E-news for November 2, 2007
1. IAFP News
3. GR
5. Education and PriMed
6. Members in the News
7. Residents and Students
8. News you Can Use
9. Reminders
10. Classifieds

IAFP News

GET INVOLVED, GET RESULTS!
Consider joining (or re-joining) an IAFP committee, task force or interest group for 2007-08. Your term of service would be from December 1, 2007 through the IAFP’s annual meeting in St. Louis, December 6, 2008. Most groups are open to active, resident, student and life members.

The time commitment for volunteering is reasonable and productive. Meetings are via teleconference and even by WebEx, a combination of Internet and teleconference. Most volunteer work takes place via e-mail discussion and review.

-Committees meet about once every two months for one to two hours in a teleconference call to take care of ongoing business in CME, government relations, public health and quality and safety in practice.

-Task Forces meet around the time of their peak activity, and take care of business via e-mail the rest of the year.

-Interest groups conduct discussions only via e-mail and are mostly responsive to issues in their area of interest. Interest groups can take on more activity if the members so desire.

Here is the link to the committee sign-up form, www.iafp.com/about/committees.htm  

In order for IAFP to represent family physicians in government relations, in the media, in our talks with health plans and others, we need you. Family Medicine cannot represent you if you do not step up and participate. Sign up today!


*IAFP DELIVERS FINAL PRESIDENT’S AWARD
IAFP President’s Award honoree Rep. Karen Yarbrough was not able to join us at the IAFP 60th Anniversary celebration, as the Illinois House was still in session that night. So IAFP brought the award to her. Constituent and IAFP member Scott Levin, MD of West Suburban family medicine residency program in Oak Park delivered the IAFP President’s Award to Rep. Yarbrough this past Tuesday afternoon at her Broadview district office. Then-IAFP president Katie Miller, MD chose to honor the sponsors of the Smoke-free Illinois bill, which passed the General Assembly earlier this year and takes effect on January 1, 2008.

Rep. Karen Yarbrough sponsored SB 500 bill in the House of Representatives and carried it with the same vigor and passion that she used to remove the pre-emption clause in the old clean indoor air act during the 2005 session. Her leadership and continued passion for this issue brought SB 500 through the House and onto the governor’s desk. 

View the photo at http://www.karenyarbrough.com/  or on the IAFP web site at http://www.iafp.com/PR/2007Awardphotos.htm  

Read about all the 2007 Award honorees at http://www.iafp.com/PR/2007AwardWinners.htm  


*PHOTOS FROM THE IAFP 60TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY ARE AVAILABLE
Check out the photos of our award recipients on the IAFP Web site at: http://www.iafp.com/PR/2007Awardphotos.htm  

If your photo was taken by the professional photographer at the banquet and you’d like a JPEG file e-mailed to you, please contact Ginnie Flynn via e-mail at gflynn@iafp.com  

*FAMILY PHYSICIAN IS ON THE WAY- The October/November issue of IAFP’s Family Physician is almost ready. IAFP wants members to have all the relevant information from our annual meetings and board meeting held the first week of October. Keep on eye on your e-mail inbox for the link to Family Physician. 

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

**FEDERAL UPDATE 

JOIN THE AAFP FEDERAL GRASSROOTS GARDEN
(Information courtesy of AAFP News Now)

The AAFP has expanded its federal advocacy efforts in recent weeks by launching a new and creating two new initiatives -- the AAFP Advocacy Activity Team and a grassroots toolkit -- to help promote legislation that will benefit family physicians.
View the new web page at: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/grassroots.html  
The Web page is a "one-stop shop" for Academy members who want to have an impact on Congress. Via the page, AAFP members can sign up to participate in the AAFP's new Advocacy Activity Team, an initiative for members who want to work with House and Senate members on family medicine issues, but who don't have the time to be as involved as an AAFP Key Contact.

Members also can access the Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit, (9-page PDF) a resource that provides background and perspectives on key issues for family physicians. The toolkit explains how members can communicate more effectively with their lawmakers and highlights AAFP meetings that include a focus on advocacy. 
Download the toolkit at http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/policy/grassroots/toolkit.Par.0001.File.tmp/AAFPGrassrootsAdvocacyToolkit.pdf  

The Web page also provides links to other long-standing programs, such as Speak Out, which allows members to e-mail their federal lawmakers with a few keystrokes.

