Outbreak Brings Patients Running for Vaccinations
As a hepatitis A outbreak in her state reaches 150 cases and counting, Kimberly Becher, M.D., wonders in this Fresh Perspectives blog post if media-induced hysteria might actually help overall vaccination rates.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180612fp-hepa.html
Military Experience Shaped Me as Physician, Leader, Person
Ada Stewart, M.D., who is proud to wear both her white coat and her military uniform, reflects in the Leader Voices Blog on how the U.S. Army Reserve has helped keep her mentally and spiritually well.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180611lv-military.html
Key Issues Face Congress Before Summer Recess
Congress has a lot of work to do before its summer recess and the mid-term election. In the latest In the Trenches blog post, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin looks at some key health care issues legislators must address this summer.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180605ITT_recess.html
Into the Woods: Top Tips for Wilderness Medicine
Wilderness medicine training can prepare you for a journey into the woods. Stewart Decker, M.D., writes in the Fresh Perspectives blog that it also can help in any situation where you have to improvise.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180605fp-wilderness.html
Follow Day of Action With Year-round Effort
Hundreds of family physicians and medical students were on Capitol Hill on May 22. Although lobbying days are important, Leonard Reeves, M.D., writes in the Leader Voices blog that advocacy requires year-round effort.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180604lv-advocacy.html
What a Patient Taught Me About Subtleties of Communication
Recent medical school graduate John Heafner, M.D., M.P.H., writes in the Leader Voices Blog that spending a day with one chronic pain patient taught him an important lesson about communication.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180529lv-communication.html
Bill Would Help Patients With High Deductible Plans
Reps. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have introduced the Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 2018 (H.R. 5858). In the latest In The Trenches blog post, AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin examines why the proposed...
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180529ITT_PCAct.html
Start Saving for Retirement Now
A combination of lengthy training and high debt leads many physicians to delay saving for retirement. In his final Fresh Perspectives blog post, Peter Rippey, M.D., looks at what you should be doing now rather than later.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180529fp-retirement.html
Report: Med Schools Can Do More To Combat Racism
A medical student group issued a review of 10 U.S. medical schools' efforts to combat racism. Venis Wilder, M.D., writes in the Fresh Perspectives blog that the schools received passing grades -- along with an admonishment to do more.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180523fp-race.html
Our Patients Want -- and Need -- To Be Heard
Leonard Reeves, M.D., writes in the Leader Voices Blog that advancing technology and a growing emphasis on the business of health care are straining the patient-physician relationship.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180518lv-hearpatient.html
Exercise Is Medicine. Here's How I Get Patients Started
Ninety percent of Americans don't meet recommendations for physical activity. Alex Mroszczyk-McDonald, M.D., has seen the good that exercise can do, and in this Fresh Perspectives blog post he shares ways to get more patients off the couch.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180516fp-exercise.html
Four Days of Family Medicine Advocacy
Hundreds of family physicians and medical students will be in Washington, D.C., next week for the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit. In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin looks ahead at the popular event.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180515itt_fmas.html
For Your Patients' Sake, Prepare Yourself for PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis significantly lowers the odds of getting HIV from sex and injectable drug use, but Ada Stewart, M.D., writes in the Leader Voices Blog that too few physicians are prescribing it. A session at the Family Medicine Experience can help.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180510lv-prep.html
Moms Need Support, Not Legislated Medicine
A bill in the California Assembly would mandate postpartum depression screening. Margaux Lazarin, D.O., M.P.H., writes that without proper support systems, the proposed legislation won't improve outcomes.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180508fp-postpartum.html
AAFP Board Accepts Recommendations on Continuing Certification
The AAFP Board recently approved recommendations by the Academy's task force on continuing board certification. John Cullen, M.D., writes in the Leader Voices Blog that the recommendations include providing guidance on how to evaluate alternative certifying organizations.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180508lv-boardcert.html
EHR Market Needs Competition, Innovation
Back in 2004, the Bush administration predicted that electronic health records would help clinicians avoid medical mistakes, reduce costs and improve care within 10 years. In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn ...
