PAFP seeking inaugural Public Health Award winner Nov. 30, 2018
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians has launched its first ever Public Health Award contest! The inaugural Public Health Award winner will be a PAFP member who demonstrates leadership and engagement in public health, focusing on areas such as health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please click here for details and to nominate a family physician for this honor!
U.S. life expectancy down due to suicides, ODs Nov. 29, 2018
U.S. life expectancy is declining, largely because of suicides and drug overdoses. The Associated Press reports, 2.8 million Americans died in 2017, an increase of 70,000 over the previous year and the most deaths in a single year since the government began keeping track over 100 years ago. The deaths in younger age groups have had the largest impact on life expectancy.
Pa. Auditor General releases firearm safety report Nov. 28, 2018
Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale has called for "a community approach to saving lives" in a special report on firearm safety. According to the Department of the Auditor General, More than 1,500 Pennsylvanians died as a result of firearms in 2016. The report makes recommendations such as expanding mental health care access and hunter education.
Support the PAFP Foundation on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27, 2018
It's Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media. Why not consider giving to the PAFP Foundation? From educational experiences to exciting events that help students and residents invest in their family medicine, the PAFP Foundation is where it all happens. Follow us on Twitter today to learn more about the PAFP Foundation and #FMInspire!
Enroll in ABFM Prime today Nov. 26, 2018
The ABFM invites board-certified family physicians to enroll in its PRIME Registry free for the first three years! PRIME Registry is a practice and population data tool that safely extracts patient data from your electronic health records and turns it into actionable measures, presented in an easy-to-use, personalized dashboard, maintaining full confidentiality.
Happy Thanksgiving! Be safe in the kitchen, on the road Nov. 21, 2018
The holiday season officially kicks off tomorrow with Thanksgiving - don't let your party turn into a turkey! Make sure to be safe in the kitchen: FoodSafety.gov has some helpful cooking tips to prevent illness, while the National Fire Protection Association has safety information on deep-frying the bird. And be careful heading home for the holiday with these tips courtesy of AAA!
1 in 3 parents plans to skip flu vaccine for kids Nov. 20, 2018
Thirty-four percent of parents in the U.S. say their child is unlikely to get the flu vaccine this season. CNN reports nearly half of patients surveyed said they usually followed the recommendations of their child's doctor when making choices about the flu vaccine, but 21 percent said they didn't remember the provider making a recommendation about the flu shot.
Nominations open for 2019 Family Physician of the Year! Nov. 16, 2018
Nominations are now open for the PAFP's 2019 Family Physician of the Year! You can nominate a friend, a colleague, or yourself for the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians' highest honor. You can meet past winners of this prestigious award and read their Keystone Physician profiles, as well as meet the past winners, on our Family Physician of the Year webpage!
Winter Storm Avery to bring snow, ice to Pa. Nov. 15, 2018
So much for autumn. In parts of Pennsylvania, a wintry mix of snow and ice is already falling, with most of the state bracing for some accumulation and potentially hazardous conditions. The Pa. Department of Health has offered some tips for shoveling safely, and AAA has some helpful hints for driving in severe weather. Remember to check on your neighbors, too!
'Legacy prescribing' a problem in primary care Nov. 14, 2018
Nearly half of patients have been prescribed a medication for longer than necessary. Medscape reports a recent study in Annals of Family Medicine has discovered that "legacy prescribing" - the prescription of drugs for a longer period than is typically needed to treat a condition - is a major problem in the primary care setting, which is often the coordinating center and gatekeeper.
What are Pa. patients treating with medical marijuana? Nov. 13, 2018
Chronic pain tops the list of conditions that Pennsylvania patients are using medical marijuana to treat. According to Philly.com, an informal survey has found up to 70 percent of patients are using the treatment for pain. Other common conditions include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and autism, with dispensary officials claiming anecdotal evidence of success.
Grant to improve behavioral health, primary care integration Nov. 9, 2018
The Wolf Administration has announced a $10 million grant to the Department of Human Services' (DHS) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to better integrate primary care and mental health care services. According to DHS, the funding was awarded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Patients only use a fraction of opioids given after surgery Nov. 8, 2018
But, according to a new study out of the University of Michigan, the more they're prescribed, the more they take. The size of the prescription may be the most important factor in determining how many pills a patient will take - more than their pain scores, the intensity of the operation, and other personal factors. The study used in-depth data from 2,392 patients.
Election results: Wolf, Casey remain; Dems take U.S. House Nov. 7, 2018
Gov. Tom Wolf was elected to a second term as Pennsylvanians turned out to vote yesterday; Sen. Bob Casey held onto his Senate seat. Democratic women also made inroads, reports PennLive, dismantling the state's all-male Congressional delegation of the past four years. Nationally, the GOP held onto the Senate; Democrats fell short of a "Blue Wave" but took the House.
Today's the day to get out and vote Nov. 6, 2018
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians encourages all of its members to do their civic duty and vote today in this important midterm election. The PA Voter Services website has information on your polling place. Click here to locate your voting district. Also, PennLive has assembled a voters guide for this election - simply input your district to view the candidates.
Tomorrow: Election Day 2018 Nov. 5, 2018
Tomorrow, all of Pennsylvania's 203 House seats and 25 of the 50 Senate seats are on the ballot. With many retirements, there are battles ongoing for open seats, and many incumbents face tough re-election challengers. National observers will be closely watching for the results of Pennsylvania’s congressional seats after the complicated process of establishing new district lines.
PAFP spends weekend at Nemacolin Nov. 1, 2018
This weekend, dozens of family physicians will join the PAFP at the beautiful Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Southwestern Pennsylvania. More than 25 CME credits are available on topics ranging from thriving under pressure as a physician to opioid prescribing, including plenty of patient safety credits. Follow us on Twitter over the weekend - we hope to see you there!