News for Young Physicians

Weigh in on AMA-YPS policy proposals

Members of the AMA Young Physicians Section (YPS) are encouraged to comment on reports and resolutions submitted for consideration at the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates through use of the section's Virtual Reference Committee (log in required). Testimony will be accepted from AMA-YPS members until 1 p.m. Eastern time Oct. 29.

Online testimony submitted in the Virtual Reference Committee is considered along with comments provided at an on-site hearing during the AMA-YPS business meeting. Email Wilda Knox of the AMA for more information on the AMA-YPS Virtual Reference Committee.

AMA Foundation seeks everyday heroes in medicine

Nominate your colleagues who go beyond the call of duty to improve public health, provide care for people in need and serve as community leaders for this year's Excellence in Medicine Awards. Presented by the AMA Foundation in association with Pfizer Inc., the annual awards acknowledge the everyday heroes who embody the highest values of the medical profession: altruism, public service and dedication to patient care.

Nominations are due Nov. 16. There are four categories:

• Pride in the Profession Award—for physicians aiding underserved patients in the U.S.
• Dr. Nathan Davis International Award—for physicians aiding an international population
• Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award—for senior physicians improving access to care in the U.S.
• Leadership Awards—for medical students, residents, fellows and early career physicians who demonstrate outstanding nonclinical leadership skills

The Excellence in Medicine Awards will be presented at a banquet on Feb. 11 in Washington, D.C. Award recipients will receive travel expenses to attend the ceremony, and $2,500 grants will be provided to the awarded physicians' organizations.

Boost patient loyalty, referrals

A series of resources from the AMA offers practical tips to help physicians enhance patient satisfaction with their office visits. Resources cover such topics as appointment scheduling, interactions with practice staff and online medical consultations. Making sure patients have a good experience can result in payments for quality, return visits, new patient referrals and a stronger physician-patient relationship.

CME activity offers tips on diagnosing eating disorders

Estimates from various studies suggest that up to 27 million Americans may suffer from an eating disorder. An AMA training module helps primary care physicians screen and manage these serious mental illnesses.

Eating disorders affect patients' mental and physical health and can have serious, and even life-threatening, consequences. But early intervention can improve patient outcomes and reduce the duration of the disorder. The training module, part of the AMA's Educating Physicians on Controversies and Challenges in Health series, helps physicians understand how to identify eating disorders and help patients get the treatment they need.

The online module features leading physician specialists explaining some of the key symptoms of eating disorders, common misconceptions, timely interventions and effective care management.  It also describes techniques to facilitate open communication, offers screening questions and tools, and suggests ways to counsel patients and families about effective treatments for eating disorders.

Physicians can earn continuing medical education (CME) credit in the form of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for participating in this activity.