In Ohio, African American men and women have the highest stroke mortality rates of any racial/ethnic group. In response to this statewide health crisis, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), designed a two-part outreach plan aimed to improve cultural sensitivity and communication skills among primary care physicians and a point-of-care patient information package for African-Americans who are at risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The campaign, branded as “Check Read More
By now we hope that you’ve heard about our Check it. Change it. Control it. app for iPhone and Android users. Both versions are available for you and your patients to download to help track, monitor, and control blood pressure. Plus, a lot of other cool things too! Download the Apple or Android version today! After downloading the app, users can complete their personal profile with descriptive characteristics and walk through a risk assessment that will give a general result Read More
By now we hope that you’ve heard about our Check it. Change it. Control it. app for iPhone and Android users. Both versions are available for you and your patients to download to help track, monitor, and control blood pressure. Plus, a lot of other cool things too! Download the Apple or Android version today! After downloading the app, users can complete their personal profile with descriptive characteristics and walk through a risk assessment that will give a general result Read More
By now we hope that you’ve heard about our Check it. Change it. Control it. app for iPhone and Android users. Both versions are available for you and your patients to download to help track, monitor, and control blood pressure. Plus, a lot of other cool things too! Download the Apple or Android version today! After downloading the app, users can complete their personal profile with descriptive characteristics and walk through a risk assessment that will give a general result Read More
By now we hope that you’ve heard about our Check it. Change it. Control it. app for iPhone and Android users. Both versions are available for you and your patients to download to help track, monitor, and control blood pressure. Plus, a lot of other cool things too! Download the Apple or Android version today! After downloading the app, users can complete their personal profile with descriptive characteristics and walk through a risk assessment that will give a general result Read More
By now we hope that you’ve heard about our Check it. Change it. Control it. app for iPhone and Android users. Both versions are available for you and your patients to download to help track, monitor, and control blood pressure. Plus, a lot of other cool things too! Download the Apple or Android version today! After downloading the app, users can complete their personal profile with descriptive characteristics and walk through a risk assessment that will give a general result Read More
The recent approval of several new obesity medications has increased patient interest in intentional weight loss treatments. Rapid weight loss, observed with obesity medications and surgery, can lead to body composition changes that include loss of muscle mass. To help prevent this, it is critical that patients consume adequate protein. Oral nutrition supplements can help meet the need by providing protein and other essential nutrients for patients pursuing intentional weight loss. Check out the following resources from the Abbott Nutrition Read More
Registration is open for the 2023 Family Medicine Workshop! Plan to join your fellow family physicians in January 2023 and examine a broad spectrum of topics and concerns of clinical interest and relevance to primary care physicians. The Family Medicine Workshop will be held Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15, 2023, and Saturday-Sunday, January 28-29, 2023, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel in Westerville, OH. Join us for the Family Medicine Workshop’s 60th anniversary! The annual Family Medicine Workshop provides information on diagnostic techniques, advanced technical theory, Read More
Paid Sponsorship by CGS Administrators, LLC Modeled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program, the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 71% in those 60 and older, improve health, and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. MDPP is offered at no cost to eligible Medicare patients. What is MDPP? MDPP is a 12-month program that helps participants learn how to eat healthy and be Read More
Paid Sponsorship by CGS Administrators, LLC The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is modeled after the National Diabetes Prevention Program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recognized program that helps people with prediabetes reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Research shows that participants in this lifestyle-change program who lost 5-7% of their body weight and added 150 minutes of exercise per week cut their risk of developing T2D by up 58% and by up to 71% for people over Read More
Paid Sponsorship by CGS Administrators, LLC In 2021, diabetes deaths surpassed 100,000 for the second year in a row.[1] Fortunately, type 2 diabetes (T2D)—and its serious health complications—can be prevented or delayed with moderate lifestyle changes. The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a lifestyle-change program designed to reduce the risk for T2D among people with prediabetes. MDPP is modeled after the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and proven to reduce Read More
The 2022 Family Medicine Workshop is back to an in-person event this year, and will examine a broad spectrum of topics and concerns of clinical interest and relevance to primary care physicians. Register to join your fellow physicians Saturday-Sunday, January 15-16, 2022, and/or Saturday-Sunday, January 29-30, 2022, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel in Westerville, OH. Designed to maximize both continuing medical education (CME) and weekend family time, attendees will hear four 2.5 hour presentations per weekend and earn up to 28 CME credits Read More
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians With all the unwelcome challenges 2020 brought, it’s nice to know that this New Year promises to bring positive changes. Case in point: revised office visit evaluation and management (E/M) coding and documentation guidelines that took effect on January 1. Designed to cut administrative burden and boost the amount of time physicians can spend caring for patients, the new guidance prompts family physicians to shift their thinking when it comes to documenting and coding for the Read More
New for 2021, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) will be launching a new member education program designed to help you learn how to lead change, provide stability, improve your care team’s morale, and boost physician well-being in your workplace. You have the opportunity to apply for the first cohort of the Leading Physician Well-Being program, a tuition-free certificate program from the AAFP and the United Health Foundation that’s designed to help you spearhead change in your practice or organization. The Leading Read More
