Ronald M. Davis, MD
Healthy meetings and conferences: Let's practice what we preach
How many medical conferences and seminars do you go to, where the breakfast fare features eggs and bacon, or huge (non-whole wheat) bagels and cream cheese, or Danish pastries with that sugary stuff drizzled on top? How about pizza at luncheons for medical students and residents, or at Grand Rounds? Or hot dogs or donuts at fund-raising events?
And by the way, how nutritious is the food at your hospital cafeteria? Or maybe you have a fast-food restaurant inside your hospital?
All of us know the statistics about the obesity epidemic in this country and its impact on diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, and many other conditions. So why do we do such a poor job at practicing what we preach?
At the breakfasts now served during our AMA Board of Trustees meetings, I'm pleased that we routinely get fresh fruit and oatmeal and cold cereals, along with juices and skim milk. Scrambled eggs are made with a cholesterol-free egg substitute, whose taste can be spiced up with salsa and chopped tomatoes and green peppers. And turkey sausage is there for those who crave meat.
But I continue to go to medical society dinners featuring a huge piece of succulent
beef that rivals the "masculine" (read "macho") portion
size for which restaurants in Buenos Aires are famous. Meanwhile, many of those
medical societies (including the AMA) encourage their physician members to promote
good nutrition among their patients, and they advise restaurants and grocery
stores to serve and sell heart-smart food items.
>>Read more
Please send comments, questions, and replies to amaprez@ama-assn.org.
eVoice®
September 6, 2007
AMA eVoice is your regular update on the most important health care issues and recent AMA activities.
The AMA is committed to communication. We encourage you to help us spread the word by forwarding AMA eVoice to your colleagues.
Your news interests
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Faculty practice physician issues
1) CECS founder resigns from leadership position at Dartmouth
2) 2007 update of the AMA study on competition in health insurance now available
Group practice physician issues
1) When it comes to prescribing data access, it's your choice
2) In AMNews: Degree of management—finding the fit for top staff
International medical graduate issues
1) AMA-IMG Section women physicians: Honor your mentor
2) Callout: AMA-IMG Section resolutions due Sept. 28
3) Reserve your spot at the AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus
4) Mark your calendar for AMA section and special group events
Medical school news
1) Make your hotel reservations now
2) Remembering an AMA-SMS founding member
3) AMA launches "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign
Medical student issues
1) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting deadlines
2) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting
3) Award-winning newspaper available to medical students
4) AMA-MSS Chapter Project of the Week: Wright State University's SCHIP student legislative and advocacy update
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
1) Stay up to date on AMA-MAC issues
2) Resolutions sought for 2007 AMA-MAC Interim Meeting
Organized medical staff issues
1) Register for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii today
2) Joint Commission conducting audio conference on Standard MS.1.20 Oct. 24
3) Sign up for the AMA-OMSS announcement listserv today
Resident and fellow issues
1) AMA-RFS is electing leaders at its Interim Assembly Meeting
2) Women physicians: Nominate your mentor for Women in Medicine Month
3) In Medical News Today: Number of uninsured U.S. residents increases by 2.2 million to 47 million
Senior physicians issues
1) Medicare includes more preventive medicine for seniors
2) AMA-SPG maintains list of volunteer opportunities for seniors
Women physician and women's health issues
1) September is Women in Medicine Month
Young physician issues
1) AMA calls for action as the number of uninsured grows
2) AMA seeks your feedback about uninsured issue
3) Submit a resolution to the AMA-YPS Assembly
4) Read the AMA-YPS "Digest of Actions" from the 2007 Annual Meeting
5) Honor your mentor and celebrate September's Women in Medicine Month
General AMA news:
1) AMA gearing up for final passage of SCHIP and Medicare legislation
2) Alert: Medicare starting to reject claims with NPI discrepancies
3) Ethics in brief: When physicians have substance abuse disorders
4) AMA practice tip covers connecting with your patients online
5) In JAMA: Two studies examine mortality among hospitalized patients following work hours reform for physicians-in-training
Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.
