Family Physician Newsletter

E-news for October 7, 2007
1. IAFP News
2. AAFP Congress
3. GR
4. Foundation
5. Education PriMed
6. Members in the News
7. Students/Residents
8. News you Can Use
9. Reminders
10. Classifieds

IAFP News
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians both held annual meeting in Chicago this week. It was a whirlwind of activity, progress and fun. Here is a recap with just some of the highlights:

**OCT. 3: IAFP ALL-MEMBER ASSEMBLY/TOWN HALL MEETING

More than IAFP members packed the room in the largest All-Member Assembly since IAFP adopted the all-member meeting structure. Before more than 60 members, including 13 past presidents, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians elected new officers and the board of directors’ class of 2010.

Congratulations to the new IAFP officers and Board of Directors, who were installed by past-president Carolyn Lopez, MD.

President: Steven D. Knight, MD of Harrisburg (inaugurated on July 25)
President-Elect: Javette Orgain, MD of Chicago
Board Chair: Kathleen J. Miller, MD of Decatur
First Vice President: Patrick Tranmer, MD of Oak Park
Second Vice President: David Hagan, MD of Gibson City
Treasurer: Michael P. Temporal, MD of Belleville

Class of 2010 board members
Tina Brueschke, MD of Elburn
Dennon Davis, MD of West Frankfort
Kathryn Stewart, MD of Oak Park

New Physician: Kristin Drynan, M.D. of North Aurora
Resident: Ravi Shah, M.D. of Advocate Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Residency Program
Student: Jeffrey Griesemer, Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine

Delegate to AAFP: Tim Vega, MD of Peoria
Alternate Delegate to AAFP: Michael P. Temporal, MD of Belleville

Learn more about the new Board members at: http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/newboard.htm

LATE RESOLUTION SPARKS LIVELY DEBATE
A healthy discussion of Academy revenue sources was just one of several issues covered at the IAFP All Member Assembly.

Arvind K. Goyal, M.D. from Rolling Meadows submitted a late resolution calling for IAFP and AAFP to gradually free itself from any financial support from drug companies and insurance companies. IAFP’s All Member Assembly voted to refer the resolution to the board of directors. The IAFP president will appoint a task force to make a recommendation at their Nov. 13, 2007 meeting.

Read more about the issue and the discussion at http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/ama.htm

Members may also be interested in Board Report K from AAFP (members-only link at http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/about/congress/2007/bd-rpts/boardreportk.Par.0001.File.mem.tmp/Pages305-314BoardReportK-OrgRestruc.pdf) which detailed the sources and uses of all AAFP revenue. The report examines the effect on member dues and services should AAFP sever all funding ties with the pharmaceutical industry.

**OCT. 4: IAFP 60TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

This private party at one of Chicago’s finest art venues included the awards presentations to the Illinois Family Physician of the Year, the Teachers of the Year and more. Nearly 300 turned out to celebrate and congratulate the award recipients.

Thank you to the following for their sponsorship of our wonderful evening:

Abbott Laboratories
Automated Health Systems
GlaxoSmithKline
Humana
Midwest Dairy Council
Pri-Med
sanofi pasteur
Schering-Plough
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

This year’s family medicine honors included:

Family Physician of the Year – James P. Valek, MD of Evergreen Park
Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year – Greg Kirschner, MD, MPH of Park Ridge
Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year – Adam Bennett, MD of Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago
Media Award – Stephanie Sievers of Small Newspaper Group, Springfield Bureau
President’s Award (2) – Robert Boll, DO of Orland Park and the sponsoring legislators of the Smoke-Free Illinois bill: Sen. Terry Link (D-30, Waukegan), Sen. John J. Cullerton (D-6, Chicago) and Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough (D-7, Maywood).

Read more about the awards at http://www.iafp.com/PR/2007AwardWinners.htm.

HOW DID FAMILY MEDICINE EVOLVE OVER 60 YEARS?
Log on to the IAFP web site and read our newly released “60 Years of Caring” chronology at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/SixtyYearsofCaring2007FINAL.pdf

AAFP CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS

The AAFP’s policy-making body, the Congress of Delegates, met earlier this week during the AAFP annual meeting in Chicago. Your Illinois Academy of Family Physicians would like to spotlight a few of the major issues discussed this week.

