IAFP e-News for March 6, 2009

IAFP News

**3 QUESTION FACEBOOK SURVEY ALLOWS MEMBERS TO SOUND OFF
We asked, you answered! IAFP asked three simple questions to find out if our members use Facebook, and if they thought IAFP should use it, too!

SURVEY RESULTS SO FAR
As of noon on Friday, March 06, 2009 279 members have responded. Overall 40 of IAFP members who responded are on Facebook, but 68% of all respondents say that IAFP NOT use Facebook as an outreach tool. 

Here are some crosstab breakdowns by member type:
Active members – 220 respondents, 25.5% use Facebook, 70% feel IAFP should not be on Facebook.
Residents – 23 respondents, 67% use Facebook and 67% feel IAFP should not be on Facebook.
Students – 29 respondents, 93% use Facebook, 57% feel IAFP should not be on Facebook. 

Of all IAFP Facebook users, 54% feel that IAFP should be on Facebook and 46% feel that we should not. 

Our online and communications world is definitely changing. IAFP certainly wants to do what’s best for our membership and not take on a new project just because it’s a trend or “hot” according to industry experts. We appreciate you taking the time to tell us what you think! 

If you haven’t weighed in on the survey and would like to, just go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MggkObF5bB82Um8P8GKB3Q_3d_3d  and answer the three questions in just seconds!

**ONE MORE NCSC REPRESENTATIVE STILL NEEDED FOR ILLINOIS
Are you interested in attending the National Conference of Special Constituencies? IAFP has an opening for one final special constituency slot. Funding is available, but you must be an active member in good standing to be considered for the conference. IAFP is still seeking an International Medical Graduate (graduate of medical schools outside US, Canada & Puerto Rico)

The conference is April 23-25, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. For more information go to http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/leader/ncsc.html  
If you are interested in attending and qualify for the IMG slot, contact Jennifer O’Leary at joleary@iafp.com  or 630-427-8001.

The National Conference of Special Constituencies is the AAFP's annual policy development meeting that addresses member issues specific to women; minorities; new physicians; international medical graduates; and members interested in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. 

**NEW IAFP MEMBER GROUP – SOLO FAMILY PHYSICIANS
The new IAFP member group for solo family docs has a discussion group with 12 members and counting! If you’d like to join the member group and get on the e-mail list serve, please e-mail IAFP deputy executive vice president Jennifer O’Leary at joleary@iafp.com . To see a listing of all IAFP member groups visit http://www.iafp.com/about/committees.htm  

**NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY PHYSICIANS
It’s never too early to start thinking about the next IAFP Family Physician of the Year or the Teachers of the Year. Nomination forms are now available on the IAFP web site 

Family Physician of the Year http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/FPOY09.pdf 
Teachers of the Year http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/TOY09.pdf  
Nominations are due to IAFP by May 31, 2009.

**IAFP’S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP IS AVAILABLE ONLINE
In 2009, IAFP has slightly restructured our major communications to the membership. Rather than a regularly scheduled issue of Family Physician, IAFP released our Annual Report to the Membership on February 18. The 20-page report includes a President’s Message from Javette C. Orgain, MD and updates on all the IAFP programs and services. 
Link to the full report on our web site at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/annualreport.pdf  


State Government Relations 

**UPDATES ON BILLS SUPPORTED BY IAFP

1. HB 71 is on third reading and could be voted on by the House at anytime next week. The bill, sponsored by Rep. John D’Amico and championed by Secretary of State Jesse White, would prohibit text messaging while driving. 
LINK to the bill at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=71&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=40059&SessionID=76  and link to the IAFP statement at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/texting.pdf  

2. SB 1351 (Sen. Donne Trotter) passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee. The law would require operators and passengers to wear a helmet on motorcycles and other similar motorized vehicles. Link to the bill and status at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1351&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=42543&SessionID=76  

3. SB212 (Sen. David Koehler) passed Senate Public Health Committee. This bill Amends the Illinois Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act and provides that the Department of Public Health shall provide information and technical assistance as appropriate to health care professionals who provide expedited partner therapy services for persons with sexually transmissible diseases. Provides that a health care professional who makes a clinical diagnosis of chlamydia or gonorrhea may prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide prescription antibiotic drugs to the infected person's sexual partner or partners without physical examination of the partner or partners, if in the judgment of the health care professional, the partner is unlikely or unable to present for comprehensive health care. Link to the bill and status at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=212&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=40706&SessionID=76  


**SPRING INTO ACTION! PICK A DATE and SAVE THE DATE
March 17, 18* or 31
April 1 or 2
*March 18th is the new scheduled date for Gov. Quinn’s budget address.

