May 12, 2011

MAFP E-BULLETIN, May 2011, VOL.5, NO. 5

In this issue:

Maryland Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Defense and Study Bill

Members be Advised of Revised Nominations Slate

DHMH Seeks Input on Measures for Maryland's State Health Improvement Plan 2011-2014

Healthy Weight Collaborative Call for Applications

State Society Adopts Patient Protection Principles

Upcoming Conferences, Meetings, Events

Environmental Scan and News You Can Use

Maryland Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Defense and Study Bill

Maryland became the 16th state to remove criminal penalties for the medical use of marijuana earlier this week when Gov. Martin O’Malley signed SB 308 as promised. The bill allows seriously ill patients to avoid prosecution when charged with marijuana possession and creates a commission to study medical marijuana laws and make recommendations on how Maryland can institute such a program.

Under the new law, individuals diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, can avoid conviction if charged with the non-public use or possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. An existing sentencing mitigation will remain part of the law, meaning patients who don’t qualify for the full affirmative defense would still have the opportunity to present evidence of medical necessity and have their sentence reduced to a $100 fine. In addition, a work group consisting of medical, legal and law enforcement experts would be convened to recommend more comprehensive legislation next year. Advocates hope to be able to use that recommendation to pass a bill that offers patients complete protection from arrest and prosecution.

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Members be Advised of Revised Nominations Slate

This will serve as notice to MAFP members that the Annual Business Meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 24, 2011 in conjunction with the 2011 MAFP Annual CME Assembly at the Clarion Fontainebleau Resort Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland (see promotion above). Important matters included in the meeting agenda will be member votes on the 2011 Slate of Officer and Director Nominations, as well as draft Bylaws Changes which would further streamline MAFP’s committee structure in keeping with the 2011 Strategic Planning Report. Newly elected officers will be installed by AAFP President-Elect Dr. Glen R. Stream of Spokane, WA. Members are encouraged to review the revised Slate, Bylaws Changes and Strategic Planning Report in the “Current Events” section at www.mdafp.org.  In early June, the complete Annual Business Meeting materials will be posted on the MAFP website. These will include meeting agenda, year-end synopsis of key activities and other important informational items for members. We hope to see you at the meeting!

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DHMH Seeks Input on Measures for Maryland's State Health Improvement Plan 2011-2014

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is seeking comments from the public on key statewide health measures outlined in the Maryland State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) 2011-2014. This project aims to improve the health of Marylanders and their communities. There is a special emphasis on promoting health equity. Visit Maryland State Health Improvement Plan.
 

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Healthy Weight Collaborative Call for Applications

HRSA’s Healthy Weight Collaborative, a national quality improvement effort to prevent and treat obesity, is now recruiting community teams to participate in Phase One. Does your community/potential team have the current capacity to participate in the Collaborative? This capacity includes existing linkages between primary care, public health, and community organizations, and experience in obesity prevention. Please note, Phase Two of the Collaborative will offer another opportunity for additional teams to participate who may not be ready at this time.

Background: In September 2010, HRSA awarded funds for the creation of the Prevention Center for Healthy Weight to the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) to manage and implement the Healthy Weight Collaborative. In this two-phased national quality improvement effort, teams comprised of representatives from primary care, public health, and the community will implement, test, and disseminate promising and evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat obesity for children and families using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative approach.

Call for Applications: Interested teams may apply for Phase One of the Collaborative, which will be conducted between June 2011 and July 2012. In this first phase, 10 teams with representation from primary care, public health and the community with previous experience working together on healthy weight will be selected. Teams will participate in two in-person Learning Sessions (September 2011 and May 2012) and 1 virtual Learning Session (January 2012). The online application can be found at: http://www.collaborateforhealthyweight.org/getinvolved.html. (Click on the “Apply Now” orange box in the left column of the page). Applications are currently being accepted and are due by June 3, 2011.

For more information about the Healthy Weight Collaborative and how to get involved please visit the project’s website: www.collaborateforhealthyweight.org. If you have any further questions, please contact Natasha Coulouris at (ncoulouris@hrsa.gov) or (301) 443-0177, or Rachel Clement at (rclement@hrsa.gov) or (301) 443-8747.
 

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State Society Adopts Patient Protection Principles

MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, adopted a set of Patient Protection Principles during their House of Delegates meeting last month. It is among the most comprehensive patient protection policy statements of its kind in the nation. The principles, developed in response to growing physician concern over the intrusion of insurers into the patient-provider relationship, aim to reinstate providers as the key decision makers for the patients they treat. The Patient Protection Principles will guide future legislative actions, including sponsoring, supporting and opposing legislation. As such, they will help to ensure that Maryland patients have access to timely, effective and therapeutically appropriate care.

Here is a link to the Principles.
 