You can read the full reports from the 2007 Congress of Delegates in the Members Only section at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/aboutus/theaafp/congress.mem.html
1. AAFP STRENGTHENS AND CLARIFIES ITS STANCE ON RETAIL HEALTH CLINICS

Articulating a concern felt by many family physicians, the introduction to the AAFP policy on retail health clinics now reads, “AAFP does not endorse retail health clinics and believes such health care delivery could interfere with the medical home.” AAFP has never endorsed any retail health clinic. The explicit statement goes on to acknowledge family physicians’ choice whether or not to work with retail health clinics; finishing with advice to retail health clinics to abide by the AAFP principles.

As new clinics have opened in northeastern Illinois in the past few months, this issue has been discussed extensively in the media and among Illinois family physicians.

Link to the IAFP issue brief paper at http://www.iafp.com/PR/retailhealth.htm

2. AAFP’S NEW PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM
“Health Care for Everyone,” promotes a patient-centered medical home for all Americans, provided by a family physician. In the medical home, patients would have access to all the following services without co-payments and deductibles:
• Primary care
• Prenatal care
• Well-child visits
• Immunizations and other evidence-based preventive services
• Hospice

Other health services would be paid on a fee-for-service basis, with possible co-payments and deductibles. Catastrophic financial protection would cover patient’s costs above a maximum out-of-pocket ceiling.

Family physicians whose practices qualified as medical homes would be paid a management fee monthly for each patient to support the time, administration and infrastructure that is necessary to be a medical home.

Energetic IAFP members were encouraged by the steps taken by AAFP to modify its health care reform plan, “Health care for everyone” to advance the medical home concept with government and business. “The new logo and ad campaign by AAFP takes the family physician message directly to business and government,” says Michael Temporal, M.D., of Belleville, who was re-elected for a second term as IAFP treasurer.

The cost of medical homes for all Americans is $47.5 billion per year, reports the Lewin Group. However, Americans with medical homes save $15.5 billion due to better care coordination, prevention, and outcomes.

Providing insurance cards to all does not solve the access problem. Medical homes for all Americans can.

3. WAVING THE BANNER OF FAMILY MEDICINE

Business leaders and government are the focus of a new campaign to proclaim the leading role of family medicine to establish medical homes for all Americans. Family physicians know that a patient-centered approach to health care provides the best disease prevention, chronic care management and healthier patients. With AAFP’s new ad campaign, the Academy brings its assertive actions, forceful language and new identity to business and government.

Attendees at the IAFP’s annual business meeting, held during the AAFP annual meeting in Chicago this week, saw a video of the new campaign including the new AAFP logo, with its tagline, “Strong Medicine for America.”

Link to more on AAFP’s web site at:
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/aboutus/theaafp/torch.html

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

**STATE GOVERNMENT

*HOUSE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR’S AMENDATORY AND REDUCTION VETOES
The General Assembly completed their first half of the two week veto session on Thursday without resolving many of the state’s most pressing issues. The House voted to override the governor’s amendatory and reduction vetoes. However, the Senate has not taken any action as Senate President Emil Jones holds to his pledge to not call for an override vote, despite the urging of some other Senate democrats.

*Two senators did join IAFP for our 60th anniversary celebration on October 4th to accept IAFP President’s Awards from 2006-07 president Kathleen J. Miller, MD. Dr. Miller chose to honor Sens. John Cullerton and Terry Link as the leading sponsors of Senate Bill 500, now the Smoke-free Illinois Act. Both senators thanked the IAFP and related how this bill indicates the most important duty they have as lawmakers – to protect the people of Illinois.
Read more about the awards at http://www.iafp.com/PR/2007AwardWinners.htm.

**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.

Profile Compliance
Prior to the release of your profile information to the public, you have 60 days to review the information in your profile, correct any inaccuracies, and provide additional required profile information. Failure to comply with this request within 60 days may result in disciplinary action against your license.

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

**FEDERAL UPDATE

1. PRESDIENT VETOES SCHIP BILL
President Bush vetoed the bi-partisan legislation Wednesday morning. Congress sent the legislation expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, to the White House on Tuesday. The Senate voted 67-29 on September 27th to expand the program. Bush has said it's a step toward universal coverage, which he opposes on philosophical grounds. The program would double -- from 4 million to 8 million -- the number of children covered.

