Volume 120, No. 2: February 2024 Edition | |
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They Said It...
“This is a medical condition that we have to manage, and until we accept that, it remains stigmatized. We view this as a primary care problem. Primary care doctors can't just say 'I am not treating Covid or diabetes', and the same goes for opioid use disorder. A primary care doctor should never be turning away a patient for lack of knowledge with substances like suboxone. I just don't think we can say no at this point with so many people dying every year." Dr. Barbara Westerhaus, medical director of the J Edwin Wood Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, discussing the opioid epidemic in Philadelphia. Read more in our Winter 2024 Edition of Philadelphia Medicine magazine, available now.
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If you are interested in writing an article for Philadelphia Medicine, please contact us at stat@philamedsoc.org. We are accepting articles for both the newsletter and magazine. | |
Things you should know... | |
The Hepatitis B Foundation offers mini-ECHO series | |
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Hepatitis B is a common infection in Philadelphia. It is estimated that there are over 3,000 new cases within the city each year. The Hepatitis B Foundation is hosting monthly provider trainings using the Project ECHO model. The ECHO model has four core components: using technology to leverage scarce resources, training on core professional development topics, case presentations and ongoing mentorship, and outcome measurement. The first program will start in May during Hepatitis Awareness Month and will run for five monthly sessions through September, held on the third Thursday of each month beginning May 16 at noon. You can register here.
The Hepatitis B Foundation’s YouTube page offers didactic recordings covering Hepatitis B, and you can learn more about Hepatitis B in Philadelphia here.
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Safety Program for Telemedicine: Improving Antibiotic Use | |
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The AHRQ Safety Program for Telemedicine is a national effort to develop and implement a bundle of evidence-based interventions designed to improve telemedicine care, focusing on reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. This is a no-cost program that seeks to promote appropriate antibiotic use while maintaining patient satisfaction and reducing potential side effects in patients seen via telemedicine. The program, beginning in June 2024, consists of brief educational presentations about best practices to optimize antibiotic prescribing in the telemedicine environment. Participants will have access to technical assistance, coaching, webinars, and practical tools to implement improvements in their practice. CME will be offered at no charge for participants.
Learn more or register at the AHRQ Safety Program website.
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PAMED seeks nominations for Doctors' Day Recognition | |
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Do you know a doctor who deserves recognition for their hard work, dedication, and great care? Nominate a PCMS doctor for the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s second annual state-wide recognition of physicians for Doctors’ Day celebrated on March 28th! Deadline: February 18, 2024.
Click here for the nomination form.
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PCMS membership renewal deadline approaching | |
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Time is running out to renew your membership to PCMS and PAMED! Renew now to maintain access to the License Resource Center and other great benefits. If you have not done so already, please visit: www.pamedsoc.org/PayMyBill.
Thank you to everyone that has already renewed—together, we are stronger!
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Seeking nominations for PCMS awards | |
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There is still time to submit your nomination for our 2024 award season. We are still accepting nominations for the Cristol Award and the Practitioner of the Year Award.
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Practitioner of the Year Award – For physicians that demonstrate excellence in patient care and community service.
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Cristol Award – For PCMS members who have made valuable contributions to the Society.
Awardees will be honored by PCMS during the formal Presidents Installation event in early June, 2024. Deadline is March 4.
Visit our Awards page for more information and to submit your nominations.
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AMA Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship Program | |
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The AMA Center for Health Equity seeks applicants for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship program’s 2024-2025 cohort. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.
The program is administered through a partnership between the AMA and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute. Using an anti-racist, equity-centered learning framework, fellows engage with equity experts and trailblazers. The fellowship equips and empowers fellows to be part of the next generation of advocacy leaders, driving meaningful policy and structural changes that produce equity and justice in the communities they serve.
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New actions announced for HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy | |
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is continuing its Overdose Prevention Strategy by announcing new actions to combat overdoses, including finalizing a rule that will expand access to life-saving medications for opioid use disorder, announcing that certain grant funds may now be used to purchase xylazine test strips (XTS), and releasing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) updated Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit.
You can read more here.
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Registration now open for 2024 AMPAC Candidate Workshop | |
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AMPAC is holding a Candidate Workshop that will be held in-person from March 22 to March 24 at the AMA offices in Washington, DC. The workshop is designed for physicians interested in running for public office and will give you expert advice from Republican and Democratic political veterans about being a successful candidate and how to run a winning campaign. Learn the importance of a disciplined campaign plan and message, the secrets of effective fundraising, how to work with the media, and how to build your campaign team and a successful grassroots organization.
You can register for the workshop here. Space is limited and the deadline to register is March 1, 2024.
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Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole steps down | |
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Dr. Cheryl Bettigole will be stepping down as Philadelphia Health Commissioner on February 15. Deputy Health Commissioner Frank A. Franklin, PhD, JD, MPH will act as Interim Health Commissioner while the Parker Administration searches for a new Health Commissioner. Dr. Bettigole was named Acting Health Commissioner in May 2021 and appointed permanent Health Commissioner in November of that year.
Dr. Bettigole oversaw the development of a five-year strategic plan focused on centering equity in Health Department work, improving access to primary care, and preparing for future public health emergencies. She also led the department’s response to multiple mass displaced person events, including Afghan and Ukrainian evacuees as well as migrants bussed from the southern border.