IAFP offers five different dates to participate in the legislative process in March or April. These “mini” lobby days are designed to give you more opportunities to advocate on issues that impact family medicine. You will meet face to face with those policy makers and legislators involved in creating and implementing health care policy in Illinois that affects you and your patients.

ANY date you pick will enable you to:
-Advocate on behalf of family medicine and its strengths
-Increase your visibility with legislators and policymakers 
-Exchange information about public policy and its effects on your practice and patients

Register online at https://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Register/IdentityConfirmation.aspx?e=91c6601e-78de-4fef-adf2-0fd46ed237d5  

*STATE LAUNCHES WEB SITE FOR RECOVERY FUNDS
If you’re interested in how Illinois will spend the federal funds from the American Recovery and reinvestment act, the State has a web site with answers and even a place where you can suggest projects for the influx of federal stimulus funds. 
Go to http://www.recovery.illinois.gov/  and find out how federal funds are dedicated to meeting needs in our state. 

Federal Government Relations

** ELECTION RESULTS FOR 5TH DISTRICT
Cook County Board member Mike Quigley beat out a crowded field to win the Democratic Party’s nomination for the 5th Congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel. Rosanna Pulido won the Republican Party nomination and Matthew Reichel will represent the Green party in the April 7th general election. 

** AAFP LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE PCMH RESOURCE CENTER
PCMH might be the most-used acronym in family medicine right now. Opinions, concerns and praise for the Patient-Centered Medical Home can be found in all areas of the health care debate. AAFP has distilled the various issues into one place, the Patient Centered Medical Home Special Report, which examines the concept and the implementation of PCMH from many angles at many levels. Take a look! 
LINK TO http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/pcmh.html  
**FAM MED PAC REMINDER
By law, AAFP dues cannot be used for any candidate or election purposes. The only way for AAFP to contribute to elected officials is though the PAC. If every member contributed to FamMedPAC, we’d have one of the strongest PACs in the nation. Any member of IAFP is allowed to contribute, that includes residents, students and chapter staff!

Learn how you can donate at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac.html  


CME Information

**AMERICAN UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OFFERS FREE CME COURSE FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
Join the American Urological Association (AUA) for a complimentary CME program, Primary Care Update in Urology, on Saturday, April 25 at the Hyatt McCormick Place, Chicago. This unique, one-day course assembles a stellar group of urologists and primary care physicians to provide you with up-to-date information and research on:

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
• Overactive Bladder (OAB)
• Prostate Cancer

For more than 100 years, the AUA has dedicated itself to promoting the highest standards of urological clinical care through physician education, research and health policy. We recognize that primary care physicians are often the first stop in diagnosing patients with symptoms of urologic conditions and diseases. This Primary Care Update in Urology program will enhance your knowledge and provide you with valuable practice tools that will improve patient outcomes. 

For more information or to register, visit http://www.AUAnet.org/PrimaryCareIAFP 

**2009 EDOPC Education Teleconference Schedule
Join colleagues and the Enhancing Developmentally Oriented Primary Care (EDOPC) staff for education teleconferences. You can earn CME credit and learn how to identify the purpose of early intervention, conduct various screenings using appropriate and effective tools, develop strategies for making referrals for children and their families when you have concern, employ parent/caregiver education materials, and implement efficient office procedures for screening and referrals. 

EDOPC Education Teleconference Schedule 
• March 17, 2009 - Developmental Screening and Referral 
• June 18, 2009 - Perinatal Depression Screening and Referral 
• September 15, 2009 - Early Autism Screening and Referral
• November 17, 2009 - Topic To Be Determined
All teleconferences are conducted from 8 a.m.-9a.m. For answers to questions and additional information about these opportunities or to register for an education teleconference, please contact Paula Zajac, Project Coordinator at 312/733-1026 ext 212 or pzajac@illinoisaap.com. 

**IAFP ONLINE FREE CME
With the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) CME Website, http://www.IAFP.com\education  (registration required), you will be able to track which CME courses you have completed and obtain your CME certificates - simply with the click of a button at the end of each completed online course.

Check out any of the IAFP FREE online CME programs below and you could earn up to nine credits by completing all of the case studies. 