CME Information:

**IAFP OFFERS FREE WEBINAR NOV. 14 ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is presenting a Free CME webinar on Domestic Violence: Effects on Children Detection, Screening and Referral in Primary Care 
November 14, 2007 at 12 noon and 7 pm CST 

Tune into this live 60-minute webinar from the convenience of your home or office to: 
* Define domestic violence 
* Identify the cycle of violence 
* Understand how domestic violence effects children and families 
* Identify resources available to help parents 
Speaker: Patti Buck, MD 

The EDOPC project is a collaborative partnership between the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Advocate Health System’s Healthy Steps for Young Children Program, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund 

There is no cost to participate in this webinar! All you need is a computer, internet connection and a phone. This program is supported by educational grants from Aetna Foundation, the Michael Reese Health Trust, the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, W. Clement and Jesse V. Stone Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Harris Foundation 

REGISTRATION: Send your name and contact information, including email address to kvalentine@iafp.com  or call Kate at 630-435-0257 x110.
You will receive a confirmation notice via email with instructions on how to register with WebEx and tune into the webinar online. A few minutes before the program, you will download WebEx software to view the program. 

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending 

** CME CONNECTION
IAFP issues an electronic newsletter called “CME Connection” each month dedicated entirely to IAFP CME opportunities and products as well as CME offerings from partner organizations and more. The publication connects IAFP members with CME options that meet their needs. Those interested in listing their CME product or event should contact Kate Valentine at kvalentine@iafp.com.  

**FIND IAFP EVENTS AND OTHER CME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS ANY TIME AT http://www.iafp.com/education/  

**PRI-MED CME INFORMATION
Partnering with the IAFP, Pri-Med Updates offers world-class CME programs in your area. Taught by leading experts, you can earn Continuing Medical Education credits at no cost. All activities listed are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Application for AAFP Prescribed credit has been submitted. 

*Pri-Med Updates
Two-day continuing medical education programs designed for Primary Care Physicians currently engaged in patient care. This program features new and emerging guidelines, therapies, and evidence- based information on multiple therapeutic areas encountered in primary care. 

One more event in 2007 
St. Louis, MO-Thursday and Friday, December 6-7, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/30/events/30STL07B/Conference 

New Updates scheduled for 2008!!
Oakbrook, IL – Wednesday & Thursday, April 2-3, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/ViewEvent.aspx?EventCode=30OAK08A&CCODE=r12 

Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, June 10-11, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/ViewEvent.aspx?EventCode=30chi08a&CCODE=r12 

*Pri-Med Online 
Pri-Med.com offers over 200 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in 15 key Condition Resource Centers including: ADHD, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Cancer in Primary Care, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Infectious Disease, 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 Multi-media slide lecture series. Earn high-quality physician-authored eCME anytime at www.pri-med.com/onlineCME  .

__________________

Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below or you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.  

*Ben Brewer, MD tackles the tough issue for parents – giving cold medications to children under age 6 - in his October 23 “From the Doctor’s Office” for the Wall Street Journal. This time it was his own 3-year old son whose cough racked his little body and kept his parents awake all night. 

*Michael Adams, MD of Marion is quoted throughout in a wide ranging article in the Southern Illinoisan focusing on the many changes a woman’s body undergoes as she ages. The story appeared in the October 24th issue. Meanwhile Kristin Jacobs, MD of Mt. Vernon is quoted in both installments of a two-part Southern Illinoisan feature on anti-aging medicines and treatments. Those articles ran October 24-25.

*Eric Henley, MD chair of the IAFP Public Health committee, was interviewed October 23 on WNTA radio in Rockford regarding MRSA diagnosis and treatment. 
*CORRECTION: The Oct. 19 E-news referred to MRSA as a “virus” when it is in fact a strain of bacteria. The topic continues to make the news and IAFP regrets the error in terminology.
*Link to information from IDPH about MRSA on the IDPH web site at http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/MRSA_Provider.htm  

*Matthew Brown, MD is the new Vice President of Clinical Resource Management and Graduate Medical Education at Provena Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Elgin. He was formerly the program director for Advocate Christ Hospital Family Medicine Residency program. 

