PRACTICE SUPER BOWL SAFETY ON GAME DAY (Jan. 30, 2015)
Super Bowl XLIX is on Sunday, Feb. 1. Remember to celebrate safely - drink in moderation, and never drink and drive! Also, know the facts about concussion and young athletes if your kids decide to act out the big game in the back yard. Finally, here are some healthy eating tips and Super Bowl recipes. Enjoy the game!
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STUDY: BURNOUT RATES AMONG FAMILY PHYSICIANS SOAR (Jan. 29, 2015)
Family physicians are burning out, according to a new report conducted by Medscape. In fact, half of family physicians across all age categories say they feel burned out, giving an average score of 4.17 on a scale between 1 ("does not interfere with my life") and 7 ("so severe I'm thinking about leaving medicine").
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SEND VALENTINE'S DAY E-CARD TO LOVED ONES (Jan. 28, 2015)
Can you feel love in the air? Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Show a patient or a loved one that you care about their health with the PAFP Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Initiative's Valentine's Day e-card - it reminds them to get their CRC screening. Click here to view, customize, and send the e-card!
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PHYSICIANS RESPOND TO MEDICAID PAY BUMP (Jan. 27, 2015)
According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, a temporary, two-year Medicaid pay rate increase made it easier for some to book an appointment with a doctor. Newsworks reports some doctors were not enticed, and PAFP President Douglas Spotts, MD said he hopes for longer-term system improvements.
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STUDY: VACCINE DENIERS STICK TOGETHER (Jan. 23, 2015)
Amid a measles outbreak that began at Disneyland and has grown to 62 cases, a new study reports that people who reject vaccines for their children tend to cluster together in the same communities. That's dangerous, according to the Washington Post, because it increases the risk of the disease spreading.
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HEALTH CARE WADING INTO NET NEUTRALITY DEBATE (Jan. 22, 2015)
Is health care joining the network neutrality debate? Modern Healthcare reports three health care trade groups sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission asking it to reject the strictest rules being considered to guarantee net neutrality. Others contend net neutrality is beneficial to the health care industry.
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REGISTER NOW FOR ABUSE RECOGNITION TRAINING (Jan. 21, 2015)
The PAFP will be hosting a Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) CME training session at its Valley Forge CME Conference. Due to state requirements, you must pre-register for the session by Friday, March 6 - no walk-ins will be allowed. Click here to view the complete conference agenda and register.
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PA. AWAITS FEDERAL DECISION ON MEDICAID PLAN (Jan. 20, 2015)
Pennsylvania is waiting to adjust benefits on one of its Healthy PA Medicaid plans until the federal government decides to approve it. WITF reports the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wanted more information on the low-risk plan. The decision won't matter if Gov. Tom Wolf scraps Healthy PA entirely.
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SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT FOR RESEARCH DAY (Jan. 16, 2015)
Abstract submission and registration for Research Day is officially open! Taking place March 21 during the Valley Forge CME Conference and Annual Business Meeting, Research Day allows students, residents and physicians to present their research to a supportive audience of peers. Click here to register today!
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INACTIVITY MAY BE TWICE AS DEADLY AS OBESITY, STUDY FINDS (Jan. 15, 2015)
As many Americans are in the early stages of their resolutions to exercise more, a new study has found that even minimal activity is beneficial. According to Medscape, the research has shown twice as many deaths are attributable to lack of activity than obesity - and that even 20 active minutes a day makes a difference.
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEBCAST SERIES BEGINS (Jan. 14, 2015)
Today is the start of the PAFP's Emergency Preparedness and Primary Care mini-webcast series. These six lunchtime webcasts are worth .5 CME credit each - and they're free! Topics include risk assessment, evaluating the practice emergency plan, and communications in emergencies. Click here to register.
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CDC URGES USE OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS FOR FLU (Jan. 13, 2015)
This season's influenza epidemic is shaping up to be one of the worst in years, partially because the vaccine currently available is a bad match for this year's dominant strain. CBS News reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging the use of antiviral drugs to help stave off infections.
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CARE COORDINATION GETS MEDICARE PAY BUMP (Jan. 12, 2015)
Care coordination is paramount in keeping patients healthy and costs low, and beginning this month, Medicare will pay doctors a monthly fee to coordinate vulnerable seniors' chronic care - even without a face-to-face visit. The Associated Press reports the new fee is about $40 per patient with multiple chronic illnesses.
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REGISTER TODAY FOR VALLEY FORGE CME CONFERENCE (Jan. 9, 2015)
Registration is now open for the PAFP's first live event of 2015, the Valley Forge CME Conference and Annual Business Meeting. Enjoy a full weekend of 16 CME credits, a SAM study group, Research Day, commission meetings, and the installation of the PAFP's 2015-16 president. Click here to register today!
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TIME RUNNING OUT! NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE DOCTOR (Jan. 8, 2015)
There's still time to nominate a friend, colleague, or yourself for 2015 Family Physician of the Year ... but hurry! The nomination deadline is Jan. 19, 2015. Visit the 2015 Family Physician of the Year webpage for the complete contest rules, profiles and media coverage on past winners, and the nomination form. |
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BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE: WINTER WEATHER SAFETY (Jan. 7, 2015)
Extreme cold has settled over much of the U.S.; in Pennsylvania, wind chills below zero are expected in many counties. Such temperatures are dangerous and even deadly, especially for children, older adults, and people with disabilities, so learn these winter weather safety tips from the American Red Cross.
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON PAFP LEADERSHIP BY JAN. 10 (Jan. 6, 2015)
PAFP members, you are responsible for the way this organization is governed! Do you feel that PAFP leadership is effective? What direction would you like it to take in the future? Please click here to take a brief survey that will help the PAFP's leadership better serve its members. The deadline is Jan. 10, 2015.
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DOCTORS FACING STEEP MEDICAID PAYMENT CUTS (Jan. 5, 2015)
A two-year bump in Medicaid reimbursements to physicians ended on Dec. 31, 2014. That means doctors across the United States are now seeing an average fee reduction of 43 percent, according to USA Today. Some are concerned that the cuts will limit care access if physicians stop taking Medicaid patients.
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