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180501ITT_ehrs.html
What If Everyone Had a Family Physician?
Securing funding for vital primary care programs is a start, but Leonard Reeves, M.D., writes in this Leader Voices Blog post that the fight continues for the kind of physician workforce our country needs.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180501lv-whatif.html
Acknowledging -- and Overcoming -- My Own Racial Bias
Lalita Abhyankar, M.D., M.H.S., is working on her own racial biases. In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, she questions why our medical institutions and training programs aren't doing the same.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180430fp-bias.html
In Face of Broken Health Care System, I Choose Happiness
Kimberly Becher, M.D., writes that the health care system presents physicians with repeated betrayals of purpose, but patient relationships -- and the right mindset -- can replenish our emotional drives.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180423fp-happiness.html
Advocacy, Like Sailing, Means Navigating Turbulent Seas
John Cullen, M.D., knows the ropes of sailing and advocacy. In this Leader Voices blog post, he says both require teamwork and persistence.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180420lv-sailing.html
Two Approaches to Making Your Point With Patients
Class is back in session as M.P.H. candidate Stewart Decker, M.D., shares his insights from a course on persuasive communication.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180417fp-mph.html
Protecting the Environment, Our Health
April 22 is Earth Day. In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin highlights the AAFP's nearly 50-year-old policy on climate change and pollution and outlines what the Academy is doing now to protect public health...
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180417ITT_earthday.html
Make Our Voices Heard on Continuing Board Certification
AAFP President Michael Munger, M.D., provided comments at a recent hearing about continuing board certification. He urges family physicians to do the same in a survey from the American Board of Medical Specialties.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180417lv-abms.html
More Investment in Primary Care Would Help Mothers, Babies
Obstetric care recommendations implemented in 2012 lowered costs and improved outcomes in Washington, but Carl Olden, M.D., asks in this Leader Voices Blog post whether his home state can do better.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180411lv-obcare.html
Amazon vs. Walmart: Can Corporate America Lower Drug Prices?
Pharmaceutical companies, payers and Congress have been unable -- or unwilling -- to drive down drug costs. Can big retailers make a difference? Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., discusses the issue 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/20180410fp-drugprices.html
AAFP Payment Model Clears Another Hurdle
In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin offers an update on the progress of the Academy's Advanced Primary Care Alternative Payment Model, as well as a summary of how provisions of the recently passed federal ...
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180403ITT_PTAC2.html
Knowing Patient's Story Improves Odds of Happy Ending
Gary LeRoy, M.D., writes in this Leader Voices Blog post that physicians must understand a patient's situation, not just his or her chief complaint. The AAFP has resources to help.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180403lv-socialdeterminants.html
Don't Forget Puerto Rico -- We Didn't
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, a Fort Collins, Colo., family practice created two jobs for displaced workers. John Bender, M.D., M.B.A., shares their stories in this Leader Voices Blog post.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180328lv-puertorico.html
DTC Tests Raise Questions Among Patients, Physicians
With so many questions about the risks and benefits of direct-to-consumer genetic tests that are hitting the market, we asked two of our new physician bloggers for their insights.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180329fp-dtctests.html
Health Care Costs Soar, But Does U.S. Get What It Pays For?
At a time when overall health care costs are skyrocketing, U.S. spending on primary care office visits is in decline. In the latest In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin breaks down the Health Care Cost and Utilization ...
