January 15, 2010

MAFP E-BULLETIN, January, 2010, VOL.4, NO.1

In this issue:

AAFP Foundation Supports Relief Efforts on the Ground in Haiti -- Request for Donations

Survey Seeks to Improve Health Care for Maryland Foster Youth

2010 Maryland Body Mass Index Survey

CMS Incentive for Eligible Providers for EHR Technology

Visiting Scholars Program Available Through Graham Center

2010 AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship

Degree of Fellow Can Now Be Bestowed at Chapter Meetings

Accountable Care Organizations Resources

AAFP Foundation Supports Relief Efforts on the Ground in Haiti -- Request for Donations

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Support relief efforts on the ground in Haiti by donating to the AAFP Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund.

rsupport relief efforts in the area. Contributions will go to help our partner relief agencies, Heart to Heart International and International Medical Corps. Both organizations are mobilized in this devastated area.

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Survey Seeks to Improve Health Care for Maryland Foster Youth

The Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP) is currently conducting a needs assessment of the health care needs of foster youth in Maryland.

MDAAP is currently working with the Maryland Department of Human Resources on this initiative which we’re beginning with a needs assessment, asking key stakeholders for input about the health care needs of foster youth. As part of this process, it is vital that we get input from as many professionals as possible who care for foster youth. Of course, this includes family physicians.

As a professional who may care for foster youth, we would appreciate your input about the health care needs of foster youth, based on your own experiences in working with this population. The information that you provide will be used to develop a state-wide system for health care for foster youth. Your input will help assure that health care needs of Maryland foster youth are addressed.

This survey should take only about 5-10 minutes to complete. All surveys are anonymous. The information that you provide will NOT be recorded in a manner that will enable us to identify you either directly or indirectly through identifiers. If you have not cared for foster youth recently, we ask that you please provide this information by completing survey question #1.

Click here to take the survey.
 

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2010 Maryland Body Mass Index (BMI) Survey

Please take a moment to complete the 2010 Maryland Body Mass Index (BMI) Survey, sponsored by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MD-AAP), and the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP). This survey is a follow-up to the 2005 BMI Survey. Since 2005, several educational efforts regarding BMI screening recommendations have been ongoing throughout the State. The purpose of this follow-up is to determine what changes may have occurred with providers' practice, to assess ongoing needs and to identify continued barriers to BMI utilization. The results will be used by the DHMH and the Maryland AAP Childhood Obesity Committee for program planning and educational program development.

We thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Please direct any questions or concerns to Marianne Hamilton Lopez mhamiltonlopez@dhmh.state.md.us. The deadline for completion is February 26, 2010.

Click here to take the survey.
 

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CMS Incentive for Eligible Providers for EHR Technology

In response to a MAFP member’s recent inquiry about the process for physician practices to apply for “stimulus” funding for electronic health record (EHR) systems, the AAFP Center for Health-IT responds:

Most likely, he is referring to the CMS incentive, provided by the ARRA legislation, that allows "eligible providers" to receive up to $44K over 5 years for becoming a "meaningful user" of "certified EHR technology." Proposed rules were released this month regarding some of the specifics and staff at the Center for Health-IT is in the process of reviewing the 700 page publication. The incentive becomes available in 2011 for providers involved with Medicare. Providers can receive larger payments and also get up front money through the Medicaid incentive but this requires a 30% Medicaid population in your practice to even begin to qualify. Providers can participate in the Medicare or the Medicaid incentive; not both. We will provide more information regarding the new regulations, after vetting our analysis with AAFP leadership.
There is an excellent review article about the incentives at http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2009/0700/p19.html 
 

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Visiting Scholars Program Available Through Graham Center

As the Robert Graham Center enters its 10th year, we count as one of our greatest blessings and successes the Larry A. Green Visiting Scholars Program, open to family physicians and primary care researchers at any stage of their training or career. Through the program, we support approximately 10 onsite collaborative interactions per year, averaging 4 weeks per visit. Scholars work directly with staff on original research projects of interest to them, towards a goal of a national publication and dissemination.

While onsite, work responsibilities may include: literature searches, assisting with manuscripts, drafting a position paper on a particular content area, attendance at hearings and committee meetings, data management, analysis of data sets, attendance at routine meetings of the Graham Center and ad hoc assignments based on current activity of the Graham Center. Our goal is that each scholar will develop a tangible product at the end of his or her internship as well as a longitudinal work-in-progress that permits ongoing interaction with the Graham Center. These may include a written product such as a background piece, Graham Center One-Pagers or a manuscript. The scholars will be recognized as authors of publications to which they made a significant intellectual contribution. 

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2010 AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship

AAFP announces the availability of two vaccine science fellowship positions for family physicians. The selected fellows will work with mentors to become more knowledgeable about vaccine science and policy.

Selected applicants will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical “hands on” experience through participation in meetings of leading experts in public health and immunizations, federal and state vaccine policy groups and vaccine manufacturers.

Submissions for the fellowships are requested by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). To learn more about the 2010 AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship, an informational document has been prepared. You may also visit the AAFP Immunization Resources website page for more information. Deadline: February 26, 2010.

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Degree of Fellow Can Now Be Bestowed at Chapter Meetings

The Degree of Fellow was established as an avenue for special recognition of AAFP members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues and communities by service to Family Medicine. Any active, inactive, or life member, in good standing may, upon application, be elected to receive the Degree upon fulfilling the appropriate requirements.

The 2009 Congress of Delegates adopted a Bylaws amendment that allows AAFP Fellows to be conferred and accept their certificate at the AAFP Scientific Assembly OR an annual meeting of their constituent Chapter. The Congress believed it is in the best interests of the AAFP to make it easier for members to pursue the Degree of Fellow.

Beginning in 2010, the Degree of Fellow application will provide a place for the member to elect to receive the Degree at a Chapter annual meeting or at the AAFP Scientific Assembly. AAFP staff will maintain a list of members from each state who wish to be conferred at a Chapter annual meeting and will provide those names to Chapters prior to their annual meeting. Official certificates and the Degree of Fellow pin will also be provided to Chapters whose members elect to be conferred at a Chapter annual meeting.

The MAFP will partner in this opportunity to expand this distinction by recognizing members who have attained the Degree of Fellow. Fellowship designations will be conferred during the Presidential, Installation and Awards Luncheon scheduled during the 2010 Annual CME Assembly scheduled for June 23-26, 2010 at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.
 

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Accountable Care Organizations Resources

Several new resources are available to members to help you become familiarized with Accountable Care Organizations.

AAFP Board Adopts Principles for Accountable Care Organizations, provides helpful background from Ken Bertka, MD, chair of AAFP's ACO Task Force. Dr. Bertka defines an ACO as a primary care-based collaboration of health care professionals and health care facilities that accept joint responsibility and accountability for the quality and cost of care provided to a defined patient population. The foundation of an ACO is primary care and the patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

Accountable Care Organizations Need Time to Develop, Mature provides new research findings related to ACOs.

Additional documents: AAFP ACO Guidelines/Principles, How to Create ACOs, ACO Presentation.

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Phone: (410) 747-1980 - Fax: (410) 744-6059
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