Faculty practice physician issues
1) CECS founder resigns from leadership position at Dartmouth
John "Jack" E. Wennberg, MD, known for his pioneering work in evaluating medical practice, stepped down as Dartmouth College's director of the Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences (CECS), which he founded and has led since 1988. For more than 40 years, Dr. Wennberg studied and documented striking variations in health care delivery across the United States, concluding that where a patient lives determines the amount of medical care he or she receives. His recent research focused on ways to document the outcomes, or results, of various medical practices and communicate this information to patients. Dr. Wennberg is perhaps best known for the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, a series of reports on the status of medical care delivery in the U.S., and will continue to work on his research at Dartmouth. James N. Weinstein, MD, of Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, has been named his successor.
2) 2007 update of the AMA study on competition in health insurance now available
The 2007 study of 313 markets demonstrates that in the majority of health care markets, competition is compromised.
- In the combined health maintenance organization (HMO)/preferred provider organization (PPO) product market, 96 percent (299) of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) are highly concentrated [Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI)>1800, applying the 1997 Merger Guidelines].
- In 96 percent (299) of the MSAs, at least one insurer has a combined HMO/PPO market share of 30 percent or greater.
- In 64 percent (200) of the MSAs, at least one insurer has a combined HMO/PPO market share of 50 percent or greater.
- In 24 percent (74) of the MSAs, at least one insurer has a combined HMO/PPO market share of 70 percent or greater.
- In 5 percent (15) of the MSAs, at least one insurer has a combined HMO/PPO market share of 90 percent or greater.
Visit the Web site or send an e-mail to obtain a free copy.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Group practice physician issues
1) When it comes to prescribing data access, it's your choice
All physicians deserve to be able to choose who has access to their prescribing data. The AMA Physician Data Restriction Program (PDRP) makes that decision yours alone by empowering you to determine whether or not the prescribing data you generate is made available to pharmaceutical sales representatives. Yet PDRP still keeps the data available to advance important public health benefits, such as timely and appropriate communication about drug recalls and evidence-based medical research. The AMA does not collect, sell or have access to prescribing data, but rather provides a way for physicians to determine how their data will be used.
2) In AMNews: Degree of management—finding the fit for top staff
Often the terms "office manager" and "practice administrator" are used to describe the same person—but the two jobs are very different, according to an article from the Aug. 20 issue of American Medical News (AMNews).
Visit the Web site to view the AMNews article and learn more about the breakdown of responsibilities of each position.
>>Return to your news interest contents
International medical graduate issues
1) AMA-IMG Section women physicians: Honor your mentor
Do you have a special colleague or teacher who has unknowingly steered you down the right path, been your longtime inspiration or a prominent role model throughout your medical career? In September—Women in Medicine Month—take the time to thank that person who has been an inspiration to you on your path to success.
With the Women in Medicine Month theme, "Sharing a passion for medicine," the AMA Women Physicians Congress is carrying out its first annual Physicians Mentor Recognition Program. The program—recognizing motivating physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession—will honor nominated mentors through a special certificate and display at the AMA Women Physicians Congress gala reception at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in November in Honolulu.
Visit the Web site to learn more and obtain a nomination form. Entries are due Sept. 30.
2) Callout: AMA-IMG Section resolutions due Sept. 28
Resolutions for the 2007 AMA-IMG Section Interim Meeting are due Sept. 28. The section's events will be held in conjunction with the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu, Nov. 10–13.
Learn more about resolution-writing guidelines.
3) Reserve your spot at the AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus
Register now to attend the following AMA-IMG Section events at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in November. All events will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, or the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu.
- AMA-IMG Section Congress—5:45–7:45 p.m., Nov. 9
- AMA-IMG Section Caucus—5:30–7 p.m., Nov. 10
- AMA-IMG delegate-sponsored reference committee reports caucus—7:30–9 a.m., Nov. 12
- AMA-IMG Leadership Development Workshop—9:30–11:30 a.m., Nov. 12
Download a registration form. Registration is open through Nov. 1.
