For Physicians

AMA members: Share your opinions in EHR survey

A national physician survey launched Thursday aims to collect data that will support physicians in selecting and using electronic health records (EHR) and trigger technology improvements for both physicians and patients.

Patient care physicians across the country, including thousands of AMA members, have received electronic invitations to share their insights and opinions. The survey is a joint project with AmericanEHR Partners, a leading physician resource offering access to unbiased ratings and information about EHR systems and vendors. 

"Advances in EHR systems must accommodate a variety of physician practices if the technology is to meet its full potential to streamline workflow and help deliver better care to patients," AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, said in a news release. "Survey input from physicians will help guide the AMA and AmericanEHR Partners in our shared commitment to foster advances that help physicians use health IT to successfully improve health care delivery."

Responses to the survey will be confidential, and physician identities will not be used in the analysis or reporting of survey results. All respondents who complete the survey by Nov. 8 will be entered into a random drawing for a new Apple iPad or one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

Leadership program aims to improve health outcomes

Apply by Thursday to participate in the AMA's new Physicians as Community Health Advocates program.

The program is recruiting 30 physician volunteers with a demonstrated history of community-based leadership and activism on policy issues related to healthy lifestyle behaviors to serve as program trainers. These physicians will coach their local colleagues in taking a community leadership role in advocating for policies that improve health behaviors and outcomes.

A half-day training session for accepted applicants will take place Nov. 30 in Chicago. The AMA will cover travel expenses.

Download an application and submit it by Oct. 18 to Janet Williams of the AMA via email at janet.williams@ama-assn.org or via fax at (312) 464-5073.

Lifestyle behaviors, including tobacco and alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity, are associated with most chronic diseases and rising health care costs. The goal of the Physicians as Community Health Advocates program is to help physicians work with others to improve health behaviors in their communities.

Mentor tomorrow's doctors at AMA Research Symposium

Physicians attending this year's Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu have an opportunity to help mentor some of the brightest young minds in medicine by serving as a judge at the 10th annual AMA Research Symposium.

A record 600 medical students and physicians in training have submitted abstracts for the competition, which will take place Nov. 9 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The event includes both podium and poster presentations.

Judges are needed for the resident/fellow physician segment, which includes two categories:

• Clinical vignette
• Clinical medicine (includes quality improvement, health policy, clinical research and medical education)

To learn more and volunteer, contact Patrick O'Keefe of the AMA via email or at (312) 464-4978.