Family Physician Newsletter

E-news for February 23, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. IAFP News
2. Government Relations – LOCAL AND STATE
3. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
4. Tobacco News
5. CME Information
6. Members in the News
7. Students and Residents
8. News You Can Use
9. Reminders Worth Repeating
10. Classified Ads
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IAFP News

**The re-designed Family Physician February/March 2007 issue is now available online. The new format is easier to read and easier to navigate on your computer. Or you can always print it! http://www.iafp.com/newsletter/

You can also find back issues of Family Physician and E-news on that same page!

** MEETING YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY - SPRING INTO ACTION!
Did you know that IAFP members consistently rate “representation in government” as their #1 priority service for IAFP? Just give us 24 hours of your time and you can make a big contribution to that #1 priority.

March 6-7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield

Link to More information at http://www.iafp.com/calendar/SIA%202007.htm
Sign me up!! Go to: http://www.iafp.com/calendar/SIA_regform.htm

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STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

IAFP LEADERS PROVIDE INPUT ON UNIVERSAL ACCESS
Earlier this afternoon (Friday) IAFP executive leadership met with Illinois Medicaid Director Barry Maram and other officials from the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (IDHFS) via phone to give family medicine input as the State prepares a plan for access to health coverage for all Illinoisans. President Katie Miller, MD; president-elect Steve Knight, MD; first vice president Javette Orgain, MD; past-president Carolyn Lopez, MD; executive director Vince Keenan, CAE and vice president of government relations Gordana Krkic, CAE discussed the priority of higher fees for primary care services to ensure enough primary care physicians now and in the future to meet the need.

Governor Blagojevich will announce his plan on March 7 during his annual budget address to the Illinois General Assembly.

COOK COUNTY PASSES BUDGET – HOW WILL FAMILY MEDICINE FARE?
Several days ago, some Cook County employed family physicians received termination notices which were contingent upon the final budget approved by the County commissioners. Early Friday morning (Feb. 23), the commissioners approved a budget that eliminates an unknown number health care providers (doctors and nurses) and potentially closes 13 of 26 community clinics. That budget does restore the funding to the Access to Care program.

At press time we are still awaiting confirmation on what that budget will mean for family physicians and their patients in the County health system. We ask that IAFP members reach out to their FM family in Cook County and offer support or help where you can. IAFP will take action and keep members informed as appropriate with the guidance of our volunteer leaders in the Cook County Bureau of Health.

STATE ISSUES - ASK YOUR STATE REP TO CO-SPONSOR HB 1254
HB 1254 (Rep. Julie Hamos) reflects the efforts and recommendations of the Electronic Health Records Task Force. IAFP members should ask your state representative to support and co-sponsor this legislation. One of the missions of the Task Force was to formulate recommendations and an implementation plan on how to best implement secure and standardized electronic health records for Illinoisans and persons served by Illinois providers enabling improvement in patient safety, the efficiency of healthcare practice and the quality of both individual care and the Public Health.

Task Force members wanted to assure that electronic health records in Illinois become interoperable with other states consistent with federal standards, that patient legal and personal rights to privacy are safeguarded, and that the transport, management and uses of the data are appropriate to enhancing the safe provision of healthcare for individuals, providers and the public at large.

LINK TO THE FULL BILL: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1254&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=30009&SessionID=51

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPDATE FROM AAFP

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FAMILY MEDICINE TRAINING:
Congress has passed and on Feb. 15 President Bush signed legislation that will provide at least $24.6 million to family medicine training programs and also will boost funding for NIH and community health centers. The legislation, called a continuing resolution, will help keep the federal government's doors open at least through Sept. 30, which is when the federal government's current fiscal year ends.
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TOBACCO NEWS

SUPPORT A STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS
HB 246 – Smoke Free Illinois passes House committee:
The House Environmental Health committee passed HB 246 by a vote of 9-0-3 (9 yes, 0 no, 3 present). This is a big step forward towards a state clean indoor air act. The bill moves to the full House.