*Mark Grant, MD, MPH is co-author of Treatment of Primary and Secondary Osteoarthritis of the Knee an evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/oakneetp.htm ) . He also served as a member on the recent Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) panel entitled "CMS Evidentiary Priorities for Medicare."

*Elizabeth Feldman, MD of Advocate UIC/Masonic Family Medicine Residency program has been named to the AAFP American Family Physician Advisory Board representing the Society of Adolescent Medicine.
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RESIDENT AND STUDENT NEWS:

*RESIDENT ROUNDUP RECAP
IAFP Foundation and Healthcare Associates Credit Union teamed up for the third and final Resident Roundup of 2008 at O’Brien’s restaurant in Chicago. Residents from around the Chicago area benefited from a presentation on employment contracts and the opportunity to ask their questions and share stories with their fellow family medicine residents. If you couldn’t join us but are interested in the information presented, please contact Ginnie Flynn at IAFP gflynn@iafp.com  and she can put you in touch with Healthcare Associates Credit Union to arrange for a presentation at your residency. 
You can also link to more information about Healthcare Associates Credit Union at http://www.hacu.org/about.html.  

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

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

**STUDENTS: HAVE YOU JOINED YOUR FMIG?
We’re into November and the family medicine interest groups (FMIG) at the various medical schools are up and running. Join the group, learn more about family medicine, teach a Tar Wars program, and spend time with family medicine residents and more. You can find a complete list of the FMIG leaders at each campus on our web site at: http://www.iafp.com/students/fmigcontacts.htm  

WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED FROM THE ACADEMY?
Do you have any ideas for the IAFP Board or the IAFP Foundation? Both the IAFP and Foundation Board of Directors have student representation. The IAFP Board will be meeting on November 13 and Jeffrey Griesemer from Loyola is your voice on the IAFP Board. If you have any ideas or concerns to share with him, you can contact Jeff at jgriesemer@lumc.edu . The IAFP Foundation (now the Family Health Foundation of Illinois) funds student programming, such as the Summer Externship program, the Fall Forum, Preparing for Residency, and Adopt an FMIG. Anthony Mrgudich from Loyola is your Student representative on the Foundation’s board of directors. Contact Anthony with your input at amrgudich@lumc.edu  

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

*ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT WEBINAR SLIDES AVAILABLE
If you missed the October 24th Webinar with updates from the Illinois Health Connect program, you can view the Power Point presentation online at:
http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/files/ProviderEducation/2007_10_24_HFS%20Billing%20Overview.ppt 

Information includes billing procedures with regard to consultations, procedures Illinois Healthy Women program, family planning, vaccines, and more. 

*WARN PATIENTS ABOUT MASSIVE FROZEN PIZZA RECALL
By AAFP News Now Staff 

November brings bad news for pizza fans, with General Mills, the maker of Totino's and Jeno's brand frozen pizzas, announcing a voluntary recall of millions of its pepperoni-containing products in the wake of a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections. 

Public health officials have joined the company's officials in calling for consumers to throw away any of the following affected pizzas they may have purchased:

Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Pepperoni, 10.2 oz.; 
Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Classic Pepperoni, 10.2 oz.; 
Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Pepperoni Trio, 10.2 oz.; 
Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Three Meat Sausage, Canadian Style Bacon & Pepperoni, 10.5 oz.; 
Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Combination Sausage & Pepperoni, 10.7 oz.; 
Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Supreme Sausage & Pepperoni with Green Peppers & Onions, 10.9 oz.; 
Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Pepperoni, 6.8 oz.; 
Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Combination Sausage and Pepperoni, 7.0 oz.; and 
Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza, Supreme Sausage and Pepperoni With Green Peppers and Onion, 7.2 oz. 

According to a Nov. 2 General Mills news release, the company has recalled all frozen pepperoni pizzas produced at its Wellston, Ohio, plant. More than 120 million such pizzas have been distributed since the beginning of July.