On August 21, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians held its fourth session of the 2019 Wellness Wednesdays series that focused participants on discussing the science supporting the quality, safety, and business cases for focusing on creating a manageable cockpit for clinicians. Also described, was practical leadership, workflow, and teamwork interventions that can improve professional satisfaction and reduce burnout. For those who were not able to join the session, the program was recorded and has been archived on the OAFP’s website. Read More
Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio A number of people recovering from addiction who are employed in drug and alcohol treatment centers could lose their jobs under new Ohio Medicaid rules that consider past criminal convictions (Source: State Panel OKs Ohio Medicaid’s Plan for Drug Treatment Workers with Convictions,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 19, 2018). The rules require people recovering from addiction—and everyone else who provides behavioral health and addiction services—to register as Medicaid providers for billing purposes. They must Read More
Effective April 1, there are new limits in the amount of opiate pills that can be dispensed from a single prescription to a 90-day supply. In addition, opiate prescriptions that are unused after 30 days are invalid. This change was brought about with passage of Senate Bill (SB) 319, the mid-biennium review legislation regarding opiates that was passed during the last General Assembly and signed into law by Governor John Kasich on January 4. SB 319, sponsored by Senator John Read More
In order to ensure information is up-to-date and relevant to practice, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) EasyPI tracks are revised as needed over time. The EasyPI: COPD track has been reviewed and updated – check it out today! Some of the updates include additional resources for prevention, updated GOLD report information, updated articles, an added discharge checklist, and additional quality improvement resources. EasyPI is a peer-reviewed curated collection of online educational resources, to support family physicians in completing Read More
May 4, 2024 OAFP Office Columbus, OH Are you a medical student or family medicine resident wanting to find a mentor but not sure how? Have you had a mentor-mentee relationship that has fizzled out? Looking for best practices to ensure you have mentors all the way through your family medicine career? If your answer is yes, than this program is for you! Join the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) on Saturday, May 4, for Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) would like to congratulate this year’s medical students on an outstanding Match Day. On March 15, a total of 4,595 medical students and graduates matched to family medicine residency programs across the United States! Match Day is a milestone for medical students as they prepare to graduate medical school and transition to their specializations in residency. The National Residency Match Program (NRMP), also known as The Match, aligns graduating and graduated medical students Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is excited to have Novo Nordisk as a Partner in Health! “Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with almost 100 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions including obesity, hemophilia, and growth disorders. We will always choose what is best for the patient and consider how our actions may impact people, communities, Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is excited that Novo Nordisk is a Partner in Health! “Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with almost 100 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions including obesity, hemophilia, and growth disorders. We will always choose what is best for the patient and consider how our actions may impact people, communities, and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians. To access the OAFP Bill Tracker, visit the OAFP Public Policy webpage and click on the Bill Tracker icon. Read on for this week’s updates and contact Advocacy Manager Micah Cook with questions or for ways to get involved. Ohio Chamber Urges Changes to Marijuana Employer Protections, Public Use, Taxes Source: NEA Consulting Weekly Ohio Update The General Assembly and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is excited that Novo Nordisk is a Partner in Health! “Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with almost 100 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions including obesity, hemophilia, and growth disorders. We will always choose what is best for the patient and consider how our actions may impact people, communities, and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians. To access the OAFP Bill Tracker, visit the OAFP Public Policy webpage and click on the Bill Tracker icon. Read on for this week’s updates and contact Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman with questions or for ways to get involved. August Issue of AAFP’s Family Medicine Advocacy Rounds Published The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released its August issue of Family Read More
Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease of adults and children. People who have obesity, compared to those with a healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions. In addition, obesity and its associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. healthcare system.* The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) newest EasyPI track is all about obesity and resources curated on the page will help family physicians and their practice Read More
Source: State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday, August 31, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy (SOBP) is partnering with the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Ohio Department of Health to offer no-cost fentanyl test strips to all Ohio terminal distributors of dangerous drugs. As you may know, the country’s illicit drug supply is increasingly tainted with illicit fentanyl, a Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Bureau of Health Improvement & Wellness, Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP), developed and executed a multi-phased, training program for primary care physicians and their practice teams to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents. After a virtual welcome meeting in January, 11 practice teams embarked on a three-month intervention period to bring awareness to the importance of cancer prevention through increasing Read More