*NEW THIS WEEK- HYPERTENSION IN PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE: A CASE STUDY WITH CODING

Course Description: The subject of this case study is Gene Lang, a 52-year-old African American male, who is a new and “accidental” patient of this practice. Gene acknowledges his current lifestyle is difficult. He is sedentary, overeats a diet high in salt and fat. Patient acknowledges current lifestyle is stressful and his diet and exercise habits are poor.

Credit Designation: AMA PRA Category 1 The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians/Family Practice Education Network designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit ™. Physicians should claim commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Credit Expiration: March 1, 2010

Support: Merck & Co., Inc.

*IAFP is offering free online CME case studies at http://www.iafp.com/CME/  
There are two to three case studies for each topic. Each study takes about 45-60 minutes to complete. 
Depression in Primary Care Practice: 
Hypertension in Primary Care Practice: 
Diabetes in Primary Care Practice: 
Managing Coronary Heart Disease in Primary Care Practice and MORE!

This CME is FREE for all registrants. To participate or for more information, visit http://www.yhplus.com. 

**YOUR HEALTHCARE PLUS FREE CME 
Visit http://www.yhplus.com 

Earning CME credit could not be any easier - thanks to Your Healthcare Plus (YHP), Illinois’ disease management program. Just log on to http://www.YHPlus.com.  Each topic contains valuable resources, including disease management tips, clinical education, QI worksheets and reference materials, as well as audio files for people on the go.

Access FREE CME and earn credit with easy-to-use education activities on:
• Quality Improvement
• Depression
• Pediatric Asthma
• COPD
• Substance Abuse
• Heart Failure
• Diabetes 

NEW - Coronary Artery Disease
Accreditation: The course is accredited for one 1) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, up to one (1) AAFP Prescribed credit and up to one (1) nursing contact hour.
This course is available in two convenient formats:
AUDIO WITH SLIDES, ONLINE
AUDIO-ONLY, DOWNLOADABLE FOR MP3 OR CD

This CME is FREE for all registrants. To participate or for more information, visit http://www.yhplus.com/Content.asp?CID=188  

All CME modules on this website, except QI, have been approved for AMA Cat 1 credit, AAFP prescribed credit, nursing contact hours, and asthma and depression have been approved for ABFM MC-FP Part IV credit.

**PRI-MED CME INFORMATION 
http://www.pri-med.com  

* Pri-Med Updates
A complimentary two-day CME program designed to give primary care practitioners a national-caliber conference at a local level; one that lets you expand your education throughout the year and learn about essential therapies as they emerge. Pri-Med Updates narrows the gap between research world and the real world, ensuring the rapid delivery of the latest information and treatment options to patients.

St. Louis – Thursday & Friday, May 28-29, 2009
http://www.pri-med.com/30STL09A/r12 

* New in 2009—Pri-Med Access
A local, two-day, CME program that keeps you current on the latest in primary care. The CME curriculum offers breath and depth in four essential primary care areas: cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity, immunizations, and dependency disorders. Learn assessment techniques, preventative strategies, and new treatments and therapies.

Chicago, IL – Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9-10, 2009
http://www.pri-med.com/26CHI09A 
(Please note: This program is designed for actively practicing Primary Care Physicians.) 

* Pri-Med Online 
Pri-Med.com offers over 300 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in key Condition Resource Centers including: Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Obesity, Sleep Disorders and more. Plus, four eCME activity types are offered so you can thoroughly examine a topic, including: Patient case studies, Clinical reviews, Expert perspectives and Webcasts. Earn high-quality physician-authored eCME anytime at http://www.pri-med.com/onlineCME.  


Family Health Foundation of Illinois

**TAR WARS UPDATE
The state poster contest deadline is April 6, 2009. Remember, only one poster per school is eligible for the state contest. Make sure the student complete and includes BOTH poster contest entry forms in the Tar Wars program guide. You can also link to the rules and forms online at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/PosterContestRulesForms.pdf  

Posters should be mailed to 
Tar Wars
c/o IAFP
4756 Main St.
Lisle, IL 60532 

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW - TAR WARS NIGHT WITH THE WHITE SOX
IAFP members, friends and patients – set aside Wednesday, July 8, 2009 for the Chicago White Sox vs. the Cleveland Indians. Game time is 7:11pm. Every ticket you purchase from IAFP for that game will mean a tax-deductible donation to the Family Health Foundation of Illinois’ Tar Wars program. 

