News in brief - Feb. 7, 2005

Stem cell researcher heads to Europe - Wash. company cuts some liability premiums, for now - Doctors like flexibility of locum tenens, study finds - Grants, scholarships for medical students - AAMC president to step down in June

Stem cell researcher heads to Europe

Critics of President Bush's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research have warned that his policies will lead to a "brain drain" with leading U.S. scientists going to other countries that offer more scientific freedom. But when one of the nation's top stem cell researchers said she is leaving the United States, it was for personal -- not political -- reasons.

Dr. Catherine Verfaillie, who discovered how adult bone marrow stem cells can be "coaxed" into becoming brain, heart and other types of cells, is stepping down as director of the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota in two years so that she can develop a similar operation at her alma mater, Belgium's Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Dr. Verfaille arrived at the University of Minnesota from Belgium in 1987 to participate in a 6-month research program and never left. The Stem Cell Institute was established in 1999, and she said her new center in Belgium will collaborate with University of Minnesota scientists.

Supporters of President Bush's policies often cite her success with adult stem cells as a reason why embryonic stem cell research is unnecessary. Dr. Verfaillie, however, maintains that both types are needed, because it is unknown which cells will work best for which potential therapies.

Wash. company cuts some liability premiums, for now

Physicians Insurance -- the physician-owned mutual company that insures the majority of Washington's doctors -- in January announced that it would ask the state to approve a 7.7% decrease in rates for a mature-year physician with a $1 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate policy.

"In fact, most insured physicians will see a premium decrease in 2005," Physicians Insurance President and CEO Mary-Lou Misrahy said in a letter to doctors.

In part, the decrease is possible because the company will not need to charge the 13.3% surcharge it did in 2004 to boost the surplus. But Misrahy said the state still needs meaningful tort reform.

"I must acknowledge that many clouds are on the horizon," she wrote. "Average payments on closed claims continue to increase, and therefore rates will almost certainly resume their unacceptable upward trend in 2006."

Doctors like flexibility of locum tenens, study finds

A new study suggests many doctors choose locum tenens assignments because they don't want to work full time or because they are seeking a more flexible schedule.

"The most striking finding was this emphasis on a more controllable work schedule and flexibility, especially among women physicians," Angelo Alonzo, co-author of the study and professor of sociology at Ohio State University, said in a statement. "If more women physicians seek temporary jobs so they have less stressful lifestyles, it raises issues about the future of health care staffing."

The study was published in the November/December 2004 issue of the Journal of Healthcare Management. Researchers surveyed 776 physicians who worked at least one assignment with CompHealth, a locum tenens placement agency in Salt Lake City.

For women, the top reason for choosing locum tenens work was schedule flexibility. For men, the top reason was the ability to work part time. The other top reasons: to increase income, to travel and to experience a different practice setting.

Grants, scholarships for medical students

The American Medical Association's student loan consolidation partner, Collegiate Funding Services, is creating a free, online, searchable database of grants and scholarships for medical students and residents. To have information added to the MedScholar database on scholarships, grants, internships or other opportunities, contact the AMA call center at 800-621-8335 and ask for AMA Solutions.

AAMC president to step down in June

Jordan J. Cohen, MD, president of the Assn. of American Medical Colleges, plans to step down when his term ends June 30, 2006.

Dr. Cohen has led the AAMC since March 1994 and is the association's third full-time president. A committee has been formed to search for his successor, and a search firm will be engaged to assist in the process, the AAMC said.

The AAMC said Dr. Cohen would remain actively involved with the AAMC as president emeritus.

N. Lynn Eckhert, MD, DrPH, the AAMC's chair and director of academic programs for Harvard Medical International, praised Dr. Cohen's 10 years with the organization.

"America's medical schools and teaching hospitals are truly indebted to Jordan Cohen for an exemplary decade of leadership and service," Dr. Eckhert said. "During his time at the AAMC, he has distinguished himself as a champion of change. His vision, integrity and dedication have spurred many innovations that are strengthening and modernizing the way our nation educates and trains new physicians. Thanks to his efforts, the AAMC is well positioned to address the many challenges facing medical education, research and the nation's health care system in the years to come."