Public health investigators in Tennessee and elsewhere have linked a growing number of people infected with E. coli O157:H7 to pizzas produced at the Ohio plant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies are working with General Mills to identify the source of the problem. More details about the recall are available from a Nov. 1 USDA press release at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_049_2007_Release/index.asp  

To date, at least 21 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli infection have been identified in 10 states: Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. No deaths have been reported, but least 10 people have been hospitalized.

Additional questions about the recall should be directed to General Mills at (800) 949-9055.

*SHARE MEDICAL RECORDS ELECTRONICALLY WITH SSA 

Technology is helping Social Security transform the disability decision-making process which will mean better service for applicants across the county. Hospitals can help ensure more accurate and timely decisions for patients by sharing medical records electronically with Social Security and its partner agencies.
To help provide more timely service to your patients seeking disability benefits and ultimately Medicaid or Medicare benefits, Social Security asks that medical providers use one of the available electronic processes when the Illinois Disability Determination Services requests medical records for your patients. In addition to helping your patients, this option can benefit the hospital as well. It can reduce cost for photocopying, paper, toner, postage and staff time required for paper submissions. All electronic methods are secure and encrypted to ensure HIPAA compliance.
If you are not already doing so, Social Security urges providers to submit medical records electronically. Here's how:
o Use your Internet connection and SSA's secure website to send individual patient records quickly and easily; 
o Use a scanner and your Internet connection to send batched patient files to SSA's website; 
o Use your office fax or copy machine to send medical records toll-free day or night.
For more information contact Roseann Haven at 217-785-7498 or e-mail at Roseann.Haven@ssa.gov.  

REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING

**NATIONAL CAMPAIGN SHOWCASES “FACES OF INFLUENZA
This American Lung Association educational initiative, Faces of Influenza, will be launched this fall to encourage influenza vaccination among high-risk groups such as the elderly and children, their contacts, the general public, and health care providers. The Faces of Influenza campaign will be also available online, where it will feature a number of interactive components. Flu vaccine season is just around the corner! 

IS YOUR PRACTICE PLANNING A FLU CLINIC THIS FALL? 
Add it to the “Flu Clinic Locator” at the Faces of Influenza Campaign Web site! 
Learn how you can upload information about your upcoming flu clinics at http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=aqKGLXOAIlH&b=3090427  
You will need to complete and submit an agreement to participate. 

Link to Faces of Influenza resources for providers at
http://www.facesofinfluenza.org/health_care_provider.php 

Link to the AAFP Immunization Resource Center: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/immunizationres.html  

**FROM THE ABFM – MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION
In the ongoing effort to aid family physicians who are currently participating in the Maintenance of Certification process (MC-FP), ABFM urges all family physicians who certified or recertified in 2004 to complete their Stage 1 requirements by the end of the year, thus retaining eligibility for a 3-year extension of their certificate. 
Remember - the end of the 2007 calendar year represents the MC-FP deadline of Stage 1 for family physicians that last certified or recertified in 2004. Successful completion of each 3-year Stage is necessary to remain eligible for a 3-year extension to their certificate, which is awarded upon completion of Stage 2. Family physicians who do not complete Stage 1 requirements by the deadline will, by default, continue on the 7-year certification path until their next scheduled recertification examination.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact the ABFM Support Center at 877-223-7437

**CHECK YOUR ONLINE PHYSICIAN PROFILE!
As required by law, all Illinois licensed physicians must review, update and verify their online profiles by November 15, 2007. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has created the Profile internet web site as required by amendments to the Illinois Medical Practice Act (225 ILCS 60/24.1) to provide the public with access to information profiles on all physicians and chiropractors licensed in the State of Illinois.

Physicians can access the system at http://www.idfpr.com/applications/ProfessionProfile/ProfileUpdateMain.aspx  and then view their profile by entering their social security number or PIN number (mailed to physicians), and their Illinois license number. There will be no paper submission of information. To receive an e-mail confirming that their profiles are “complete,” physicians should include an e-mail address with their contact info.

For Additional Information...
Call 217-524-4972 or e-mail FPR.Profile@Illinois.gov 


**BRIDGING CARE PLANNER – FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AT YOUR PRACTICE

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). 

Link to more information at http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/BCP.htm  


CLASSIFIED ADS:
To place a classified ad, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.