Tickets are only $33 each ($2 less than last year!) and our LOWER BOX seats are in sections 115 and 116, right up the first base line. The best seats will go to the early birds who get their orders in first. An order form will be available online soon! Questions? Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  
 

**RAISE MONEY FOR THE FOUNDATION WHILE SHOPPING ONLINE—FREE AND EASY!
You can make money for the Family Health Foundation of Illinois and enjoy the convenience of online shopping at the same time. All you need to do is sign up at http://www.iGive.com/IAFPF  and then shop from the participating stores that you already know and love. Go to www.iGive.com/IAFPF  and receive a free membership (no costs or obligations) to shop at hundreds online stores. Then start shopping - you’ll be helping the IAFP Foundation at the same time! Just by doing a little shopping online from participating stores, a percentage of every purchase will be donated directly to the Foundation! Prices are not changed; simply a small portion of your purchase price is given to the Foundation. Your e-mail address is not sold or traded. 

Resident and Student Information

**STUDENTS – REGISTER NOW - PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY EVENT
Saturday, April 25th from 9am to 1:30pm
IAFP presents its annual event dedicated to the Match process!
Join us at Loyola University – Stritch School of Medicine for this half-day event to get you ready for the Match and for residency. Prepare yourself for the challenge of finding and landing your perfect residency slot with exciting workshops from area residency faculty. You’ll also have unparalleled face time with residency programs from throughout the state. 
Look for more information and registration information on our web site at http://www.iafp.com/Students/index.htm  

**WEBINAR FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAMS – APRIL 8, 2009
Residency programs traditionally care for a high volume of underserved patients. Some recent changes at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) programs, including the implementation of Illinois Health Connect and Your Healthcare Plus, have a significant impact on residency programs. Medical directors Margaret Kirkegaard, MD (Illinois Health Connect) and Fredric Leary, MD (Your Healthcare Plus) are hosting a webinar on April 8 directed specifically to residency programs. The program is designed to give everyone a better understanding about these State programs and the tools embedded in the programs. The webinar is targeted to residents, faculty, clinical and administrative staff, so get the information and get it on your schedule. 

Link to more information at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/WebinarResidency.pdf  

** STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS WELCOME AT VIOLENCE PREVENTION CONFERENCE AT UIC

Illinois Center for Violence Prevention's 13th annual conference
Beyond Visible Injuries: The Link Between Health and Violence
April 2, 2009
UIC Student Center East

REGISTER by March 15
-Student registration $75
-$100 for ICVP members
-$125 for non-members

The goals of the Annual Conference are to: 
Raise awareness of the impact of violence and trauma and the many roles that healthcare practitioners play in order to break the cycle of violence 
Provide information and resources on appropriate protocols or clinical pathways for preventing, identifying and responding to interpersonal violence 
Build participant’s skills in utilizing the available screening tools that assist in identifying victims 
Identify statewide training programs that are available. 
Link to the conference web site at: http://www.icvp.org/conference2009.asp  

**NATIONAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS 
AAFP is now accepting applications for scholarships to their National Conference of Students and Residents July 30-August 2. May 1st is the deadline to apply!

Link to more information at: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/nc/scholarships.html  

**SPEAKING OF MAY 1ST DEADLINES
Now is the time to think about applying for a resident or student leadership post at IAFP. Information and applications are available online at:

Student leader application form http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/StudentLeaderAppFORM.pdf  
Resident leader application form http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/residentofficerapp.pdf  

**NOT READY TO LEAD? THEN JOIN AN IAFP COMMITTEE AND LEARN!
Don’t forget that student and resident members are welcome and encouraged to participate on IAFP committees! You can view a list of committees and their charges at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/Committee09.pdf  which includes the form to fill out and request the committee(s) you’d like to join. 

The committees/task forces available to students and residents include:
Government Relations
Public Health
Public Relations 
Rural Health
Urban Health


NEWS YOU CAN USE

**NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK IS APRIL 25-MAY 2
Try to make one of the Grand Rounds scheduled at Chicago-area hospitals during National Infant Immunization Week. See the full schedule and find details on our web site at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/NIIW%202009COE.pdf  
For more information, contact Jeanine Solinski, IL Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics at 312/733-1026, ext 206 or jsolinski@illinoisaap.com.  