More than 34 million people in the U.S. have diabetes by current clinical standards. One-fifth haven’t been diagnosed.* As the leader of a patient’s care team, family physicians are instrumental in identifying early interventions to effectively manage and treat this disease. Practice teams also need resources to help patients prevent diabetes and effective care coordination ensures patient-centered and high-quality care. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) newest EasyPI track is all about diabetes and resources curated on the page Read More
Welcome to the obesity track page. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) has curated all of the information you will need to complete a self-guided performance improvement (PI) project focused on obesity in practice in order to earn American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) PI and continuing medical education (CME) credits. As a new initiative for the OAFP, we would love your feedback on your current comfort in completing a PI activity for ABFM credit. In order to gauge Read More
Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that all adults ages 19 through 64 be screened for anxiety by their primary care provider (Source: “Primary Care Providers Urged to Ask about Anxiety during Checkups,” Washington Post, June 20, 2023). The recommendation, published in JAMA, stems from concerns about a burgeoning mental health crisis, with growing concerns about depression, anxiety, and suicide. Although the task force advice isn’t mandatory, its recommendations typically change the way Read More
More than 34 million people in the U.S. have diabetes by current clinical standards. One-fifth haven’t been diagnosed.* As the leader of a patient’s care team, family physicians are instrumental in identifying early interventions to effectively manage and treat this disease. Practice teams also need resources to help patients prevent diabetes and effective care coordination ensures patient-centered and high-quality care. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) newest EasyPI track is all about diabetes and resources curated on the page Read More
Too many Americans are losing Medicaid coverage because of red tape, and states should do more to make sure eligible people keep their health insurance, the Biden administration said recently (Source: “Biden Admin Implores States to Slow Medicaid Cuts After More Than 1M Enrollees Dropped,” Kaiser Health News, June 13, 2023). More than a million Americans have lost coverage in the past several weeks, following the end of pandemic protections on April 1, according to the latest Medicaid renewal data Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians. Read on for this week’s updates and contact Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman with questions or for ways to get involved. OAFP Submits Comments on HIPPA Privacy Protections to HHS On June 13, the OAFP submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding a proposal to strengthen HIPPA privacy protections, especially for sensitive Read More
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is to end on Thursday, May 11. The ending of the PHE may impact an individual’s coverage of COVID-19 tests. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages you to know these changes and share the New Consumer Fact Sheet (English/Spanish) on COVID-19 tests. Before May 11 If you have any type of health insurance, you can get up to eight over-the-counter tests per month with Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation throughout the legislative process. Read on for this week’s updates and contact Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman with questions or ways to get involved. Use Your Voice – Urge Congress to Prohibit Unreasonably Restrictive Noncompete Clauses! Earlier this year, you urged Congress to support the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule to ban noncompete clauses in employment agreements. Now, the public comment period on the FTC’s Read More
In order to ensure information is up-to-date and relevant to practice, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) EasyPI tracks are revised as needed (at least once per year). The EasyPI: Adult Immunizations and the EasyPI: COPD tracks have been reviewed and updated – check them out today! An exciting update – all revised tracks incorporate intervention and quality measure examples that can be used for physicians that are in administrative roles or settings without continuity of patients. Check out Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation throughout the legislative process. Read on for this week’s updates. Follow Legislation in Ohio OAFP Launches Online Bill Tracker The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) has launched an online Bill Tracker to keep members updated on healthcare legislation in Ohio. Visit the Bill Tracker to see bill numbers; sponsors; descriptions; and current status within the House/Senate. You can also see if/when the legislation was reviewed by the Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Meet Your Saturday, December 31, Deadline Board-certified family physicians with a certification stage ending on Saturday, December 31, 2022, are encouraged to log into their MyABFM Portfolio to confirm they have completed any and all outstanding requirements. This includes physicians who last completed their exam requirement in 2013, 2016, or 2019. Physicians in the 2020-22 cohort who do not complete their stage requirements by Saturday, December 31, 2022, will no longer be board certified. To help with these outstanding requirements, physicians can Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Reprinted from the fall issue of The Ohio Family Physician By: Kate Szymanski, DO; Luisa Corpuz, MD; and Megan Sizemore, PharmD, University of Toledo Medical Center, Family Medicine Myth 1: It is more important to avoid “lows” than “highs.” Reality: While there is some truth to this myth, because of the critical nature of hypoglycemia, it is helpful to educate the patient on striking a balance and not over-treating their lows. Even patients with long-term diabetes can benefit from reviewing Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Teams will have access to recorded presentations delivered by expert speakers in HPV-related cancer care, with topics ranging from the clinical background of HPV-related cancers, up-to-date guidelines, the importance of QI in patient care and population Read More
Online registration is closed. This 2023 program was free to the first 15 practice teams to register. If you have questions, please contact Kaitlin McGuffie. Team Resources & Materials The selected Ohio Academy of Family Physicians members and their practice teams have the unique opportunity to take part in a virtual quality improvement (QI) project to improve Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination rates in adolescents – improving patient care and meeting ongoing board certification requirements. Selected teams have access to Read More