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CONTRACT CORNER BRIEFS
by Karen E. Davidson, Esquire
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IMPACT OF MARKETPLACE CONSOLIDATION. The consolidation trend in the healthcare industry, marked by the merger of large hospitals and health systems into colossal organizations, is fundamentally altering the landscape of physician employment contracting. This shift is reshaping the power dynamics between physicians and large consolidated entities leading to more standardized and less flexible employment contracts. We are witnessing first-hand a morphing of hospitals/health system personalities from organizations previously open to negotiation to ones significantly less willing to do so.
The consolidation is also placing downward pressure on compensation because of reduced competition. Many standardized contracts even include clauses allowing the organization simply to change (read, “reduce”) compensation as they determine from time to time. Seeking guaranteed compensation or a compensation floor for as long as possible may be warranted.
As these colossal organizations assimilate (yes, a reference to the Borg Collective) their new affiliates, physicians find themselves having to navigate a transformed terrain and recognize their diminished negotiating position. The ability to change employment with the narrowest of non-compete restrictions, or at the very least having the restriction be crystal-clear, has never been more important. While physicians must still assess compensation based on survey data and understand the implications of their contracts (especially the impact of non-compete restrictions), they need to be mindful that a shift in negotiation strategy may be necessary depending on the circumstances and parties involved.
| The content of “Contract Corner Briefs” has been prepared by Karen E. Davidson, Esq. for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information in this e-newsletter shall not be construed as an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create, nor shall the receipt of such information constitute, an attorney-client relationship. We hope that you will find the information informative and useful, and we would be delighted to connect you with Karen Davidson. | |
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Child Abuse Prevention Training Program
Date: Tuesday, February 13
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Our upcoming Child Abuse Prevention Training Program for the 2024 licensing cycle will be taking place on February 13. All physicians renewing their license are required to submit documentation to verify the completion of at least two hours of approved continuing education in child abuse recognition. The program will be conducted as a Zoom video conference. Space is limited.
Learn More and Register Here
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Negotiating Key Employment Contract Terms
Date: Tuesday, February 27
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
The Philadelphia County Medical Society invites all residents, fellows and young physicians to attend this upcoming educational program on negotiating key employment contract terms.
This free webinar focuses on:
- Four key employment contract areas
- Analyzing specific contract terms
- Understanding what the legal terms mean in a practical sense, and why they matter
- Common questions raised by physicians about employment agreements
- Practical advice on how to approach the contracting process
Learn More and Register Here
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AMPAC Candidate Workshop
Date: Friday, March 22 - Sunday, March 24
AMPAC is holding a Candidate Workshop at the AMA offices in Washington, DC. The workshop is designed for physicians interested in running for public office and will give you expert advice from Republican and Democratic political veterans about being a successful candidate and how to run a winning campaign.
Learn More and Register Here
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Understanding the Military Experience
Date: Friday, April 5
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Star Behavioral Health Providers is providing training to help health care providers better understand the needs of service members, veterans and their families. The training is free and comprised of three tiers that must be taken sequentially. Multiple dates are available.
To Register:
Visit: https://starproviders.org/providers-tier-training/
- To narrow the search, under Search Available Trainings in the Training drop-down menu select the tier (i.e., One, Two, Three or Sustainment) that you want to attend, and you will be able to search available trainings for just that tier.
- Registration is a two-part process. Part 1: complete the online registration form; Part 2: complete the pre-training survey. The link will be provided on the last page of the registration form. Note: Your registration is not complete, and your seat is not reserved until both parts of the process have been completed.
- You will not be able to register for Tiers Two, Three or Sustainment until you have completed the prerequisites for each.
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PAMED Group Practice Administrator Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 10
Time: 1:00 PM
Join PAMED's expert health care operations team and other guest speakers for vital information on topics such as:
- CMS Final Rule
- Payor Updates
- Legislative Happenings
- Regulatory Updates
Learn More and Register Here
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The 13th Annual Clinical Update in Gastroenterology
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:50 PM
This year's Update in Gastroenterology will include topics such as GERD, Liver Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This program will be held via Zoom.
Learn More and Register Here
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Hepatitis B Provider Training
Date: Thursday, May 16
Time: 12:00 PM
The Hepatitis B Foundation is hosting monthly provider trainings using the Project ECHO model. The ECHO model has four core components: using technology to leverage scarce resources, training on core professional development topics, case presentations and ongoing mentorship, and outcome measurement. The first program will start in May during Hepatitis Awareness Month and will run for five monthly sessions through September, held on the third Thursday of each month beginning May 16 at noon.
Learn More and Register Here
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AHRQ Safety Program for Telemedicine: Improving Antibiotic Use
This is a free 18-month program, beginning in June 2024, that seeks to promote appropriate antibiotic use while maintaining patient satisfaction and reducing potential side effects in patients seen via telemedicine. The program consists of brief educational presentations about best practices to optimize antibiotic prescribing in the telemedicine environment. Participants will have access to technical assistance, coaching, webinars, and practical tools to implement improvements in their practice. CME credits will be offered at no charge for participants.
Learn More and Register Here
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