Sponsored by IAFP, AMA, ICAAP, IDPH and the Chicago and DuPage County Departments of Public Health

** NEW CANCER PREVENTION REPORT RELEASED ON CAPITOL HILL
On February 26, the American Institute for Cancer Research presented the findings of the most comprehensive report on cancer prevention policy ever undertaken at a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill.

Some amazing numbers are contained in the report:
We can prevent over 45% of colon cancer cases and 38% of breast cancer cases in the U.S. by making changes in diet, physical activity and weight control. And these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Overall, a third of the most common cancers can be prevented. The new WCRF/AICR Report is called Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention - Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. The report reveals what kinds and how many cancer cases can be prevented, and it details 48 specific policy recommendations that would significantly reduce the burden of cancer now affecting more than 1.4 million Americans every year.

Link to the comprehensive report and other tools at http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=res_policy_report  

**ONLINE RESOURECE FOR COMPARING CARE COSTS IN CHICAGO
With a hat tip to Judy Graham of the Chicago Tribune

With so many people uninsured or saddled with high deductible health plans, patients are always looking for ways to reduce out-of-pocket health care costs. Local internist Dr. Leslie Ramirez launched www.leslieslist.org , a new Web site devoted to helping Chicago area residents who are uninsured or underinsured and pay substantial amounts out of pocket for medical care.

The scoop on screening mammograms, according to the site: Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center charges $68 for the test, compared with a $400 charge from Northwestern Memorial Hospital. You can also find links to community clinics and compare prescription drug costs. Dr. Ramirez devotes about 20 hours a week to maintaining the site. 

**SAVE ON 2009 FLU ORDERS WITH ATLANTIC
Believe it or not, the 2009 Flu pre-booking season has already begun. Your Academy understands how important and challenging this process can be for your practice. Our partner, Atlantic Health Partners, offers an excellent vaccine program that will help you access lower pricing for your 2009 Flu orders with Sanofi Pasteur and MedImmune. Best of all, the Atlantic program is available to your practice at no cost. 

As a member of Atlantic, you receive the following enhanced Flu benefits:
-Preferred pricing for Sanofi’s Fluzone and MedImmune’s Flumist
-Enhanced shipping and product return arrangements 
-Extended payment terms

If you join Atlantic, any Flu orders that you have already placed with Sanofi Pasteur or MedImmune will qualify for the Atlantic savings program. As a reminder, by joining Atlantic you will also access better pricing and purchasing terms for your vaccine orders with Merck and Sanofi, including orders for Menactra, Adacel, and Gardasil. 

Please contact Ed Ross at Atlantic, who can be reached by phone at (866) 393-4190 and by e-mail at info@atlantichealthpartners.com. 


MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
E-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  to share your media clips or to request a copy of any items listed below. 

*Catherine Counard, MD of Evanston is featured in the Feb. 12th Skokie Review as the new health director for the city of Skokie. Counard is an active member of the IAFP Public Health Committee and received a 2006 IAFP President’s award for her work on Smoke-free Evanston. 

*Jerry Kruse, MD and Janet Albers, MD both from SIU School of Medicine were featured in a Feb. 24th Springfield State Journal Register story about a public forum held the night before by the Citizens Club. Both Kruse and Albers emphasized the role the medical home will play in meaningful and effective health care reform. That same story was shared appeared in 18 other Illinois Newspapers that week, from Rockford to West Frankfort!

*Dr. Albers is also featured in a March 1 State Journal Register Story about an “access to care” program for the uninsured of Sangamon County being organized by the Sangamon County Medical Society. 

*Martin Lipsky, MD, Dean of the Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford and IAFP member Chantal Girod, MD are featured in the March 1 Rockford Register Star story about the shortage of primary care physicians and UI-Rockford’s significant contributions toward improving the PCP supply. The same story also ran in newspapers in Aledo and Kewanee. 

*Gerald Suchomski, MD is featured in the March 2 State Journal Register and the Rockford Register Star in an article comparing the fact and fiction of some popular “home remedies.”

*IAFP Past President Robert Heerens, MD is featured in a March 3 Rock River Times story about the Center for Learning in Retirement’s 15th anniversary. Dr. Heerens is a founding member of the Center. 

CLASSIFIED ADS
IAFP members may post a classified ad in E-news free of charge for up to 4 issues. Classified ad rates for non-IAFP members are $100 per month (2 issues per month). Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  to place your ad or you can download and print a form at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/EnewsAd.pdf