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MMS News & Announcements
MMS Study Shows Access to Mass. Physicians Improving Slightly
MMS this week released the 2012 Patient Access to Care Study, which found that waiting times for new patient appointments improved slightly at primary care practice, though nearly half of primary care practices still closed to new patients.
A separate study also released this week found that 87 percent of patients surveyed said they were satisfied with their health care, consistent with historical data. Approximately 90% of residents reported seeing a primary care physician within the last year, marking the highest reported visitation rate since the MMS first asked the question in 2003. Of those surveyed, 50% of adults said affordability is the single most important health care issue facing the state.
Both studies are part of the Society's 2012 Physician Workforce Study, an annual comprehensive look at the state's physician labor force. The 2012 study, which includes added information from surveys of practicing physicians, teaching hospitals, and community hospitals, will be released in September.
Media coverage:
MMS Physicians and Attorneys Work Together on Med-Mal Reforms
MMS, along with the Massachusetts Bar Association and Massachusetts Association of Trial Lawyers, entered into a historic and unprecedented partnership between physicians and attorneys recently in an effort to reform the medical liability system. The cooperative effort resulted in language in the health care cost control law recently signed by Gov. Patrick containing specific language that facilitates an approach of Disclosure, Apology, and Offer (DA&O) to address medical malpractice claims.
Prescription Drug Abuse Bill Advances to Gov. Patrick
The Massachusetts Senate this week passed legislation changing the state's prescription drug monitoring program, in an effort as part of an effort to reduce prescription drug abuse. Last week, the MMS urged the approval of the House version of the bill, which automatically registers all prescribers in the program.
MMS President to WBUR: "Reform Means Patients Have to Change Too"
At this week's ceremony marking the signing of the payment reform and cost control law, MMS President Richard Aghababian, M.D., was interviewed by a WBUR reporter about how physicians viewed the new law.
"If the citizens of Massachusetts want to control the costs of health care, not only do we have to change doctor-hospital-nurse behavior but we also have to change patient behavior," said Dr. Aghababian. "If we want to be leaders in this movement toward getting more people covered and improving the quality of health care outcomes, we as individuals all have to participate."
Legal Advisory Plan Enrollment Period is Expiring -- Apply Today
The open enrollment period for the Legal Advisory Plan for July 2012 through July 2013 is expiring. Renew or join now and we will bridge your coverage back to July 1, 2012. LAP coverage may prove very valuable if you ever receive notice from the Board of Registration in Medicine of an investigation or a complaint lodged against you. You are also entitled to one free 30-minute consultation concerning Board of Registration in Medicine matters and a free subscription to The Legal Advisor, the quarterly newsletter, is included with your enrollment. For questions or an application form, call Carolyn Maher at 781-434-7311 or email lap@massmed.org.
Deadline is Aug. 17 for Mass. AMA Delegation Candidate Nominations
The Committee on Nominations is currently considering candidates to fill delegate and alternate delegate positions on the Massachusetts AMA Delegation. Candidates should complete a nomination questionnaire for each position sought and submit it along with their resumes no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012 to the Committee on Nominations, Massachusetts Medical Society, Department of Governance Meetings and Services, 860 Winter Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451-1411.
Incumbents, as well as new nominees, must complete the questionnaire. Interviews with the Committee on Nominations will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All nominees should reserve this date. If you have questions, please contact Bonney Erskine at Society headquarters at (800) 322-2303, ext. 7208 or berskine@mms.org
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
PubMed: How to Search Like a Librarian
Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Women's Leadership Forum: Effective Team Leadership
Monday, September 24, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Management of Carotid Artery Stenosis and Acute Stroke: How to Provide the Best Treatments for Your Patients
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
CME Accreditation Orientation
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Thursday, October 18, 2012, 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Please call for more information (800) 322-2303, x7306.
Controversies in the Screening and Management of Breast Disease
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, November 2, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Save the Date
Directors of Medical Education Conference
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
Coming Soon: Acid Suppression Therapy: Neutralizing the Hype, Legal Advisor: Legal Duties and Options When a Patient Raises Suicide
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme.
TheAnswerPage.com
Earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every week by reading targeted content relative to pain medicine, opioid prescribing, palliative care, risk management, hospital medicine, perioperative medicine, anesthesiology, and clinical statistics and completing either an Interactive Crossword Puzzle or Standardized Quiz. For more information, contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
State struggles to control EEE threat
This year's infestation of mosquitoes infected with Eastern equine encephalitis is the most intense that Massachusetts has experienced in three decades, according to a top health official.A Metrowest man became the year's first EEE case but apparently was infected out of state. State officials also announced that aerial spraying for mosquitoes will be expanded to Bridgewater, Easton, Norton, Raynham, Taunton, and West Bridgewater starting at 7:45 p.m. on Monday, August 13.
Report: Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital May Switch Partners
A steering committee of trustees and members of the affiliated network of doctors, Signature Medical Group are considering changing hospital affiliations from Tufts Medical Center to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Urgent Care Center Opening First Location in Dennis
Quincy-based CareWell Urgent Care company plans to open its first clinic on Cape Cod in mid-September. It plans to open a second location in Warwick, R.I., this fall as well.
Heywood Hospital of Gardner Aligns With Athol Memorial Hospital
A pair of community hospitals in North Central Massachusetts have agreed to form a strategic alliance.
LGH Unveils New ER, Surgical, Maternity Units
This week, Lowell General Hospital unveiled its new main entrance, emergency department, and surgical and maternity units.
Saint Anne's Hospital Breaks Ground on New Wing
Saint Anne's Hospital broke ground this week on a 60,000-square-foot, 40-room patient care building.
Report: State Nursing Shortage Worsened in 2011
A nursing shortage appears to be on the rise in Massachusetts, according to the latest workforce report from the Massachusetts Hospital Association and the regional chapter of the Organization of Nurse Leaders.