Reprinted from the summer issue of The Ohio Family Physician By: Laura L. Sorg, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities “Let’s wait and see. Maybe we can re-evaluate in six months?” I heard those words coming out of my mouth before I could even realize what I was saying. The mother of a 24-month-old sighed with relief as her son played with a toy on her lap. It was 2013 at the end of a long day Read More
Welcome to the asthma track page. Here you will find all of the information you need to complete a self-guided performance improvement (PI) project focused on asthma in practice that will earn you American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) PI and continuing medical education (CME) credits. As a new initiative for the OAFP, we would love your feedback on your current comfort in completing a PI activity for ABFM credit. In order to gauge effectiveness of this new tool, EasyPI, Read More
Welcome to the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) track page. Here you will find all of the information you need to complete a self-guided performance improvement (PI) project focused on COPD in practice that will earn you American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) PI and continuing medical education (CME) credits. As we continually assess how this tool is being used, we would love your feedback on your current comfort in completing a PI activity for ABFM credit. In order to Read More
Reprinted from the winter 2021 Issue of The Ohio Family Physician. By: William J. Naber II, OMS-IV, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OH-HCOM) Growing up skating on the frozen ponds of western New York, I dreamed of playing hockey professionally. As my skills grew, so did my passion for health, fitness, teamwork, and helping others achieve their goals. While climbing the hockey ranks, I started working at a local hospital as a patient sitter and emergency medical technician. Before long, Read More
On October 25, Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), announced additional quarantine options, “Mask to Stay” and “Mask to Play,” for school districts and local health departments across the state. Out-of-school quarantining has the unintended consequence of reducing in-school learning and can place an added strain on parents, schools, and local health departments. “While vaccination and masking remain critical components of ensuring a safe school environment, to support in-school learning, OHD is offering an in-school Read More
On, August 19, over 35 physicians and residents attended the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) live webinar, Advancing LGBTQ+ Health Equity: Understanding HIV PrEP and Transgender Hormone Therapy, with speaker Erika A. Sullivan, MD, MS, a Utah Academy of Family Physicians Member. Ohio physician member Natalie Hinchcliffe, DO, moderated the webinar. Attendees worked through many topics, including the personal and institutional changes needed to reduce LGBTQ+ health disparities and increase access to care, and the basics of providing transgender hormone Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Physician Read More
Last month, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) launched a new and improved Physician Portfolio! Designed with physician input, MyABFM Portfolio is a clean, purpose-driven redesign of the individual portfolio that family physicians use for certification. To help find information quickly, a new, personalized, one-page dashboard will provide a snapshot of their certification status, remaining requirements, and quick access to their profile information, continuing medical education (CME), licensure, exams, fees, and more. Designed with abundant input from Diplomates at Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Physician Read More
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration Are you a faculty member at an approved health professions school with an interest in training the next generation of health professionals? If so, you may be eligible for the Health Resources & Services Administration’s Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP). FLRP works to recruit health professions faculty from diverse backgrounds. Participants receive up to $40,000 to pay off their qualifying educational loans in exchange for two years of teaching service. The application deadline is Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Physician Read More
On April 22, over 70 physicians, residents, students, and supporters of family medicine attended the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) live webinar Challenging Race-Based Medicine in Practice. The audience included Academy members from eight states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Attendees had an opportunity to understand the origins of race-based medicine, the implications of conflating race with genetic ancestry, identify the racist underpinnings of many commonly practiced treatment plans and diagnosed diseases, and set Read More
On March 24, members of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate voted to override Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), legislation that allow legislators to reject or modify state health orders. The vote in the Senate was 23-10 and the vote in the House was 62-35. Supporters say that this legislation provides necessary checks and balances to executive power. Opponents think limiting a governor’s ability to issue public health orders jeopardizes the safety of every Ohioan. Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Physician Read More
Medical students across all specialties are eagerly anticipating Match Day, this Friday, March 19, when they can finally open their envelopes and find out where they will be completing their residency training. After four years of medical school, program research, applications, interviews, and submitting their rank list, these students will now be ready to start planning for residency—the next step in their journey to becoming a physician. Over the past year, medical students have shown their resilience and drive to Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: **NEW** Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: **NEW** Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Read More
As we continue to adapt to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works hard to sustain programming that cultivates student career choice in the specialty of family medicine; building a strong workforce to carry the torch forward. To help raise funds for the 2021 LeRoy A. Rogers, MD, Preceptorship Program, and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation is running the following merchandise campaigns: **NEW** Proud to be a Vaccinated OAFP Family Read More
Source: State Medical Board of Ohio House Bill 404 of the 133rd Ohio General Assembly, provisions of which relate to extension of deadlines for State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) licensees was signed by Governor DeWine on November 23, 2020. The provisions related to the extension of the COVID-19 emergency were effective immediately. SMBO licensees who have licenses set to expire during the period of emergency (March 9, 2020 – April 1, 2021) now have until July 1, 2021 to Read More