2. CONGRESS DELAYS TAMPER-PROOF RX REQUIREMENT
Congress voted to delay by six months a new requirement intended to reduce prescription drug fraud in the Medicaid health program, passing the House yesterday. The law requiring all prescriptions for Medicaid patients be submitted electronically or only on tamper resistant prescription pads was scheduled to take effect on October 1st, even though CMS and State Medicaid offices has only recently announced administrative rules for compliance.

The delay moves the compliance deadline to April 1, 2008.
The president signed the bill on Tuesday October 2nd.

Link to the CMS document on the IAFP web site at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/CMS%20FAQ%20Tamper%20Resistant%20Pads.pdf

You can still find the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services FAQ available to download, print or save at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/090607_tamperqna.pdf

View the IDHFS Sept. 5 provider notice at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/090507tamper.pdf

FOUNDATION

**IAFP FOUNDATION BOARD UPDATES AND ACTIVITIES
The Family Health Foundation of Illinois (a.k.a. the IAFP Foundation) met on October 3rd at the Chicago Downtown Marriott.

Joining the board this year are Helen Williams, MD – resident board member from Advocate Lutheran General Family Medicine Residency program and Anthony Mrgudich, medical student from Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine. Arvind Goyal, MD of Rolling Meadows was re-elected as the Foundation Chair and Carolyn Lopez, MD of Chicago was re-elected to vice chair. The following Board members were re-elected to a new two year term of office: Robert Heerens, MD of Rockford; Rick Leary, MD of Oak Park; and Steve Stabile, MD of Chicago.

The Foundation has won two grants from AAFP Foundation sources in recent months:
1. AAFP Foundation Health Literacy Grant in the amount of $10,000 for the “Senior to Senior” program founded by Dr. Heerens to encourage Academy life members to take health and wellness information to seniors in their community.
2. AAFP Family Medicine Philanthropic Consortium awarded $5,000 for Illinois to launch a formal “Adopt an FMIG” program linking medical school FMIGs with nearby family medicine residency programs for education, support, mentoring and community activities.

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SIGN UP AS A TAR WARS PRESENTER - It only takes one hour to present to a group of 4th or 5th graders and it’s FUN! You can visit a local school, a scout troop, sports team, after school program – anywhere that would like to include Tar Wars in their efforts to help children stay tobacco free. View the program guide at http://www.tarwars.org.

You can link to a sign up form at http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/corporate/presentersignup.htm or contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com for more information.

Don’t have time to present, but want to help? Make a tax-deductible donation or donate prizes for the 2008 poster contest! You can even donate frequent flyer miles for next year’s poster contest winner. Contact Ginnie with your ideas.

CME Information:

** 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/calendar/

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.
Chicago, IL-Thursday and Friday, November 1-2, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/30/events/30CHI07B/Conference
St. Louis, MO-Thursday and Friday, December 6-7, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/30/events/30STL07B/Conference

*Pri-Med Updates in Women’s Health
Introducing a new one-day program designed for Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Family Physicians. By attending, you will gain a better understanding of screening techniques and management strategies that will serve the unique needs of your female patients
Chicago, IL-Saturday, November 3, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/43/cities/43CHI

*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 .

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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 .

*The Chicago marathon was Sunday October 7th. Marathoner Jeffrey Tiemstra, MD was one of many runners quoted in a Chicago Sun-Times October 2 feature with advice on how to prepare for race day. Dr. Tiemstra completed his 19th consecutive Chicago marathons on Sunday October 7 in 5 hours and 30 minutes. On a day of record heat in Chicago, his advice on hydration and preparation no doubt served him well.

*Ben Brewer, MD talks about what it really means to be available for his patients 24/7 in this Sept. 25the “From the Doctor’s Office” for the Wall Street Journal.

*Martin Faber, MD and Charles Running, MD are featured in the October 2 News Tribune in LaSalle County about how patients and physicians should communicate, asking the right questions, to get the most out of each medical visit.

*Executive vice president Vince Keenan is quoted in the September 13 issue of Illinois Times article about the Illinois Health Connect rollout in central Illinois. Illinois Health Connect is the primary care case management program for Medicaid patients.

