The nation’s doctors and physicians in training are gathering Nov. 8-11 in Dallas to weigh new AMA policy that will help shape a better health care system for all Americans.
During the 2014 AMA Interim Meeting, all the nation’s physicians will be represented via delegations from the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In addition, other groups with one or more seats in the House include the federal services (e.g., U.S. Air Force and Public Health Service), national medical specialty societies, professional interest medical associations, AMA sections and other groups.
AMA sections and special groups will meet Thursday through Saturday to discuss proposed AMA policy and attend education sessions.
- Hundreds of medical students, residents and international medical graduates will present their original research beginning at 4 p.m. Central time Friday during the 12th annual AMA Research Symposium.
- Attendees will get a sneak peek of the PBS documentary Rx, for which the AMA is a premiere sponsor. The film looks beyond technology and medicine, and explores a health care model focused on medicine’s fundamental mission to promote health, prevent sickness and help people live long, productive lives.
- A special Ebola update will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Central time Sunday, during which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s associate director for health care associated infection prevention programs will discuss how to prepare for and manage Ebola patients in hospital and ambulatory care settings. This session will be live streamed for those who can’t attend the meeting in person.
The AMA House of Delegates will convene Saturday afternoon, when delegates will hear from both the AMA president and the AMA CEO about the state of affairs in medicine and the association. U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald also will address attendees regarding veterans’ health care. His update will begin at 3:15 p.m. Central time and will be live streamed as well.
Dozens of proposed policies and reports on a range of important issues also will be considered. They include:
- Expansion of safe disposal sites for prescription drugs
- Promoting improved electronic health records
- Facilitating state licensure for telemedicine services
- The role of pharmacists in improving immunization rates
- Timing of the USMLE Step 1
