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NYCU September 3, 2024



SDCMS News You Can Use
 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

Paul HegyiPHYSICIANS: In preparation for the upcoming implementation of an electronic POLST registry, California physicians are urged to participate in a POLST Provider Knowledge Survey by September 30, 2024. This survey is being conducted by the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California and the Emergency Medical Services Authority.

Physician Orders for Life–Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, is a legally recognized document, similar to the widely used “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders. The POLST form, used for patients with a serious illness or whose life expectancy is a year or less, outlines a plan of care reflecting the patient’s wishes concerning medical treatment and interventions at life’s end.

The POLST form complements an advance directive by turning a patient’s treatment preferences into actionable medical orders. POLST kits and more information are available in the CMA Store.

PROGRESS ON PHYSICIAN MENTAL HEALTH | CMA PRAISES MEDICAL BOARD REFORMS, CALLS FOR SIGNING OF AB 2164 WHICH WILL FURTHER PROTECT A PHYSICIAN’S RIGHT TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
 
California Medical Association (CMA) has praised the Medical Board of California’s decision to revise its licensure application to reduce the stigma around mental health for physicians and also called for the Governor to sign AB 2164.

“Physicians face unique stressors and challenges in their work that often lead to burnout, depression and even suicide,’ said CMA President Tanya W. Spirtos, MD. “This decision by the medical board is a critical step to ensuring physicians can access critical mental health care without worrying about jeopardizing their careers.”

CMA is currently sponsoring Assembly Bill 2164 by Assemblymember Marc Berman, which would prohibit the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California from asking invasive questions that stigmatize care on licensure applications. The bill advanced off the Senate floor and will next head to the Governor’s office for signature.

The medical board’s previous licensure application for physicians and surgeons may have inadvertently discouraged physicians from seeking mental health care. At its August 22 meeting, the medical board amended the application to make clear to physicians that seeking care is encouraged.

IT’S POST-LABOR DAY | THE FINAL CAMPAIGN PUSH IS ON TO PASS PROP 35 IN NOVEMBER!
 
It’s now past Labor Day, the traditional political starting point of the general election campaign and our final push to pass Prop 35, the November ballot initiative that would secure dedicated funding to keep hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices open.

The Yes on 35 coalition of doctors, healthcare workers, community health centers, hospitals and emergency responders from across California has launched a new Action Center to activate supporters. This ballot measure is the top priority of California Medical Association and San Diego County Medical Society.

Physicians are trusted messengers across regional and partisan lines and are important advocates to ensure California votes Yes on 35 to protect and expand access to health care.

Visit the Action Center now to:
 
 
Share Your Story: In your own words, tell us why you support Prop 35.
 
Post on Social Media: Share with your friends and family why you are voting #Yeson35.
 
Order Campaign Swag: Request campaign materials for you to show your support.
 
Email a Friend: Tell your friends and family why you support YES on Prop 35!
 
Download Materials: Get the latest campaign materials.

We need your help. So please sign–up and join the effort to gain voter approval for this crucial effort to improve health care funding in California!

FINAL REMINDER | DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAMS THAT APPLY FOR CALMEDFORCE GME GRANTS
 
The application window for CalMedForce’s graduate medical education (GME) annual grants is closing. There is over $25 million available to award to medical residency programs in this cycle. This year’s application will only be open until September 16, 2024.

Awardees are selected based on their ability to support and expand the physician workforce to meet the demands of California’s diverse and growing patient population, with a focus on medically underserved populations. Eligible GME programs include family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and emergency medicine. Additionally, combined programs with at least one eligible discipline are welcome to apply.

For more information, visit CalMedForce.org.

As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO

 WHAT TO KNOW …
 
CAHAN ALERT Health Advisory: Increase in Extensively Drug–Resistant Shigella Specimens  CLICK HERE
 
CAHAN ALERT Health Advisory: Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the United States  CLICK HERE
 
Breast Cancer Spikes Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Women  CLICK HERE
 
California Fines Blue Shield for Illegally Charging Patients for Contraceptives  CLICK HERE
 
Coronavirus Vaccines, Once Free, are Now Pricey for Uninsured People  CLICK HERE
 
Health Shrinkflation: Patients Wait More for Less  CLICK HERE
 
Doctors Use Problematic Race–Based Algorithms to Guide Care Every Day. Why Are They So Hard to Change?  CLICK HERE
 
Patients See Narrow Networks in ACA Marketplace Plans, KFF Finds  CLICK HERE
 
IUD Insertions Can Hurt. The CDC Advises Doctors to Do More to Reduce the Pain  CLICK HERE
 
Cannabis, Hallucinogen Use at ‘Historically High Levels’: Research  CLICK HERE
The Doctors Company
 WHAT TO DO …
 
SEP 10, 2024: 12-1pm, FREE Webinar for Members, Non–Members, NPs, and PAs, sponsored by CMA and CDPH, ‘Virtual Grand Rounds: California’s Surgeon General on Strong Start and Beyond’. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death for ALL Californian’s. Data shows cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death for new mothers from pregnancy up until the first year post–partum. We’ll hear from CA Surgeon General Diana E Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, about a multistakeholder movement ‘Strong Start and Beyond’ spearheaded by the Surgeon General’s office. The program is dedicated to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, emphasizing on addressing disparities with a concentrated focus on cardiovascular disease across the lifespan. CME credit available  CLICK HERE
 
OCT 1, 2024: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by The Doctors Company, ‘Patient Dismissal: The Last Resort’. Dismissing a patient, while sometimes necessary, is accompanied by risks physicians should be aware of. We will provide information and guidance on best practices when dismissing a patient from your medical practice, and provide guidance to avoid risking patient abandonment plus how to appropriately document the patient dismissal process  CLICK HERE
 
OCT 10, 2024: 12-1pm, FREE Webinar for Members, Non–Members, NPs, and PAs, sponsored by CMA and CDPH, ‘Virtual Grand Rounds: Caring for Youth at Risk for Suicide’. 13% of young people and 39% of LGBTQ+ youth have suicidal thoughts, yet many of the health care settings where they seek care have little or no capacity to treat youth in crisis. We will hear from Sharonne Herbert, PhD, MSW, and Abigail Ross, PhD, MSW about their work to bring family–based crisis intervention (FBCI) to an emergency department in CA and adapting FBCI for primary care so young people can begin stabilization and treatment early. We’ll also hear from CA State Epidemiologist Erica Pan, MD, MPH about the status of COVID–19 and influenza, as well as other emerging public health initiatives. CME credit available  CLICK HERE
 
THRU NOV 30, 2024: FREE On–Demand Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and CDPH, ‘Break the Bias: Health Equity and the Importance of Screening and Referring for Diabetes Prevention’. This 2 hour virtual event features expert advice on how to screen patients for prediabetes, refer them to the National Diabetes Prevention Program, steps to identifying and overcoming barriers to screening, and how referrals can advance health equity. 2 CME credits available  CLICK HERE
AKW Medical
 WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH  …
 
CMA in the Courts  READ HERE
 
Podcast ‘What the Health?’ Let the General Election Commence  LISTEN HERE
 
Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia  WATCH HERE
 
Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5)  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Video Archive: View our FREE digital catalog of videos & webinars  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Are You Aware and Prepared for New California Laws?  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 1)  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 2)  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Top Five Risks for Your Practice  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Will Your Documentation Defend You?  WATCH HERE
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