Did you miss any of the live Bite-Sized Learning sessions in 2020? No worries! Now you can watch them anytime, anywhere — on demand. Family physicians provided information, tips, resources, and more from topics ranging from telemedicine and COVID to social justice, population health, and family medicine leadership. Bite-Sized Learning: Caring for the LGBTQI+ Community December 7, 2020 Moderated by OAFP President Mike Sevilla, MD, this session features Mark McLoney, MD, medical director for MetroHealth’s LGBTQI+ Pride Network Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
The OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works to cultivate student career choice in the specialty of family medicine and ensure a thriving family physician workforce for Ohio by providing educational grants, preceptorship stipends, and scholarships to allow meaningful, family medicine-focused experiences to students and residents. During this year of uncertainty, the OAFP Foundation was still able to meet program expectations by adapting its program elements to fit virtual formats. This allowed the Foundation to continue providing family medicine experiences to over 100 medical students Read More
On December 7, Governor Mike DeWine discussed the Ohio Department of Health aligning its current case definition of antigen testing with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition. In August, the CDC changed the case definition of antigen testing to include case counts without additional verification. Ohio has continued to manually verify an epidemiological link, such as a known positive contact, with an antigen positive test result. As of December 8, ODH will begin including antigen tests without Read More
The OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works to cultivate student career choice in the specialty of family medicine and ensure a thriving family physician workforce for Ohio. Foundation programs have benefited thousands of Ohio medical students and residents over the years through educational grants, preceptorship stipends, and scholarships to provide meaningful, family medicine-focused experiences. During this year of uncertainty, the OAFP Foundation was still able to meet program expectations by adapting its program elements to fit virtual formats. This allowed the Foundation to continue Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, now is your chance to give back to your specialty and participate in Giving Tuesday! The OAFP Foundation (Foundation) works to cultivate student career choice in the specialty of family medicine and ensure a thriving family physician workforce for Ohio. Foundation programs have benefited thousands of Ohio medical students and residents through educational grants, preceptorship stipends, and scholarships to provide meaningful, family medicine-focused experiences. We are so thankful for the support of our individual Read More
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced $20 billion in new Phase 3 Provider Relief funding. Funding for this Phase 3 General Distribution was made possible through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals, physicians, and other health care professionals. Even physicians who have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers Read More
Reprinted from the Fall 2020 Issue of The Ohio Family Physician What a year it has been! We experienced the highs of celebrating the installation of Ohio’s own Gary L. LeRoy, MD, FAAFP, of Dayton, OH, as American Academy of Family Physicians president and the challenges brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) began the year hosting an enhanced schedule of in-person continuing medical education (CME), American Board of Family Medicine certified knowledge Read More
Source: AAFP News It’s never been easier for American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) members to participate in the Academy’s policymaking process than it will be this year. That’s because this year’s Congress of Delegates (COD) is being held virtually, meaning you can join your colleagues to discuss key family medicine issues from anywhere. Although the virtual format requires that some adjustments be made to the normal course of events, most activities remain unchanged — you’ll simply participate from your Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
The Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus (HCGC) is pleased to announce the release of the latest regional quality transparency report for the data period January 1 – December 31, 2019. Working in collaboration with regional healthcare partners, HCGC has identified key quality data that are meaningful to improving the health of patients in Central Ohio. This is the second report that includes social determinants of health (SDOH) data collected through the Central Ohio Pathways HUB (the HUB), an organization of 10 Care Coordination Read More
2020 Archived Sessions | 2021 Archived Sessions The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) will again host monthly, mildly-moderated learning sessions on Sundays at 7 p.m. Members can join the conversation by logging on to the OAFP Facebook or YouTube page to watch live. For our third year of Bite-Sized Learning Sessions, we hope to not only provide educational topics and important clinical information from some of our sponsors and Partners in Health, but also bring you stories of current Read More
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of generosity and unity, a day to come together and give back in response to the unprecedented need cause by COVID-19, no matter who or where you are. Today, we come together as a global community to give, to help, to heal, to thank. Give. Adapting to the change happening around our state and nation, the OAFP Foundation continues its work to build a strong family medicine workforce to carry the torch forward. Although Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently published an interim final rule that announces the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Section 1102 of the law temporarily adds a new product, titled the “Paycheck Protection Program,” (PPP) to the SBA’s 7(a) loan program. Section 1106 provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the PPP. Changes or further clarification from previous SBA guidance Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes and she-roes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand Read More
By: Elizabeth G. Baxley, MD, Executive Vice President, American Board of Family Medicine; Andrew Bazemore, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Research and Policy, American Board of Family Medicine; and Robert Phillips, MD, MSPH, Executive Director, Center for Professionalism and Value in Healthcare Reprinted from the spring 2020 Issue of The Ohio Family Physician. The late Barbara Starfield declared comprehensiveness – caring for patients and families across the spectrum of their lives and providing most of the care that they Read More
