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Maine Academy of Family Physicians

In This Issue
New HIV Testing Law Effective
"Preventionists" in Health Care
Bath Salts Webinar
ABFM Exam Moving Dates
Academic Detailer Position Open

New HIV Testing Law Effective September 28th  

The MeCDC is reminding clinicians that 5 MRSA �19203-A, Maine's HIV testing and consent law, was amended this past legislative session to include a sixth subsection on the "protection of newborn infants," which goes into effect on September 28th. 

 

The amended section of the law requires health care providers caring for pregnant women to include HIV tests in the standard set of medical tests performed, subject to the consent and procedure requirements of  

5 MRSA §19203-A, sub-§1    That sections requires that a patient must be informed orally or in writing that an HIV test will be performed, unless the patient declines.

 

Under the new law, health care providers caring for newborn infants are also required to test the infant for HIV and ensure that the results are available within 12 hours of birth if the health care provider does not know the HIV status of the mother or the health care provider believes that HIV testing is medically necessary.  

There is an exception if a parent objects to the test on the grounds that it conflicts with the sincere religious or conscientious beliefs and practices of the parent.  The full text of the NEW LAW is available HERE

The Time is Right for "Preventionists" in Health Care

Today's health care cost crisis is largely a consequence of a health crisis due to unhealthy lifestyle decisions and actions made throughout our society on a daily basis. Chronic conditions account for 75 percent of health care costs and 70 percent of deaths in the United States. In fact, 96% of all Medicare expenditures are spent on these chronic conditions that have lifestyle health risk factors impacting their development. Ironically, the CDC reported that up to 40% of cancer cases - as well as 80% of diabetes and heart disease cases - could be prevented if Americans did not smoke, ate healthy and exercised adequately

Read entire article: READ the entire article 


 

from desk of exec

This is perhaps one, if not the best, videos I've seen that provides an explanation/context for the health care crisis facing our country...  

 

 Watch HOBBS Healthcare Video

 

Hobbs is a fictional city whose mayor has a very real problem: How will he implement his scheme to bring in good clean health care jobs when every other American city is trying to do the same? How far will he go to nab those fabled 'medical tourists?' And what will this medical arms race do to our insurance premiums and taxes?  


September 26, 2011
Greetings!

Save-the-Date now
 for 
MAFP's 20th Annual Family Medicine Update 6 Annual Meeting - Bar Harbor, April 11-13, 2012
 

 

Some highlights this year - SAM Study Group on April 11th, Tour of Jackson Labs April 11th, Annual MAFP Meeting in the evening on the 12th

 

Stay on for the FREE Friday afternoon conference: "Cancer in the Family: Primary Care Matters" Sponsored by Maine General Medical Center & Jackson Labs through a special grant.

NNEPC Bath Salts Webinar Available

The Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) is offering recorded webinar presentations regarding the new synthetic drugs known as "bath salts."

 

The webinar is a slide and audio presentation recroded by Dr. Karen Simone, NNEPC Director, and Dr. Tamas Peredy, NNEPC Medical Director.  The presentation is available for viewing at any time.  It can be accessed through the NNEPC website, www.nnepc.org, or directly at Bath Salts webinar.  

 

The presentation is given in two parts.  The first is a general overview of bath salts appropriate for all audiences.  The second is aimed at health care professionals and gives information related to treating bath salts patients.

 

NNEPC is currently able to offer continuing education credits for Maine and New Hampshire EMS personnel for the bath salts recorded webinar.  They expect to be able to offer other types of continuing education credits in the near future.

The ABFM MC-FP Examination Is Moving To APRIL in 2012

Beginning in 2012, the ABFM MC-FP examination will be held in April instead of July.  Diplomates who are in good standing and hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada are eligible to apply for and take the examination. 

 

Residents who are in good standing and expected to complete training on or about July 1, 2012 are eligible to take the April 2012 examination. A currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada is not required for residents to apply for and take the April examination. Certification will be awarded when all of the criteria are met:

1. Successful performance on the ABFM MC-FP Examination

2. The Program Director verifies that the resident has successfully met all of the ACGME program requirements

3. The candidate obtains a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada

 

These conditions must be met by December 31, 2012.

 

The dates for the April 2012 MC-FP Examination are:

April 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21

 

The MC-FP Examination will also be offered in November for candidates who fail the spring administration of the examination, or for those residents in good standing who are off-cycle and are expected to complete training on or about December 31, 2012.

 

The dates for the November 2012 MC-FP Examination are:

November 7, 8, 9, 10

 

As with the April exam, Diplomates who are in good standing and hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada are eligible to apply for and take the examination.

 

A currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada is not necessary for residents to apply for and take the exam, but in order to be awarded certification, the same three criteria listed above must be met by July 1 of the following year.  

 

For more information contact:  Jane Ireland, Program Coordinator, ABFM 

888-995-5700 ext 1249

859-335-7501 (fax)

[email protected]


MMA Seeks Academic Detailer

 

SEEKING CONTRACT ACADEMIC DETAILER

Job Description:

The Maine Medical Association, on behalf of the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS), is seeking a clinical health professional to serve in the role of a contract "academic detailer."  Academic detailing entails offering independent, scientific evidence on prescription drugs at the request of prescribers working in primary care.

The part-time contract academic detailer will conduct face-to-face educational outreach visits to discuss the current evidence on best clinical prescribing practices.  The candidate will be available to do one-on-one consultations with prescribers and group teaching sessions in practices, hospitals and at conferences, per request, across the state.

Hours required will vary from month to month, based on demand, and may range anywhere from 5 to 35 hours a month. Flexibility is required.

 

Training:

Candidates must be available to attend a two-day training session on the principles and techniques of academic detailing, including small-group sessions with current academic detailers and videotaped detailing sessions with practicing physicians.

Location: Boston
Date: November 7 and 8

Additional trainings on specific clinical topics to be detailed will take place in Maine or Boston periodically, dates to be determined.

 

Requirements:

Clinical background: MD, PA-C, RN, CNP, or PharmD or similar.

Two or more years of clinical experience.

Therapeutic competency.

Strong interpersonal skills including service-orientation.

Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.

Ability to travel throughout state as well as to occasional overnight trainings in Boston.

Ability to attend monthly work group meeting in Manchester (mornings) and quarterly advisory committee meetings in Augusta (evenings).

Pay:

The contractor will be paid on an hourly basis commensurate with the candidate's background and skills.

Contact:

Please send cover letter and resume by September 30th to: Jennifer Reck, MA, MICIS Program Manager, at [email protected]

MAFP 20th Annual Family Medicine Update 7 Annual Meeting

April 11-13, 2012

in Bar Harbor

 

Brochure and Registration available after January 1st