"We Take Care of Our Own." 

by Dr. Robert C. Henderson II, MD
2015 President, Western Carolina Medical Society

Excerpt: " 'The prevalence of symptomatic burnout is staggeringly high in practicing physicians', stated Dr. Dike Drummond in his book Stop Physician Burnout.    Drummond went onto quote a JAMA, 2009 article that reported one out of every three physicians is experiencing burnout at any given time.  This malady is not selective as to who is affected, but rather encompasses all specialties in medicine today, although some are more vulnerable than others."

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Clinicians who work with older adults and/or adults with disabilities at risk for falls are being asked to complete a Falls Survey of NC Clinicians.

A workgroup under the NC Falls Prevention Coalition, under leadership from the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) at the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and by means of an Administration for Community Living (ACL) falls prevention grant, are conducting this brief survey to help them better understand clinician awareness and use of falls prevention programs and services in North Carolina. It is also an opportunity for you to make them aware of your needs (and those of your patients and clients) in this area. Your answers are confidential and will not be associated with you or your practice.

The very brief survey (with 13 mostly multiple choice questions), can be accessed through the following link:

https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EodYjUxLoS8lmZ 

Please complete this survey by Wednesday, July 1, 2015.

You may contact Nicolle Miller at NC DAAS (Nicolle.miller@dhhs.nc.gov) if you have any questions or technical issues. Feel free to forward this e-mail and survey link to additional clinicians in your network (PTs, OTs, physicians, social workers, pharmacists, nurses, EMTs, etc.).

First Look:

The centerpiece of the Senate budget is a complete overhaul of the state's program to provide health care for low-income children, some adults, people with disabilities and poor elderly who live in nursing homes.

For several years, members of the Senate have made no secret of preferring a Medicaid system that takes control of the program away from the legislature and places it in the hands of managed care companies.

To that end, the plan calls for removing administration of Medicaid from the Department of Health and Human Services and creating a Health Benefits Authority with an independent board empowered to make all planning, policy and spending decisions. 

Click here to read more.