Between focusing on serving your patients and the cancellation of all live, in-person American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and Ohio Academy of Family Physicians continuing medical education (CME) events through Sunday, May 31, we want to make sure you have one less thing to worry about. Thus, we are making the following changes related to CME requirements and dues, effective immediately: Any members whose CME re-election cycle ends on Thursday, December 31, 2020, and who have not yet Read More
As family physicians, you are the frontlines of this global pandemic. You are the true heroes. You are serving as a spark in turmoil and risking yourselves so much for your patients, your community, and your family. We see you. We appreciate you. We thank you. We know that your unique ability to adapt, think on your toes, and remain flexible in such uncertain times will be the catalyst for change our healthcare world needs and we stand with you! Read More
The Art of Noticing Unnoticed Life Wisdom Several years ago, fate intervened to inspire me to write the book I am about to share with you. With the editing assistance of Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Executive Vice President Ann Spicer, I submitted a book manuscript for publication later this year. Rather than wait for its fall release, I asked the OAFP staff to give our members something to fill up about 30 minutes of their quiet time. It is Read More
In response to the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network, the Center for Excellence on Protected Health Information (CoE-PHI), the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers, and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) at the University of Nevada – Reno (UNR) are facilitating a free, national online discussion and resource sharing opportunity for physicians and allied health partners who provide substance use disorder (SUD) treatment resources to transition their services to the use of telephone and Read More
As many organizations and institutions have elaborated so far, we are in a time of uncertainty. However, messaging from all of the major organizations that play a part in a resident’s training share a common take home point – taking care of patients, the community, family, each other, and themselves is the most important thing physicians and future physicians should be concerned about right now! But, we know that it is human nature to worry about graduation requirements, certification needs, Read More
Have quick peer-to-peer conversations to help you prepare your office and provide care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ask questions, share resources and offer updates. The new COVID-19 Rapid Response Member Exchange is open for members to share resources, provide updates, and ask questions related to COVID-19. This resource enables quick conversations to support family physicians as they plan their response to the outbreak. American Academy of Family Physicians members, staff, and chapter staff are encouraged to join. Additionally, Read More
An outbreak of COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus) that started in China has spread worldwide. Scientists believe the outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It quickly spread to the rest of the globe. By September 2020, one million people from around the world had died from COVID-19. That number continues to rise. View the current situation summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that spreads when an infected person breathes Read More
By: Mark Schloneger, MD, PriMED Physicians and Karen Davis, RN, BSN, MBA, MediSync Inc. Reprinted from the fall 2019 issue of The Ohio Family Physician. The Rules Have Changed Over the past few years, many changes have occurred in Ohio for primary care physicians who prescribe controlled substances. These changes require primary care physicians to document like pain management specialists, while also addressing the other needs of the patient that entail primary care. This can feel overwhelming. It also has a high Read More
The recent approval of several new obesity medications has increased patient interest in intentional weight loss treatments. Rapid weight loss, observed with obesity medications and surgery, can lead to body composition changes that include loss of muscle mass. To help prevent this, it is critical that patients consume adequate protein. Oral nutrition supplements can help meet the need by providing protein and other essential nutrients for patients pursuing intentional weight loss. Check out the following resources for more information: Intentional Read More
For many clinicians, the work of health care has become undoable. The “cockpit” where physicians and other health professionals work now consists of a cacophony of warning alerts, pop-up messages, mandatory check boxes, a Sisyphean inbox, and maddening documentation. Paradoxically, many interventions intended to improve quality, safety, or value, when taken in totality, may in fact contribute to health system dysfunction by virtue of the cumulative impact on workload and consequent burnout. Join us for the Ohio Academy of Family Read More
For many clinicians, the work of health care has become undoable. The “cockpit” where physicians and other health professionals work now consists of a cacophony of warning alerts, pop-up messages, mandatory check boxes, a Sisyphean inbox, and maddening documentation. Paradoxically, many interventions intended to improve quality, safety, or value, when taken in totality, may in fact contribute to health system dysfunction by virtue of the cumulative impact on workload and consequent burnout. Join us for the Ohio Academy of Family Read More
For many clinicians, the work of health care has become undoable. The “cockpit” where physicians and other health professionals work now consists of a cacophony of warning alerts, pop-up messages, mandatory check boxes, a Sisyphean inbox, and maddening documentation. Paradoxically, many interventions intended to improve quality, safety, or value, when taken in totality, may in fact contribute to health system dysfunction by virtue of the cumulative impact on workload and consequent burnout. Join us for the Ohio Academy of Family Read More
For many clinicians, the work of health care has become undoable. The “cockpit” where physicians and other health professionals work now consists of a cacophony of warning alerts, pop-up messages, mandatory check boxes, a Sisyphean inbox, and maddening documentation. Paradoxically, many interventions intended to improve quality, safety, or value, when taken in totality, may in fact contribute to health system dysfunction by virtue of the cumulative impact on workload and consequent burnout. Join us for the Ohio Academy of Family Read More