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180320ITT_costs.html
Want to Solve Problems in Public Health? Here's How
Family physician Stewart Decker, M.D., is getting his master's degree in public health and wants you to come along for the ride. In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, he shares what he's learned so far.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180316fp-mph1.html
Congratulations on Your Match! Here's What to Do Next
Now that Match results are out, resident Alexa Mieses, M.D., M.P.H., offers tips to fourth-year medical students on what to do before residency orientation begins.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180316lv-aftermatch.html
Dismissing Osteopathic Manipulation Rubs Me the Wrong Way
In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, Margaux Lazarin, D.O., M.P.H., offers a rebuttal to a recent Forbes article that was critical of osteopathic manipulation.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180313fp-do.html
The Match Can Be Daunting; Here's How to Keep It Simple
The Match is just a week away. Fourth-year medical student John Heafner, M.P.H., offers advice for students who will be going through the process in the future.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180309lv-prematch.html
Independent Research Shows Value of AAFP Advocacy
A Washington research firm evaluated the efficacy and impact of the AAFP's advocacy activities. In this In the Trenches post, Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin shares the results.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180306ITT_research.html
Jumping Through Hoops Wastes My Time, Worsens Outcomes
Kimberly Becher, M.D., writes that insurance denials seem to be increasingly more common -- and, unfortunately, more absurd.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180305fp-denials.html
Congress Needs to Hear From FPs -- Here's Your Chance
AAFP President-elect John Cullen, M.D., reports from Capitol Hill, where the Academy's Board of Directors recently had dozens of meetings with legislators and congressional staff.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180302lv-hillvisits.html
Real Action on Administrative Burden Is Long Overdue
The AAFP has been communicating with CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT about reducing administrative burden, and this week, leaders will address that critical issue on Capitol Hill.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180227lv-adminburden.html
Healing or Harassment: Is It OK to Hug a Patient?
At a time of heightened awareness about sexual harassment, we asked our new physician bloggers whether it's appropriate for physicians to hug patients.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180226fp-hugs.html
Let's Start by Treating Gun Violence as Public Health Issue
Granted, harm is caused by individuals, not the objects they wield. But even so, treating gun violence as a public health issue could make our society safer.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180221fp-gunviolence.html
Part II: Sharing Our Workforce, Clinical Priorities for 2018
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin outlines the Academy's priorities related to physician workforce and clinical expertise.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180220ITT_Priorities2.html
Burnout Part 2: Adopting a Systems Approach to Prevention
Carl Olden, M.D., examines methods to approach physician burnout and resilience from the perspectives of the small practice, the multispecialty group and hospital medical staff.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180219lv-burnout.html
Fox Should Pull the Plug on The Resident
The Resident, the latest TV medical drama, doesn't do physicians or patients any favors with its skewed portrayal of health care.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180212fp-badtv.html
A Right Way to Treat Opioid Addiction
Some physicians remain reluctant to prescribe buprenorphine for medication-assisted therapy. Alan Schwartzstein, M.D., refutes two common arguments against the practice.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180209lv-opioidsmat.html
Part I: Sharing Our Legislative, Regulatory Priorities for 2018
AAFP Senior Vice President for Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy Shawn Martin outlines the AAFP's priorities for 2018 regarding payment reform and practice transformation.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20180206ITT_Priorities.html
Done Right, Annual Wellness Visit Helps Patient and Practice
Kurt Bravata, M.D., examines the utility of the Medicare annual wellness visit and how to get paid properly for conducting it.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180205fp-medicareawv.html
With Most New Med Students Women Now, Let's Boost Our Support
For the first time, the new class of U.S. medical students has more women than men. Erica Swegler, M.D., writes that it's been a tough path for women, and obstacles remain.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180202lv-women.html
What a Load of Goop: Overcoming Misguided Health Advice
Gwyneth Paltrow and other celebrities are telling your patients to do weird things to their bodies. Here's how to ensure they hear you instead.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180130fp-badadvice.html
Congress' Inaction Threatens Family Medicine Training
The future of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program -- and more than 700 residency slots -- is unclear because Congress has failed to address long-term funding.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20180129lv-thcgme.html
New Year, New Chance to Get Fit
Marie-Elizabeth Ramas, M.D., used exercise to beat burnout in 2017. She offers seven tips to help physicians and patients keep their New Year's wellness resolutions.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180123fp-newyear.html