4) Mark your calendar for AMA section and special group events
You're invited to attend the following AMA section and special group events held at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu. Don't miss out on these events:
- Sections and special groups luau from 9 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 8
- Educational session, "The future of medicine," from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9
- AMA-WPC Mentor Recognition Program reception from 5 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 9
- Educational sessions, "Washington update" and "M 1.20," from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 10
>>Return to your news interest content
Medical school news
(Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools)
1) Make your hotel reservations now
If you are planning to attend the AMA-SMS 31st Interim Meeting Nov. 10–11 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, you will need to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. The less expensive rooms at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, have already sold out. Two blocks away and closer to the convention center, the Doubletree Alana Hotel-Waikiki still has inexpensive rooms available.
Learn more about the meeting.
Make a reservation. Even though the hotel is the official AMA-Medical Student Section meeting hotel, you will be able to make a reservation on this Web site.
Send an e-mail or call (312) 464-4655 if you have questions.
2) Remembering an AMA-SMS founding member
Edward N. Brandt Jr., MD, PhD, one of the founding members of the AMA-SMS,
recently passed away in Oklahoma. He served as AMA-SMS vice chair from 1976 through 1979 and became AMA-SMS chair in 1980—just prior to his appointment as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health in President Reagan's first term. Dr. Brandt most currently was Regents' professor emeritus and past director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Development at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Previously, he served as L.N. Upjohn professor and executive dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Dr. Brandt formerly served as president of the University of Maryland at Baltimore and as a professor of epidemiology, preventive medicine and family medicine. He will be missed for his strong advocacy on behalf of medical education.
3) AMA launches "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign
As part of the new campaign, all members of the AMA are encouraged to visit the "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign Web site to learn more about the AMA's plan to expand health insurance coverage and sign an online petition in support of the plan. Also, you can view the recently released TV and radio ads, as well as other campaign materials on the site.
Sign the online petition.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Medical student issues
1) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting deadlines
Please join us for the 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting Nov. 8–10 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu. The meeting includes policymaking sessions, educational sessions, a research poster session and more. The AMA-MSS is planning programs for this meeting and would like your ideas.
Visit the Web site to obtain an online form and submit your ideas.
Please keep the following deadlines in mind:
- Sept. 7—Convention committee applications due
- Sept. 21—Resolution submissions due (A draft of your resolution must be posted to the AMA-MSS health policy and news listserv no later than Sept. 7).
- Sept. 21—AMA-MSS Research Poster Symposium abstracts due
- Oct. 1—Meeting registration due
- Oct. 1—AMA Board of Trustees/chair-elect applications due
- Oct. 1—Regional delegate applications due
Visit the Web site to learn more about the meeting and obtain applications.
2) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting
The 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting will be held Nov. 8–10 in Honolulu. The AMA has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate for attendees at the Doubletree Alana Hotel-Waikiki. A special room rate will be available until Oct. 7 or until the group block is sold out.
Visit the Web site to learn more and reserve your room.
The AMA also has teamed up with United Airlines to offer attendees a 10 percent discount (and an extra 5 percent discount if you make your reservation at least 30 days in advance).
Visit the Web site to learn more and make your reservation.
3) Award-winning newspaper available to medical students
The AMA's Award-winning newspaper, American Medical News (AMNews), is the nation's leading newspaper for physicians. Each week it provides the latest news regarding government and medicine, professional issues, practice management and developments in public health. AMNews regularly publishes articles of interest to medical students on a wide range of topics, including resident work hours, patient safety and the physician work force. As a benefit of membership, the full text of the newspaper is available every week online to all AMA members.
Learn more about listening to AMNews content on XM Satellite Radio or as a weekly podcast.
4) AMA-MSS Chapter Project of the Week: Wright State University's SCHIP student legislative and advocacy update
Medical students at Wright State University will host a lunch seminar that will outline the provisions of the U.S House State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill in time for the Sept. 30 SCHIP reauthorization deadline. Speakers will include medical students and a local physician who will explain some of the complexities of the bill and its impact on children's health care. Students will also compose a letter advocating for the bill's passage, obtain student signatures and send the letter to elected officials.