For many clinicians, the work of health care has become undoable. The “cockpit” where physicians and other health professionals work now consists of a cacophony of warning alerts, pop-up messages, mandatory check boxes, a Sisyphean inbox, and maddening documentation. Paradoxically, many interventions intended to improve quality, safety, or value, when taken in totality, may in fact contribute to health system dysfunction by virtue of the cumulative impact on workload and consequent burnout. Join us for the Ohio Academy of Family Read More
On June 19, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) held its third session of the 2019 Wellness Wednesdays program. Participants who tuned in focused on learning the benefits of lifestyle medicine and building healthy habits to improve well-being. For those who were not able to join the session, the program was recorded and has been archived on the OAFP website. Several online links to resources and articles are provided in the archive, as well as a link to the session’s PowerPoint Read More
Join us for the next Wellness Wednesdays session, Lifestyle Medicine: Healthy Habits to Improve Your Well-Being, on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:15 – 1 p.m. EST. Welcome to mid-year 2019! Can you believe we’re halfway through this year already? Now’s the time to take a few moments and check-in with yourself. How is your nutrition? How about physical exercise and mental wellness? Have you stayed true to those New Year’s resolutions? We know life throws us curveballs and it’s easy Read More
Join us for the next Wellness Wednesdays session, Lifestyle Medicine: Healthy Habits to Improve Your Well-Being, on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:15 – 1 p.m. EST. Welcome to mid-year 2019! Can you believe we’re halfway through this year already? Now’s the time to take a few moments and check-in with yourself. How is your nutrition? How about physical exercise and mental wellness? Have you stayed true to those New Year’s resolutions? We know life throws us curveballs and it’s easy Read More
Join us for the next Wellness Wednesdays session, Lifestyle Medicine: Healthy Habits to Improve Your Well-Being, on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:15 – 1 p.m. EST. Welcome to mid-year 2019! Can you believe we’re halfway through this year already? Now’s the time to take a few moments and check-in with yourself. How is your nutrition? How about physical exercise and mental wellness? Have you stayed true to those New Year’s resolutions? We know life throws us curveballs and it’s easy Read More
Join us for the next Wellness Wednesdays session, Lifestyle Medicine: Healthy Habits to Improve Your Well-Being, on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:15 – 1 p.m. EST. Welcome to mid-year 2019! Can you believe we’re halfway through this year already? Now’s the time to take a few moments and check-in with yourself. How is your nutrition? How about physical exercise and mental wellness? Have you stayed true to those New Year’s resolutions? We know life throws us curveballs and it’s easy Read More
Join us for the next Wellness Wednesdays session, Lifestyle Medicine: Healthy Habits to Improve Your Well-Being, on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:15 – 1 p.m. EST. Welcome to mid-year 2019! Can you believe we’re halfway through this year already? Now’s the time to take a few moments and check-in with yourself. How is your nutrition? How about physical exercise and mental wellness? Have you stayed true to those New Year’s resolutions? We know life throws us curveballs and it’s easy Read More
By: Garima Methi, MD; Julie Brennan, PhD; and Svitlana Zhukivska, MD Reprinted from the spring 2019 issue of The Ohio Family Physician. Developmental disabilities are chronic mental and/or physical disabilities resulting in significant functional limitations in at least three areas including self-care, learning, mobility, receptive and expressive communication, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency. Common diagnoses associated with developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, and epilepsy and the prevalence is increasing for many disorders. These diagnoses manifest during the Read More
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule which follows many of the recommendations provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP has produced a four-page summary of the final rule and its key provisions. Additionally, AAFP News published an excellent summary article. The AAFP issued a statement attributed to AAFP President John Cullen, MD, citing that the final rule “Is a step forward in easing Read More
How you report Medicare quality data this year affects how you’ll be paid in the future. The data collected in 2018 determines Medicare Part B payment in 2020. The American Academy of Family Physicians has all the information you need to help you navigate these important changes in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Download the 2018 MIPS Playbook, only available to AAFP members, and share it with your staff. You’ll discover how to: Select the right reporting method for you Read More
How you report Medicare quality data this year affects how you’ll be paid in the future. The data collected in 2018 determines Medicare Part B payment in 2020. The American Academy of Family Physicians has all the information you need to help you navigate these important changes in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Download the 2018 MIPS Playbook, only available to AAFP members, and share it with your staff. You’ll discover how to: Select the right reporting method for you Read More
How you report Medicare quality data this year affects how you’ll be paid in the future. The data collected in 2018 determines Medicare Part B payment in 2020. The American Academy of Family Physicians has all the information you need to help you navigate these important changes in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Download the 2018 MIPS Playbook, only available to AAFP members, and share it with your staff. You’ll discover how to: Select the right reporting method for you Read More
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians Washington, DC, Office On July 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put on display the eagerly anticipated Medicare physician fee schedule, which also includes new information on MACRA implementation. The proposed rule would make changes to outpatient Medicare Evaluation and Management requirements by collapsing levels 2-5 under one standard for documentation, and proposes add-on payments for E/M codes. As part of this proposed rule, CMS posted a press release, a fact Read More
How you report Medicare quality data this year affects how you’ll be paid in the future. The data collected in 2018 determines Medicare Part B payment in 2020. The American Academy of Family Physicians has all the information you need to help you navigate these important changes in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Download the 2018 MIPS Playbook, only available to AAFP members, and share it with your staff. You’ll discover how to: Select the right reporting method for Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users has been upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.2 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