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Upcoming Conferences, Meetings, Events

• Baltimore City Medical Society, MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society and the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) present "Health Information Technology and the Physician's Practice," a continuing medical education program, Saturday, June 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at MedChi's Baltimore location. 1211 Cathedral Street. Keynote speaker is Patrick Hamilton, Regional Representative, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion with state and regional government and health organization representatives. BCMS will host an HIT Expo following the CME. Physicians will be able to talk with vendors at the Expo that have been certified to provide health information technology. To register for the CME and/or Expo, call 410-625-0022, info@bcmsdocs.org or www.bcmsdocs.org.
   

• Practical Research to Help You Improve Patient Outcomes: Figuring out which drug, test or surgery is best for a patient can be challenging. The Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a leader in patient-centered outcomes research that compares the benefits and harms of treatment options. Through AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, this research can help you determine which treatment fits an individual patient’s needs and preferences. This research is now available to you through personal 30-minute visits from clinicians. We encourage each clinician in your practice to participate. Unbiased research based on systematic reviews of literature on topics including diabetes, mental health and heart conditions will be presented and discussed. Learn how to take advantage of this unique opportunity at www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.
  
  SPECIAL NOTE: MAFP will offer this AHRQ research opportunity to registrants of its June Assembly. On Thursday, June 23rd , a table at the Assembly Luncheon (Clarion Hotel, Ocean City) will be marked for those wishing to participate (limited seating). Dr. Evelyn Lewis of Total Therapeutic Management, AHRQ’s representative, will be present to conduct the 30-minute research session.

• AAFP’s National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students: July 28-30, 2011; Kansas City, MO; Scholarships and Travel Assistance Available, visit www.aafp.org/nc or contact Lyndia Flanagan, AAFP Manager, Resident & Student Activities at lflanaga@aafp.org.
  
  Here’s a glimpse of what residents and students can expect:

  • Expand your medical knowledge and skill sets; learn from the experts.

  • Get a head start on career planning.

  • Be exposed to information and resources you won’t find elsewhere.

  • Choose education sessions from among six focus areas: career planning, clinical skills, health policy and advocacy, leadership development, practice management, and research.

  • Choose from lectures, workshops, procedural skills courses, clinics, and poster presentations covering 55 topics.

  • Learn more about the patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

  • Visit the many exhibitors in the Exposition Hall – with over 400 exhibitors, you don’t want to overlook a valuable contact.

  • Interact with hundreds of your peers from across the country.

  • Spend time with people passionate about Family Medicine.

  • Network with Family Medicine leaders.

  • Take advantage of this national forum to discuss issues and share ideas for a better health care system.

  • Enjoy two big parties – the Opening Social in the NC Exposition Hall and the Conference Celebration at Kansas City’s historic Midland Theatre.

  • Take advantage of the surroundings – within walking distance of the convention center and conference hotels is the nine-block Power & Light District – a mix of unique restaurants, clubs, live music venues, cafes, and one-of-a-kind entertainment attractions.

  • Come for all three days or come for one day – each day’s schedule offers a full range of education sessions and special activities.

• Family Medicine Global Health Workshop: San Diego, California, October 13-15, 2011. The theme of this year's workshop is Improving Health Systems: The Contribution of Family Medicine. We encourage Chapters to promote this meeting to members. For additional information on call for abstracts, registration and housing information, please visit the Web site. Questions? Contact Rebecca Janssen at ext. 4512.

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Environmental Scan and News You Can Use

• MGMA Dashboards Compare Practices - The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) website provides free, fast and easy dashboards to graphically compare practice data to national norms. These dashboards provide instant practice performance data in a visual gauge display and are simplified versions of the benchmarking tools found in the MGMA Physician Compensation and Production Survey Report and the Cost Survey Report. These reports are produced annually by MGMA and are based on data collected from thousands of practices around the country.

• Advanced practice RNs are frugal fix to doc shortage
  Fierce Healthcare, May 4, 2011 - “As hospitals struggle to ease the shortage of primary-care doctors, advanced practice nurses could pose an efficient and cost-effective solution. Enabling nurses to perform to the fullest extent of their training and allowing them to act as full partners with other healthcare professionals will help the healthcare industry produce much needed caregivers, and at lower costs, according to an article in the April issue of John Hopkins' Nursing Magazine.”

• 3 physician groups ask for repeal of SGR formula
  The Hill, May 4, 2011 - “The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Surgeons today will speak before the House Energy and Commerce Health subpanel to ask for replacement of the Sustainable Growth Formula with a system that would create new payment models and provide incentives for physicians and hospitals. The groups are also requesting a five-year transition period that would serve to test different payment models.”

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Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 747-1980 - Fax: (410) 744-6059
E-Mail: info@mdafp.org