REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR PITTSBURGH CME CONFERENCE (May 30, 2014)
Join the PAFP in the "City of Bridges" and bridge the gaps in your learning at the Pittsburgh CME Conference, Nov. 7 through 9! You and your colleagues will network and learn amid relevant clinical sessions and exciting, fun events. Click here for the full conference agenda, and don't forget to register today! |
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REPORT: OBESITY NOW A GLOBAL ISSUE (May 29, 2014)
Obesity isn't just a problem in the United States, according to a study in Lancet: it's a worldwide health issue. In fact, USA Today reports, while more Americans are obese than any other nationality, the problem is proportionally worse elsewhere. Visit the PAFP's Public Health webpage for more information on obesity. |
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U.S. REP. FROM PA. CALLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION (May 28, 2014)
In the wake of yet another mass murder, lawmakers are turning their attention to mental health. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania has penned the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which, according to NPR's Here and Now, proposes better access to physicians for those struggling with mental illness. |
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LEARN ABOUT DPC AT DIRECT PRIMARY CARE SUMMIT (May 27, 2014)
Direct primary care (DPC) is such a new concept that you probably haven't heard about it in your medical school or residency curriculum. The Family Medicine Education Consortium is hosting a Direct Primary Care Summit in June for you to learn more about this model of care. Click here for details and to register! |
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DO YOU WANT TO WRITE FOR KEYSTONE PHYSICIAN? (May 23, 2014)
Everyone has a story to tell. That's why the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians is ready to begin publishing its members' original work in Keystone Physician. If you have an anecdote or opinion you'd like to share, join the Keystone Physician Member Submission Workshop on the PAFP Community to begin! |
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PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGE, OTHER ISSUES PLAGUE VA (May 22, 2014)
According to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, primary care visits within its system have jumped 50 percent over the last three years, compared with a scant 9 percent increase in primary care physicians. NPR reports that is not the only problem plaguing the VA, with patients split on whether it provides quality care. |
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PROPOSED RULE GIVES MEANINGFUL USERS FLEXIBILITY (May 21, 2014)
The Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a proposed rule that would give flexibility to eligible professionals in how electronic health records (EHR) software is used to reach Meaningful Use. The rule would allow options for providers unable to stay current with the latest software changes. |
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PRIVACY UNDER ATTACK BY FITNESS TRACKING APPS? (May 20, 2014)
While fitness tracking technologies help to keep patients active, some may be inadequately keeping personal data private. The Washington Post reports these apps and devices may be lax in the security department, and privacy advocates are concerned that the information could be shared by data miners and advertisers. |
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MAY 19 IS HEPATITIS TESTING DAY (May 19, 2014)
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and today, May 19, is Hepatitis Testing Day throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the millions of Americans who have chronic, viral hepatitis, most are unaware that they are affected. Please click here for more information. |
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REPORT: SOME DOCTORS OVERCHARGING FOR MEDICARE (May 16, 2014)
An investigation by nonprofit news organization ProPublica has found that hundreds of care providers billed at the most expensive Medicare reimbursement rate 90 percent of the time. In 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, 1,800 providers consistently billed for the most complex, expensive office visits.
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HHS NOMINEE SAILS THROUGH FINAL HEARING (May 15, 2014)
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Obama's nominee to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services, eased through her cordial final Senate hearing yesterday with broad bipartisan support. According to the Wall Street Journal, a Senate Finance Committee vote on Burwell's confirmation could come next week.
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PAFP LAUNCHES 'KEYSTONE PHYSICIAN' ARCHIVE (May 14, 2014)
Keystone Physician, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians' flagship publication, has now been conveniently archived on PAFP.com. Revisit your favorite issues by clicking here to visit the Keystone Physician Archive - read the issues online or easily download a copy! (Note: the archive is a member benefit.)
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DEFENSE DEPT. TO OVERHAUL EHR SYSTEM (May 13, 2014)
The U.S. Dept. of Defense intends to overhaul its electronic health records system. Politico reports the system, which covers about 10 million active duty and retired members of the military and their dependents,will be revamped to the tune of $11 billion - the biggest federal IT project since HealthCare.gov launched.
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LIVE DOT TRAINING THIS WEEKEND (May 12, 2014)
Join the PAFP on May 17 in Harrisburg for live DOT Medical Examiner Training! At the end of the daylong session, you'll receive your certificate of completion qualifying you to take the medical examiner test. Click here for details and to register. If you can't make it, the PAFP is also offering online, audio DOT training here. |
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HHS NOMINEE AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR CHIP (May 9, 2014)
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Obama's choice to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services, says shesupports continued funding of state Children's Health Insurance Programs. The Washington Post reports Pa. Sen. Robert Casey told Burwell at her confirmation hearing that Pennsylvania wants to "fund it at all costs."
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TELL MOM YOU CARE WITH MOTHER'S DAY E-CARD (May 8, 2014)
While colorectal cancer is largely preventable, it's the number-two cancer killer in the U.S. This Mother's Day, help the Colorectal Cancer Screening Collaborative wipe out this disease with a special e-card designed to tell your mother you love her and care for her health. Click here to view and customize the card.
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REPORT: MOST ACA PLAN PURCHASERS HAVE PAID UP (May 7, 2014)
Most Americans who have enrolled for plans under the Affordable Care Act are paying their premiums, according to the New York Times. The paper reports while about 80 percent of those previously uninsured Americans have paid, the total of 8 million people who have signed up includes many duplicate enrollments.
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PLENTY OF CME AVAILABLE ON PAFP.COM (May 6, 2014)
The PAFP's vast Online CME Catalog contains an array of relevant educational topics in multiple formats including monographs, video and audio webcasts, and more. Most of the CME is free, and the vast majority of topics qualify for patient safety credit. Visit the catalog and begin earning credit at your own convenience! |
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RPC, CHCC LEARNING SESSION COMING UP (May 5, 2014)
The Residency Program and Community Health Center Collaborative (RPC and CHCC) is excited to host its next learning session, June 6, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster. Learn to improve care and enhance coordination! Click here to register; learn more on the RPC and CHCC web page. |
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CDC: TWO-THIRDS OF U.S. DEATHS CAUSED BY FIVE THINGS (May 2, 2014)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two-thirds of U.S. deaths are caused by five largely preventable things. CNN reports heart disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke, and unintentional injuries are responsible for 900,000 deaths annually, underscoring the importance of preventive medicine.
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BIRD FLU VACCINE PREEMPTIVELY READIED (May 1, 2014)
The H7N9 bird flu is not yet known to transfer from person-to-person - but if it does, health workers will be ready to combat it. If the flu were to become a pandemic, researchers have already laid the groundwork for a vaccine, according to Philly.com and HealthDay. Multiple manufacturers are working on vaccine candidates. |
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