http://www.fafp.org/index.php en JYoung@fafp.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-03T16:15:22+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/texas_afp_overcomes_attempts_to_legislate_independent_practice_for_nurses http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/texas_afp_overcomes_attempts_to_legislate_independent_practice_for_nurses#When:16:15:22Z Texas AFP Overcomes Attempts to Legislate Independent Practice for Nurses

A mostly rural state, Texas is experiencing a shortage of family physicians and other primary care physicians. In response, both local and national organizations representing advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNS, have tried to obtain rights for these nurses to practice independently in the state, a move that has been strongly disputed by the Texas AFP, or TAFP. Read more.]]> 2012-02-03T16:15:22+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/abfm_update_regarding_board_eligibility http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/abfm_update_regarding_board_eligibility#When:13:14:40Z
The term ‘board eligible’ has never been recognized by member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), including the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), but the term continues to be used by credentialing organizations and others to recognize non-certified physicians as having equivalent status. In practice, no limit exists on how long a non-certified physician could remain board eligible. The abuse of the board eligible term and status perpetuated the ability of poorly qualified physicians to practice outside of their initial certification with a risk to patients and resulted in a lack of relationship between the initial certifying examination and training as a concurrent/synergistic measure of physician competency.

In an effort to resolve this confusion for the credentialers and the patients, all member boards of the ABMS agreed to establish parameters under which non-certified physicians could actually be recognized as being board eligible and to further define the time limit for such board eligible status.

The ABFM Board of Directors decided at its meeting in October, 2011 that it would define board eligibility as the first seven years after loss of certification or the completion of an ACGME accredited residency training program. Therefore, beginning January 1, 2012, a physician will have seven years in which to successfully complete his or her initial certification examination after completing training or, if previously certified, will have seven years after the loss of certification to successfully complete the examination.

During this seven-year period, these board eligible physicians will have to continue to meet the ongoing requirements to sit for the examination and must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted license. After this seven-year period, the physician will lose the ability to refer to himself or herself as board eligible and will need to re-enter training and complete at least one year of additional training in an ACGME accredited family medicine residency before he or she will be allowed to reapply to sit for the examination. This rule will be effective January 1, 2012, and as further details of the program are developed they will be published.

For questions regarding the board eligibility, Diplomates may contact the Support Center at 877-223-7437 or help@theabfm.org.]]> 2012-01-26T13:14:40+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/womens_health_screening_recommendations http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/womens_health_screening_recommendations#When:19:57:06Z
Important information from the FAFP Women's Health Subcommittee - Women's Health Screening Recommendations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently approved new guidelines to ensure women receive key preventative health services at no additional cost. These new guidelines were based on the recent Institute of Medicine report to include recommendations for well-woman visits, breastfeeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception. Health plans must now cover women’s preventive services without additional charges of a co-payment or deductible.

Many experts have published guidelines for the various screening tests necessary for maintenance of optimal health and disease prevention. The following tables are based upon the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations which are supported by the AAFP. These guidelines are intended for the average risk woman and modifications should be made to accommodate special populations and those at increased risk.

For more information on the HHS guidelines and IOM report for women’s preventive services:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/08/20110801b.html
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Clinical-Preventive-Services-for-Women-Closing-the-Gaps.aspx
]]> 2012-01-19T19:57:06+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/rheumatoid_arthritis_effective_management_strategies_for_patient_tailored_c http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/rheumatoid_arthritis_effective_management_strategies_for_patient_tailored_c#When:16:25:17Z REGISTER TODAY]]> 2012-01-18T16:25:17+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/controlled_substances_model_consent_form http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/controlled_substances_model_consent_form#When:22:03:25Z
FAFP has developed a generic, Model Consent Form for use in your office. FAFP members are encouraged to review this form, along with any patient/physician agreements, with legal counsel to ensure sufficient proper compliance for your practice.]]> 2012-01-05T22:03:25+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/controlled_substances_evaluation_program_e_forcse http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/controlled_substances_evaluation_program_e_forcse#When:22:01:35Z
Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation program (E-FORCSE) is Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). You are able to access a wealth of information by visiting E-FORCSE and the Florida Department of Health.

Health care practitioners can register with E-FORCSE to get access to the dispensing information to help guide their decisions in prescribing and also assist in identifying patients who are "doctor shopping" or trying to obtain multiple prescriptions for the same controlled substances from multiple health care practitioners.

If you have a question that is not addressed by the website, you can contact the E-FORCSE Program Manager, rebecca_poston@doh.state.fl.us at or (850) 245-4797.]]> 2012-01-05T22:01:35+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/area_medical_offices_become_centers_for_diabetes_excellence http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/area_medical_offices_become_centers_for_diabetes_excellence#When:03:57:49Z ]]> 2011-10-11T03:57:49+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/neirouz_bshara_joseph_simple_steps_for_a_healthier_you http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/neirouz_bshara_joseph_simple_steps_for_a_healthier_you#When:03:56:37Z
Here are 10 tips to follow to help you make 2011 your healthiest year.

• Visit your doctor. Remember to schedule a physical check-up with your family physician and discuss any medical concerns. With the changes in the health system, even Medicare patients can have two covered wellness visits a year.