CALL, FAX or E-MAIL your state representative and ask them to vote YES for HB 246.
These are the current co-sponsors of the bill – if one of them is your rep, it’s always nice to call and say “thanks!”
House Sponsors
Karen A. Yarbrough - Annazette Collins - Barbara Flynn Currie - Carolyn H. Krause - Julie Hamos, Kathleen A. Ryg, Elizabeth Coulson, Jack McGuire, Sandra M. Pihos, Paul D. Froehlich, Eddie Washington, Constance A. Howard, William Davis, Karen May, Al Riley, Deborah L. Graham, Elizabeth Hernandez, Arthur L. Turner, Monique D. Davis, Marlow H. Colvin, Esther Golar, Elaine Nekritz, Luis Arroyo, Harry Osterman and Wyvetter H. Younge

COOK COUNTY WILL BE SMOKE FREE MARCH 15
Despite a last-minute attempt by some council members to delay the County Clean Indoor Air Act till July 2008, the ordinance will take effect as scheduled March 15. On Feb. 21 the Council split 8-8 on a vote to delay the ordinance, so the amendment did not pass.

Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at http://www.smokefreeillinois.org.

**TRASH THE “ASSISTANCE” FROM BIG TOBACCO
Phillip Morris has been sending “help” to providers and schools. Learn more about this bogus program and be sure to toss any advice from Big Tobacco:
http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/wheretoget.htm

CME Information:

*NEW IAFP ONLINE CME

1. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT: Strategies for Coding, Billing and Getting Paid Appropriately - Read the 2007 coding supplement to the original monograph. AAFP CME credit is pending.
LINK TO THE PRGRAM AT http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/701codingIAFP.pdf

2. ADOLESCENT HEALTH FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. The case-based CME program, Adolescent Health -Immunizations & Wellness, is available FREE on the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/education

**PRI-MED OFFERS TWO SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCES
Pri-Med, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, is proud to announce a new CME program on diabetes. Pri-Med Clinical Focus in Diabetes: “Risk Assessment and Management of the Diabetes Patient”, will be coming to Oakbrook, IL on May 12, 2007 and St. Louis, MO on June 9, 2007. As an Illinois Academy of Family Physicians member, Pri-Med will offer you the first opportunity to register for these intensive half-day programs which focus on a single topic critical in helping you manage the complex diabetes patient. Please visit http://www.pri-med.com/ada/r49 for additional program information or to register.

**ADVERTISEMENT
Earn CME Credits on St. Paddy’s Day Weekend!

Take this great opportunity to earn up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits in just two days at the 2007 Annual Midwest Clinical Conference (MCC), sponsored by the Chicago Medical Society. “Early Bird” rates of $125 for CMS/ISMS members and $175 for non-members end on 2/28/07.
Who should attend? Primary care physicians, hospitalists, residents and nurses.

Fri., March 16 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., March 17 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place 2233 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL

The Chicago Medical Society is a fully accredited continuing medical education provider. For more information or to receive a conference brochure, call 312-329-7338 or email erubio@cmsdocs.org or visit: http://www.cmsdocs.org.

Link to more information at: http://www.iafp.com/calendar/cms.htm

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Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.

*Adam Bennett, MD experiences the Super Bowl – Dr. Bennett, a family medicine professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine was one of 13 physicians to accompany the Bears to Miami for the Super Bowl. Not only did he treat the players themselves, Bennett also reports the privilege of caring for the players’ family members, including an expectant mother and a massage therapist who was hit by a motorcycle in Miami.

*Mary Pohlmann, MD – retired family physician in Carbondale was quoted in the Feb. 23 Daily Egyptian as one city council candidate who supports smoke-free air. Pohlmann is the Chair of Smoke-free Carbondale and was moved to run for office when the current council voted down a clean indoor air ordinance despite strong local support.

*Kevin Most, MD is quoted in today’s Elgin Courier as an expert source in a story about two Elgin teens who were hospitalized after overdosing on over-the-counter cold medicine. Most provided input on the disturbing trend of teens using OTC meds for a quick high. Chicago area radio listeners can catch Dr. Most on Saturday mornings at 11:45 am on the Steve Cochran show.

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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:

STUDENTS:

**M1 STUDENTS – MARCH 1 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Students can spend four weeks with a family physician to learn about the many ways family medicine contributes to the health of our state. The Summer Externship program also includes a $1,000 stipend. Applications must be postmarked by March 1.
Link to more information at: http://www.iafp.com/Foundation/externship.htm.