This project was funded by an AMA-MSS chapter involvement grant (CIG). CIGs are available to MSS chapters to help put student projects and recruitment events into action. Chapters are eligible for $1,000 per academic year with a maximum of $500 per event. If your chapter has a project that it would like to get started, apply for a CIG.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
(brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium)
1) Stay up to date on AMA-MAC issues
View the latest message from AMA-MAC Chair Diana E. Ramos, MD, about recent AMA-MAC activities and events.
2) Resolutions sought for 2007 AMA-MAC Interim Meeting
The AMA-MAC Governing Council would like to hear from you. Resolutions for the 2007 AMA-MAC Interim Meeting are due Sept. 24. If you have a suggestion for a resolution you would like the AMA-MAC to consider, send an e-mail with your ideas.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Organized medical staff issues
1) Register for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii today
Registration is now open for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu, Nov. 8–11. Register online. The process is quick and easy.
Book your airline and hotel reservations online.
Learn more (PDF, 59KB) about the development and submission of resolutions. Resolutions should be submitted via e-mail. The deadline for resolution submissions is Sept. 28.
2) Joint Commission conducting audio conference on Standard MS.1.20 Oct. 24
The Joint Commission is conducting a free, one-hour audio conference on Standard MS.1.20 at 1 p.m. CST on Oct. 24. During this audio conference, the revisions that were made to Standard MS.1.20, which address medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, and policies, will be discussed. These revisions were written with the intent of supporting and reinforcing a productive working relationship between the organized medical staff and the governing body—consistent with the requirements of the new leadership chapter—while minimizing disruptions to the hospital, including its medical staff.
Learn more about the audio conference.
3) Sign up for the AMA-OMSS announcement listserv today
The AMA-OMSS announcement listserv will serve as a vehicle through which the section's leadership and staff will communicate with section members and other interested parties on important issues, as well as ones that require member action and feedback. Please note that this is an announcement listserv, so you will not be able to reply or send messages to the group. In order to receive messages regarding AMA-OMSS activities and issues, you must subscribe to the announcement listserv. Send an e-mai to subscribe to the AMA-OMSS announcement listserv. No subject line or text is necessary. Shortly thereafter, you will receive a "welcome" message.
Send an e-mail or call (312) 464-5193 if you experience any technical problems.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Resident and fellow issues
1) AMA-RFS is electing leaders at its Interim Assembly Meeting
The AMA-RFS will be holding elections for governing council chair-elect, sectional delegates (10 positions available) and alternate delegates (10 positions available) and endorsing candidates for the Council on Medical Education at the 2007 AMA-RFS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu.
Visit the Web site to learn more about these positions and obtain applications. The deadline for applications is Sept. 27.
2) Women physicians: Nominate your mentor for Women in Medicine Month
September is Women in Medicine Month and the AMA Women Physicians Congress is sponsoring its first annual Physician Mentor Recognition Program designed to help you acknowledge those physicians who contribute in small, often unsung ways to the success of women physicians.
Visit the Web site to learn more and obtain an application. Nominate individuals who steered you into the specialty you love, helped you find work/life balance, guided you through your professional society or unknowingly served as a role model for you or others.
3) In Medical News Today: Number of uninsured U.S. residents increases by 2.2 million to 47 million
According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of uninsured in the U.S. in 2006 increased by 2.2 million from 44.8 million in 2005 to 47 million in 2006. Census officials attributed the increase mostly to the decrease in employer-sponsored health care. Some health care consultants attribute the declines to employees finding it difficult to afford employee coverage and opting out.
View the Medical News Today article.
Learn more about the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Senior Physicians issues
1) Medicare includes more preventive medicine for seniors
The focus of Medicare preventive services is fundamentally changing, with efforts now being directed in keeping seniors healthy, as well as treating disease. Per an article in the Wall Street Journal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officially launched a 48-state tour to 120 cities this summer to get the word out to local officials, hospitals and elder-care groups. By emphasizing early testing and intervention, CMS hopes to help prevent and manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes. With the new program, flu vaccines and some other immunizations and screening tests are available for free to beneficiaries with Medicare Part B. Other screenings and immunizations may require a co-payment of 20 to 25 percent. Those enrolled in Medicare Part A are not required to pay any co-payment or co-insurance for exams and shots after meeting a $131 deductible.