*University of Illinois at Chicago family physicians Jeffrey Tiemstra, MD and Nandini Khatkhate, MD have an article in the October issue of American Family Physician on the diagnosis and treatment of Bell’s Palsy.

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RESIDENT NEWS:

1) REGISTER NOW: IAFP’S 3RD RESIDENT ROUNDUP IN CHICAGO
Tuesday, October 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00PM
O”Brien’s Restaurant
1524 N. Wells Street in Chicago

Money, Money, Money!!! You won’t want to miss this valuable networking and educational opportunity on personal and professional finance issues. Previous roundups in Oak Park and Springfield drew rave reviews from Illinois family medicine residents. Our event includes dinner and a chance to talk shop with residents from throughout Chicagoland.

Link to a printable registration form at http://www.iafp.com/residents/residentroundupoct20.htm
Or contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com to register via e-mail.

2) AAFP SEEKS ENTRANTS FOR RESIDENT SCHOLARS COMPETITION
This year’s competition will focus on two categories 1) Discovery and 2) Synthesis. The application deadline has been extended to Nov. 1. Find information and an application on the AAFP web site at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/residents/grantsawards/residentscholars.html.

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

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

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

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** AUTUMN CAN BE A TIME OF RISK FOR TICKBORNE DISEASES, INCLUDING LYME DISEASE

Ticks can be most active when ground temperatures are 40 degrees or higher. In recent years, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued vital information about the expanding range of the blacklegged tick in Illinois. The blacklegged tick, commonly called "the deer tick," is capable of transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis (formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis or HGE), and another tick-borne disease caused by a parasite, babesiosis.

To view a map of Illinois areas where this tick is found and more information about Lyme disease for health care providers in Illinois link to http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/LymeDiseaseHlthProviderInfo.pdf.

Two other types of ticks, the American dog tick and the lone star tick, are likely present throughout Illinois. Infected American dog ticks are responsible for cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and infected lone star ticks can transmit the agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Both of these infections can be fatal in the absence of recognition and treatment. All of these ticks are capable of transmitting another potentially fatal tickborne disease, tularemia.

Physicians should keep these items in mind when seeing patients who have been spending quality time outdoors.

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 ILLINOIS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH COALITION
Chicago Area Immunization Campaign
Fall General Meeting

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Public Health Auditorium

REGISTER ONLINE AT http://www.ilmaternal.org/CAIC/Misc/fall2007genmtg.pdf

**YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED....PHARMA PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
As you are probably aware, patient assistance programs are run by each pharmaceutical company to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Sponsored by the PHARMA, the pharmaceutical trade association, the RxAssist web site http://www.rxassist.org offers a database of the various manufacturer's patient assistance programs, as well as an online tool to complete each manufacturers application.
While the RxAssist web site represents a significant advance, it falls short of true process standardization nor does it streamline the amount of information required for submission to each company.

If you or someone on your staff have suggestions to improve these programs, we need your input. A focus group with stakeholders from across the nation will be convened in early November to solicit input. If you are interested in participating in this focus group, or sending your written comments, please send your information to: Stanley Borg, D.O. at s_b88@hotmail.com .

** SUPPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE PATIENTS
Monthly call-in support group for Stroke Survivors throughout Illinois!
The goal of the SSEEO Toll-Free Telephone Stroke Support Group is to build community, provide support and share information by connecting survivors, caregivers, health professionals and other stroke stakeholders.

Upcoming Topics: The Emotional Side of Stroke
Featuring: Brian Leahy, PhD
Family and Caregiver Issues in Stroke, call at Noon on October 19

IMPORTANT CALL-IN INFORMATION: Participation on the calls is absolutely free but advance registration is required due to limited line availability. Please contact us at 1-800-677-5481 ext. 7438 and provide the following information: First and last name(s), mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number. These conference calls are made possible through the generous sponsorship of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.

**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 .

CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for FP’s for its satellite offices in Danville and Rantoul. Good call schedules. No OB. The clinic is looking for highly motivated FP’s who want to work hard and be rewarded for it. Starting salary could be $190K, with lucrative bonus potential. Earnings well above national and regional averages. Champaign is the home of the University of Illinois, with many cultural, social, and athletic amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Contact Christopher Kashnig at Christie Clinic. Phone 217-366-5374. E-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com