**M2s and M3s – ARE YOU READY FOR RESIDENCY? Didn’t think so!

“PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM”
Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine
April 14th - 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

IAFP Foundation presents a half-day event, supported by Illinois Family Medicine Residency programs, with three insightful workshops to help you get ready for the Match process. Workshops include “How to Select a Residency Program”, “How to Write a CV and Personal Statement” (bring your draft copy!), and “Interviewing Skills.” You’ll also get unmatched personal time with residency programs in an informal and fun setting. Plus, you’ll get to be one of the judges for the IAFP Tar Wars state poster contest!
LINK TO REGISTRATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/preparingforResidency.htm

Questions? E-mail Ginnie Flynn gflynn@iafp.com or Crishelle O’Rourke corourke@iafp.com.

*APPLY FOR A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE IAFP! Just complete the application form and send a CV to the IAFP headquarters ASAP. All students in Illinois are invited to apply. All attendees at the IAFP Foundation’s Preparing for Residency program April 14 at Loyola will vote to elect the new leaders.
LINK TO APPLICATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/leadership_application.htm

**RESIDENTS:

** Mark your calendars!
IAFP Resident Round-up: a combination of food, fun and finances!
Join us for a networking reception with an educational speaker on personal finances tailored to residents. Mingle, relax and learn along with your fellow residents.

Saturday, April 14th, 3-5 pm in Oak Park - http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupOakPark.htm

Thursday, April 19th at 5pm at the Springfield Hilton - http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupSpringfield.htm

*JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE
Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/

*Link to new resources for residents IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31!! Who are the superstars of family medicine education? Nominate your favorite full-time or part-time faculty for the IAFP Teacher of the Year Awards: http://www.iafp.com/PR/toy.htm

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

BridgingCare Planner for Quality Improvement

Although physicians know the essential elements of good clinical care for people with chronic conditions, there is a gap between what we know and what we are able to do. Physicians are doing their best, but too often the systems in which they work make it difficult to access clinical data that would improve medical care.

"We have already seen improvement in the quality of care our patients receive with the data we've been able to generate. Patients are getting more of the indicated tests that they need to have done and their outcomes have improved.”
John Anderson, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Duke University Affiliated Physicians

The Problem
Did you know…
• 46 percent of people in the U.S. have a chronic medical condition?
• 49 percent of these persons have more than one chronic condition?
• A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that patients with chronic conditions received only 56 percent of recommended care?

The Solution
Enhance your quality improvement efforts and chronic care management with the BridgingCare® Planner (BCP) patient registry.

A registry is a practical tool that enables you to monitor patient care on a routine basis. A registry provides a systematic approach to documenting the quality of care provided. The information is organized in one place for tracking and monitoring the care of either individual patients or a group of patients over time. Through a dynamic reporting capability, a practice can identify patients due for evaluation or intervention and follow specific indicators (e.g. A1c).

Have your questions about BCP answered at http://www.bridgingcare.com with a “Conversation with John Anderson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Duke University Affiliated Physicians,” or call Kristen Jackson, IAFP’s Briding Care Planner Project Manager at (630)435-0356, ext. 220.

**MEDICAID PCCM PROGRAM NOW MANDATORY IN COOK AND COLLAR COUNTIES
Illinois Health Connect is now mandatory in the Cook and Collar Counties (DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will). Mandatory Illinois Health Connect will follow in the Northwestern Region of Illinois and then in the Central and Southern Regions of the state.

Beginning February 16, 2007, client enrollment and choice education materials will be mailed to most HFS and All Kids Medical Card holders in the Cook and the Collar Counties requesting that they pick a medical home. Clients in the Managed Care (VMC) Counties will receive their choice education and enrollment packets from the Illinois Client Enrollment Broker. Clients in all other Counties will receive their enrollment packets from Illinois Health Connect.
For details, see http://www.illlinoishealthconnect.com.