View a checklist of preventive services for seniors.
2) AMA-SPG maintains list of volunteer opportunities for seniors
To maintain an active lifestyle in retirement years, many seniors are interested in sharing their time and expertise with others in volunteer roles.
Learn more about ideas on staying active and involved. Opportunities are available in areas as diverse as health care volunteer positions overseas or working in free clinics within the U.S.
Send an e-mail if you have an idea that you would like to include on the Web site.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Women physician and women's health issues
(brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress)
1) September is Women in Medicine Month
There is still time to honor your mentor—that special colleague or teacher who has unknowingly steered you down the right path, been your longtime inspiration or a prominent role model throughout your medical career. In September—Women in Medicine Month—take the time to thank that person who has really been an inspiration to you on your path to success.
With the Women in Medicine Month theme, "Sharing a passion for medicine," the AMA-WPC is carrying out its first annual Physicians Mentor Recognition Program. The program—recognizing motivating physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession—will honor nominated mentors through a special certificate and display at the AMA Women Physicians Congress gala reception at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in November in Honolulu.
Visit the Web site to learn more and obtain a nomination form. Entries are due Sept. 30.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Young physician issues
1) AMA calls for action as the number of uninsured grows
On Aug. 28, the AMA responded to the release of U.S. Census Bureau data showing that, in 2006, the number of people without health insurance coverage increased to 47 million. "Today's announcement on the increase in the number of uninsured Americans is a forceful reminder that action is desperately needed," said AMA Trustee Joseph M. Heyman, MD, in a prepared statement. "The AMA is reaching out to voters and candidates to talk about the problem and the AMA's solution, and encouraging Americans to vote in 2008 with the issue of the uninsured in mind."
View Dr. Heyman's statement in its entirety.
2) AMA seeks your feedback about uninsured issue
As the AMA's three-year, multi-million dollar "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign progresses, there will be multiple opportunities for young physician members to become involved.
Show your support by signing the campaign's online petition.
You are also invited to complete a brief AMA Member Connect® Survey about your experiences with uninsured patients. Complete the survey on the uninsured.
Read more about the AMA's proposal for expanding health care coverage.
3) Submit a resolution to the AMA-YPS Assembly
Are you interested in putting forth a resolution for debate by the AMA-YPS Assembly? Resolutions are currently being accepted from AMA-YPS members for consideration by the AMA-YPS Assembly at its Nov. 8–10 meeting.
Send an e-mail or a fax to (312) 464-5845 with resolution submissions. The deadline for submission of "on time" resolutions is Oct. 5.
4) Read the AMA-YPS "Digest of Actions" from the 2007 Annual Meeting
The AMA-YPS "Digest of Actions," which includes the delegates report as well as final AMA House of Delegates actions from the 2007 Annual Meeting, has been posted on the AMA-YPS Web site.
5) Honor your mentor and celebrate September's Women in Medicine Month
Do you have a special colleague or teacher who has guided you down the right path, been your long-time inspiration or a role model throughout your medical career? In September—Women in Medicine Month—take the time to thank that person who has helped you on your journey to success.
In reflection of this month's theme, "Sharing a passion for medicine," the AMA Women Physicians Congress is conducting its first annual Physicians Mentor Recognition Program. Nominated mentors will be honored through a special certificate and display at the AMA Women Physicians Congress gala reception at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, scheduled Nov. 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu.
Learn more about the program and obtain a nomination form. Entries are due Sept. 30.
>>Return to your news interest contents
General AMA news
1) AMA gearing up for final passage of SCHIP and Medicare legislation
With Congress reconvening this week, the AMA is working to secure final passage of legislation that would reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and replace projected cuts in Medicare physician payments with positive updates.