• Complete a health inventory. Along with a yearly visit to your doctor, it's a good idea to review your medical history regularly. Did you know that adults need vaccines, too? In order to protect your family, it is important to update your vaccinations, especially with the recent whooping cough (Pertussis) epidemic emerging in our state.

• Quit smoking. Smokers attempting to quit are more successful if they get help provided by smoking cessation programs. There are many community resources available to you. Research a few options that you find applicable to your lifestyle at www.smokefree.gov. and check to see if your insurance covers cessation treatments.

• Cut back on alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol in moderation is OK, but overindulging can harm your health. Talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to suggest steps to take.

• Reduce stress. Studies show that one of the best ways to reduce stress is to get plenty of sleep. Also, plan at least an hour out of your day for a relaxing activity like reading a book, doing yoga or taking a walk.

• Lose weight. Minor weight loss can have a profound impact on your wellness, and shedding pounds does not require an entire makeover of your lifestyle - simply a reorientation of your mind-set and confidence that you can do it.

• Exercise. Join a gym or find a friend to walk with, load your iPod with your favorite tunes and get moving.

• Save money, reduce debt. Find small ways to save a few dollars a week, and you will see a big change over time. Pack a lunch for work, including a small treat. Pass over the snacks and sodas in the supermarket. You'll save money, and your body will thank you in the long run.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Often, there are sales at the grocery store, highlighting specific fruits or vegetables. Frozen and dried variations are just as healthy and will last longer. The next time you make a meal for yourself, be sure to include a veggie that you enjoy.

• Review your insurance coverage. Sometimes at the end of year, insurance companies change the medications that are covered on their formularies. It's a good idea to make sure there haven't been changes in your plan. Have your co-pays changed? Does your health plan reimburse you for a gym membership?

By following these simple tips, you will be in charge of your own wellness, and 2011 is certain to be a great year.]]> 2011-10-01T03:56:37+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/cost_of_smoking_cessation_programs_save_lives http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/cost_of_smoking_cessation_programs_save_lives#When:05:58:43Z
While most health consequences are felt by the user and those around them, the economic impact of tobacco use is spread to everyone through health care costs, medical expenditures and even a loss of workplace productivity.

We have made great strides in reducing tobacco use through smoke-free air laws, increasing the cost of cigarettes and funding tobacco prevention programs.
Now it's time to help those who want to quit smoking succeed by ensuring full access to cessation products and services.
A recent report released by the American Lung Association, "Smoking Cessation: the Economic Benefits," revealed startling numbers related to the true costs of tobacco use in Florida.

Smoking can be linked to productivity losses of $4.4 billion, premature death losses of $7.9 billion and direct medical expenditures of $7.2 billion - totaling $19.6 billion in loss to the state.

Researchers combined these totals to best calculate the true cost of a pack of cigarettes in Florida, an astounding $16.43.
Giving every Floridian who wants to quit access to comprehensive smoking cessation programs and services will go a long way to reducing these costs.
Tobacco cessation programs have consistently proven effective, and as this latest research shows, the benefits of smoking cessation programs to the state and employers greatly outweigh the cost of implementing them.

In fact, smoking cessation is the most cost-effective wellness initiative employers can undertake.

In many cases, treating tobacco addiction requires a comprehensive approach, including counseling and medications.

It generally takes tobacco users several attempts before they quit for good.

We are dedicated to ensuring all tobacco users have barrier-free access to comprehensive tobacco cessation services.

If you would like more information on this issue, on our recent summit or to get resources regarding tobacco cessation coverage, visit the website of the Florida Tobacco Cessation Alliance.


http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2010-10-13/story/cost-smoking-cessation-programs-save-lives#ixzz1aXonZUFd]]> 2010-10-13T05:58:43+00:00 http://www.fafp.org/index.php/news/FP_News_R/heart_disease_why_cholesterol_matters http://www.fafp.org/index.php/site/heart_disease_why_cholesterol_matters#When:06:03:36Z
Over 65 million Americans have high blood cholesterol.

Blood tests for cholesterol include total cholesterol, LDL or lousy cholesterol; HDL or happy cholesterol and triglycerides (another fatty substance).

The total cholesterol includes all three of these. Although greater than 200 is a high number for total cholesterol, the values for the other numbers tell you more about your risk of heart disease.

Triglyceride levels are best at less than 150; and HDL, the happy or good cholesterol, is best if it is greater than 50 in women and 40 in men.

HDL is the clean-up cholesterol. It takes the bad lousy cholesterol (LDL) out of the arteries.

The best number for LDL depends on the other risks you have for heart disease. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease or you smoke, the best number many be as low as 70. If you have no risk factors a number of 130 may be OK.

If you have diabetes, your blood cholesterol tests are very important. Patients with diabetes often have low HDL and high triglycerides. Their total cholesterol may be normal, but they have a high number of small dense LDL particles.

These small dense LDL particles are dangerous because they enter the arteries and create plaque (build up of fat in an artery). A coronary artery (artery that feeds blood to heart muscle) with plaque in it can lead to a heart attack.

Every one of us should know our cholesterol numbers so we can strive to decrease our chances of heart disease. Diet helps, but high levels require medication.

Statin drugs are the best drugs for lowering cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about obtaining a cholesterol test so you know your levels of LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

Edward Shahady, Family Physician, Jacksonville

Source: The Florida Times Union]]> 2010-09-15T06:03:36+00:00