**FREE PANDEMIC FLU PREPARNESS CONFERENCE
Pandemic Flu: A Corporate Medical Response" will provide pertinent information regarding Avian Flu, Business Continuity, and the medical issues related to pandemic planning. The event will be held on March 13th, at 8:30am, at the Marriott Chicago Downtown.
There is no charge for the event and breakfast will be served. For more information, link to http://www.affiliatedphysicians.net/email/index8.html
If you have any questions, please contact me, ashulman@affiliatedphysicians.net; 877-292-5546 ext. 102, or Ari Cukier at acukier@affiliatedphysicians.net; 877-292-5546 ext. 115.

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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING

** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31 FOR IAFP 2007 AWARDS NOMINATIONS!
1. The Family Physician of the Year Award
2. IAFP Media Award
3. Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year
4. Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year

Link to full information and nomination forms at http://www.iafp.com/PR/Award%20forms.htm

**TAR WARS
DON’T FORGET THE STATE POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 31!!
Link to full details and poster contest rules at: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/

**ISMIE LIFTS NEW BUSINESS MORATORIUM – STARTING APRIL 2007

ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company announced last week that they are lifting their new business moratorium on a limited basis. They cite improved loss experience and litigation reform as reasons to add up to 400 new policyholders beginning April 2007. Coverage applications will only be considered at the policyholder’s renewal date and is subject to ISMIE’s underwriting criteria. For more information or assistance with coverage consideration contact Estelle Markham at medmal@euclidinsurance.com or call 630-694-1410.

**WANTED: PROJECT FACULTY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
NEW!! Teleconference option! Speakers Training teleconferences being held on the following dates. You are invited to join the faculty for either topics, or both!

1. Social and Emotional Development: Screening Strategies for Primary Care Physicians
March 14, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST

2. Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit:
Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment
March 21, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST

To register, e-mail Jayne Kittell at jkittell@iafp.com

** HOMECARE GALA - March 10
HomeCare Physicians, founded by IAFP 2006 Distinguished Service Award recipient Tom Cornwell, MD of Wheaton will hold at 10th Anniversary celebration and fundraiser. HomeCare Physicians provide full scope family medicine through home visits to elderly and homebound patients. For more information or to order tickets, please contact Holly Kulikowski at holly_kulikowski@cdh.org

**AAFP and STFM PRESENT CONFERENCE ON PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT
2007 Call for Presentations deadline is March 12!
This year’s theme: “Moving into the Future” with a focus on infectious and communicable diseases.
You must use the on-line process at the Conference Web site at http://www.aafp.org/pec.xml or http://www.stfm.org/pec.

**ABFM SPORTS MEDICINE EXAM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
To complete an online application, Diplomates will need to log into their Physician Portfolio on the ABFM website, http://www.theabfm.org, and follow the Online Application link. For assistance with logging in or answers to other questions, Diplomates may contact the ABFM Support Center at (877) 223-7437.

Certification/Recertification/Sports Medicine Exam:
Registration Begins (Online Applications Available): February 1
1st Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,100: No Late Fee Assessed): February 28
2nd Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,250): March 31
3rd Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,400): April 30
Test Center Selection — Priority Seating Deadline: May 13
4th Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,550): May 31
Final Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,800): June 15

**FIND TOMORROW’S FPs WITH THE SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The IAFP Foundation is currently seeking preceptors for the 2007 Summer Externship Program to host a first-year medical student for four weeks.
Please contact Crishelle O’Rourke at corourke@iafp.com or 515-987-8978 for more information.
Link to an article by IAFP board member Deborah Edberg, MD about being a preceptor http://www.iafp.com/foundation/edberg.htm

CLASSIFIED ADS:

1. Looking for FT/PT Family Physician in growing Orland Park office. Contact Dr. Susan Rife - fax CV to 708-873-1204, or phone 708-873-1187 for info. No OB required. Resident or seasoned FP welcome

2. CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for a Family Physician for our Champaign office. Call will be 1/9. Very busy practice. The clinic is looking for a highly motivated FP who wants to work hard and be rewarded for it. The ideal candidate will be B/C and have two years of experience. Starting salary could be $170K, with lucrative bonus potential. No OB. Metro population of 140,000. Extremely livable area. Home of the University of Illinois, with comfortable college town lifestyle and many cultural amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Send CV to Christopher Kashnig, Christie Clinic, 101 W. University, Champaign, IL 61820. Phone 217-366-5374. Fax 217-373-6872. e-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com.

If you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com