A bill approved last month by the U.S. House addresses both these issues, but a bill passed by the Senate focuses solely on SCHIP reauthorization. Now both chambers of Congress must come to an agreement on provisions in the final legislation, and the AMA is aggressively lobbying lawmakers to expedite the conference process and finalize a bill to both stop the Medicare payment cuts and reauthorize SCHIP.
While it is not yet known whether SCHIP and Medicare legislation will advance in one bill or as separate legislative packages, the AMA is framing negotiating positions for members of Congress that focus on:
- Increased funding for SCHIP to cover all eligible children
- A positive payment update for all physicians treating Medicare patients
- Extending expiring provisions governing physician payments in rural areas
- Eliminating restrictions on physician-owned hospitals
- Opposing additional cuts for imaging services
Learn more about legislation passed by the House that addresses both SCHIP and the Medicare payment cuts.
>>Return to your general news contents
2) Alert: Medicare starting to reject claims with NPI discrepancies
The AMA is alerting physicians that Medicare must be able to match a physician's appropriate PIN to his or her correct National Provider Identifier (NPI)—and may reject claims if a match can't be made.
Prior to Sept. 4, most Medicare carriers permitted claims to process through their computer systems even if an appropriate match between the physician's NPI number and their old legacy billing number(s) couldn't be made. However, as of Sept. 4, Medicare has started to "turn on” the edits that previously allowed these claims to process.
The AMA strongly encourages physicians to immediately check with their billing office to determine what, if any, error reason codes have been returned over the summer. These codes could indicate an NPI mismatch in the Medicare system. Physicians who use a clearinghouse should check to ensure that the NPI error reason code or similar error reason codes are not being stripped off of their claims.
Note: Medicare must be able to match single, incorporated physicians—those who have an LLC or other incorporated business arrangement. These physicians must have two NPIs—one for themselves and one for their corporation. In some cases Medicare may have originally assigned these physicians one PIN rather than the two that are now needed to match a physician to his or her correct NPI number. In these cases, re-enrollment in Medicare is required. In addition, physicians in large group practices who may have multiple Medicare PINs could also experience claims interruptions if there are matching problems.
The AMA is aggressively advocating for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to alleviate the significant administrative burden these developments will place on physician practices. The AMA is also working to get physicians more time to re-enroll in Medicare so they can obtain the appropriate PIN and avert claims processing interruptions.
>>Return to your general news contents
3) Ethics in brief: When physicians have substance abuse disorders
The Medical Board of California recently decided to end its physician diversion program after a report on its performance had been met with calls for improving the system of treating physicians who have substance abuse disorders. As part of physician health programs, diversion programs provide physicians with the necessary support in overcoming substance abuse, and by doing so help to ensure that physicians who are still able to practice safely can do so.
It is important to note that diversion programs do not provide a free pass to physicians—a violation of the program's terms can lead to more serious discipline. These programs exist as an alternative to traditional actions available to medical boards, such as license suspension, probation or revocation.
Physicians are at risk of having substance abuse problems abuse just like the rest of society. It is better for physicians to be provided a chance for recovery than to terminate patient-physician relationships without the opportunity for the physician to seek treatment.
Read (PDF, 678KB) AMA policy on physician health and wellness.
>>Return to your general news contents
4) AMA practice tip covers connecting with your patients online
Online medical consultations, also known as e-visits, present opportunities for growth and increased efficiency in the physician practice.
To learn more about this new patient convenience and whether it is right for your practice, access the educational resource (PDF, 678KB) "Online medical consultations: connecting physicians with patients." AMA members can download this informative practice management resource free of charge.
>>Return to your general news contents
5) In JAMA: Two studies examine mortality among hospitalized patients following work hours reform for physicians-in-training
In a national study of more than 8 million hospitalized Medicare patients, there was no increase in mortality in the first two years following duty hour reform that limited work hours for resident physicians, according to an article in the Sept. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a themed issue on medical education. A second study found that resident duty hour reform was associated with decreased risk of death for patients who had certain conditions at Veterans Affairs hospitals.
View the first study.
Preview the second study.
Preview a commentary on this topic.
>>Return to your general news contents
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