KEEP THANKSGIVING HEALTHY WITH THESE TIPS (Nov. 26, 2014)
The average American will consume 4,500 calories and nearly 230 grams of fat this Thanksgiving day, reports CBS News. But there are things you can do to stave off the weight gain - click here for some helpful tips. The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians wishes you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday!
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CHILD ABUSE RECOGNITION, REPORTING TRAINING COMING (Nov. 25, 2014)
Pennsylvania's definition of child abuse has expanded, and that means new training for the recognition and reporting of child abuse among mandated reporters. The PAFP will be holding a training session at the Valley Forge CME Conference in March; the Pa. Dept. of Public Welfare will also hold training on its website.
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NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS SOME DOCTORS OVERWHELMED (Nov. 24, 2014)
Not all family physicians are eager about the technological advances in health care. NPR reports that some are overwhelmed with the up-front costs of going digital. Fortunately, Pennsylvania physicians have a solution - Primary Healthcare Consultants, the PAFP-affiliated health tech consulting firm.
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PA. SUPREME COURT: REOPEN HEALTH CENTERS (Nov. 21, 2014)
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has ruled that the state Dept. of Health must reopen community health centers that were shuttered as a cost-cutting measure. The court also said the state must cease closing others. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 16 rural health centers have been closed since last year.
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OBESITY EPIDEMIC COSTS $2 TRILLION GLOBALLY (Nov. 20, 2014)
The global obesity epidemic comes with a staggering $2 trillion economic price tag, according to a new study by the McKinsey Global Institute. CNBC reports that annual bill nearly equals the yearly costs of war and smoking. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates obesity takes 3.4 million lives a year.
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UPDATES: PROVIDER PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS (Nov. 19, 2014)
Providers who met the criteria for the eRx Supplemental Incentives for the 2012 reporting period should see a 1 percent payment increase in a lump sum to their Taxpayer Identification Number. See the latest issue of Progress Notes for information on the Physician Quality Reporting System payment adjustment.
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FREE CME: GET IT BEFORE IT'S GONE! (Nov. 18, 2014)
Covering relevant clinical topics from asthma to pre-diabetes, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians offers a bevy of free, high-quality online CME. Some of these sessions are scheduled to expire, such as ADHD Goes to Work, Prescription Drugs in America, and Vaccine Potpourri - so get it before it's gone!
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FEDERAL HEALTH CARE SITE OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT (Nov. 17, 2014)
The federal health care marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which covers 37 states including Pennsylvania, is now up and running for patients to enroll in plans. Kaiser Health News reports the site is running far more smoothly than it did during last year's disastrous rollout, with only a few minor glitches to report.
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NEED HELP WITH PRACTICE TRANSFORMATION? (Nov. 14, 2014)
Practice transformation can be difficult, from choosing an electronic health record system to becoming a patient-centered medical home. Primary Healthcare Consultants, an affiliate with the PAFP, has all the tools and knowledge you need to make practice transformation easy and successful. Click here to learn more.
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PA. FLU CASES EXPECTED TO RISE IN COMING WEEKS (Nov. 13, 2014)
If you haven't yet received your flu shot, now would be a great time to get it, reports the Lebanon Daily News. While cases in Pennsylvania are sporadic, officials expect an increase in the coming weeks. While each flu season is different - and hard to predict - there's no better time than the present to get vaccinated!
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SEARCH IS ON FOR 2015 FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR (Nov. 12, 2014)
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians is looking for the best doctor in the Commonwealth! The 2015 Family Physician of the Year contest has kicked off, and we want to know why you or a colleague may be the finest family physician in the state. For full details and rules, please visit www.pafp.com/topdoc.
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HEALTHCARE.GOV WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING (Nov. 10, 2014)
While shoppers cannot yet enroll in a plan, the improved federal health care website is open so users can review plans and prices, reports the New York Times. The new website is reportedly easier to use than last year's version, which was plagued with technical problems for weeks after its Oct. 1 launch.
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PAFP EVENTS KICK OFF IN PITTSBURGH, STATE COLLEGE (Nov. 7, 2014)
The PAFP's final live educational event of the year, the Pittsburgh CME Conference, is well under way this morning. It lasts through Nov. 9. The Residency Program Collaborative is also hosting a learning session today in State College. Follow both events on Twitter at #PittsburghCME and #StateCollegeRPC!
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CRC RATES RISE IN YOUNG ADULTS (Nov. 6, 2014)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) rates, which have been falling in older adults, are rising in young adults. According to Medical News Today, the number of CRC cases in those aged 20-49 are expected to continue increasing over the next 15 years. Visit the PAFP's CRC Screening Collaborative for information on CRC prevention.
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WOLF OUSTS GOV. CORBETT; GOP ADDS TO MAJORITIES (Nov. 5, 2014)
In the midst of a "GOP wave" that saw Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate, Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett was defeated by Democrat Tom Wolf. As WITF News reports, the governor-elect may have his work cut out for him, as state Republicans added to their majorities in both chambers, mimicking national trends.
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FALL 2014 ISSUE OF KEYSTONE PHYSICIAN OUT NOW (Nov. 4, 2014)
The Fall 2014 issue of Keystone Physician is now available! This issue details the development of Primary Healthcare Consultants, a health information technology consulting company developed by the PAFP. As always, you'll hear from the PAFP president, read all the latest member news, and so much more!
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REPORT: WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE LAGS IN PA. (Nov. 3, 2014)
Pennsylvania is lagging on women's health care, according to the 2014 Women's Health Report Card for Pennsylvania. A column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that the Keystone State received a "D" grade in health care outcomes for women, with non-white women in particular affected negatively.
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