.D., gives more details in this Leader Voices Blog post.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180622lv-opioidvisits.html
AAFP Survey Reveals DPC Trends
As we prepare for the annual Direct Primary Care Summit, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin shares the results of the AAFP's recent survey related to DPC.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180619ITT_DPC.html
Delaying Visa Approvals Would Harm Medical Training, Patients
As a new training year approaches, many international medical graduates are waiting for H1-B visa approvals. The AAFP and others have been pressing the administration to expedite the process.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180619lv-visaapproval.html
What I Learned as a New Physician
In her final Fresh Perspectives blog post, Beth Oller, M.D., reflects on what she has learned in her first seven years as a small, rural practice owner.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180615fp-ollerfinale.html