You can now use the updated Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) MIPS Participation Lookup Tool to check on your 2018 eligibility for MIPS. Just enter your National Provider Identifier (NPI), to find out whether you need to participate during the 2018 performance year. Changes to Low-Volume Threshold To reduce the burden on small practices, CMS has changed the eligibility threshold for 2018. Clinicians and groups are now excluded from MIPS if they: Billed $90,000 or less in Medicare Read More
Source: AAFP News, January 10, 2018, (c) American Academy of Family Physicians The new year has arrived and with it comes a valuable resource to help family physicians get engaged with — and succeed in — the Merit-Based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS), one track of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Quality Payment Program (QPP). The 2018 MIPS Playbook is available to every American Academy of Family Physicians member free of charge; simply log into your AAFP account and Read More
This is the last in the Health Services Advisory Group’s (HSAG) series of technical assistance emails on improving hypertension control using the M.A.P. checklist. Use the following to walk through the M.A.P. checklist and shared evidence-based tools and resources to assist you in your practice’s efforts to improve your patients’ outcomes. The M.A.P. checklist, developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and Johns Hopkins Medicine, represents: M = Measure blood pressure accurately A = Act rapidly to reduce clinical inertia Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users has been upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.2 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
The Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) 2018 State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program application cycle is now open and posted on the ODH website. Potential sponsors for the 2018 application cycle should complete and submit the Notice of Intent to Apply form as soon as possible. Applications for primary care and behavioral health placements (see program priority category 1) will be accepted until Saturday, June 30, 2018. All other applications must be postmarked by Saturday, March 31, 2018. Some tips Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
Thank you for believing in, supporting, and inspiring us to continue infusing the strong programs of the OAFP Foundation with fresh ideas that help us more fully achieve our mission. It is only through you that we can advance our commitment to family medicine and the people we serve. Give We are proud to have earned your commitment. Your contribution makes our programs possible and your compassionate support is building the future of the specialty. You may choose to make Read More
May 18, 2024 Ohio Association of Community Health Centers Columbus, OH The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) invites chief residents for the 2024-25 academic year to register for the Chief Resident Workshop set for Saturday, May 18, at the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) located at 2109 Stella Court in Columbus, OH! Through this specialized training, incoming chief residents will be equipped with the leadership tools needed to have a successful academic year. Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
Are you interested in being more involved with your Academy or receiving a scholarship to harness your leadership potential? Would you like to participate in a summer program to learn more about family medicine? If so, you are in the right spot! Today’s medical students are the future of the specialty. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) highly values the contributions made by medical students and recognizes the importance of training future leaders of medicine. There are many ways Read More
In its ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and save lives, the Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team (GCOAT), established in 2011, developed new prescribing guidelines for the outpatient management of acute pain. The acute guidelines follow previous prescribing guidelines for emergency departments and the management of chronic pain. All three guidelines were developed in conjunction with clinical professional associations, healthcare providers, state licensing boards, and state agencies. The prescribing guidelines are designed to prevent “doctor shopping” for prescription opioids, to Read More
Family medicine practice can be both physically and mentally challenging. The long hours, including charting time at home or on weekends, can take a toll on our happiness. However, if you find ways to bring joy to your practice and your physical, emotional, and spiritual self, you will feel more satisfaction and have less burnout. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has dedicated the summer 2017 issue of The Ohio Family Physician (TOFP) to finding joy in medicine. Please read Read More
In an effort to address issues in a timely fashion, members are encouraged to submit policy/resolution proposals at any time during the year to be reviewed by the Board of Directors, which meets four times annually. Members are required to submit a proposal by using the online submission form to the right that details the issue, scope, and impact of the proposed change. Tips for Crafting Your Proposal “Whereas” clauses simply explain the problem or situation being proposed. Since the Read More
As the birthplace of family medicine, Ohio long has recognized the importance of strong family medicine residency programs that prepare excellent family physicians to meet the challenges and ever-changing needs of patients. If you are considering the fun, diverse, and rewarding career of family medicine, consider our state’s many fine residency programs. Ohio offers 38* family medicine residency programs with superior facilities and progressive clinical environments. While varied in format, each provides consistently, high quality training with dedicated faculty and Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
Ohio (and the nation as a whole) was facing a crisis of burnout among healthcare workers even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic brought the burnout epidemic to the forefront as physicians stepped up to care for their communities across the country, often at great harm to themselves—not only due to the threat of the virus, but because they were already overworked and exhausted. In 2023, the Harvard Gazette reported 50% of healthcare workers suffer from Read More
The following resources are provided for members to find information on practice management issues. If you have a practice-specific question, please contact the OAFP Payer and Practice Issues Committee or the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Practice Management Help Desk. Payment for Physicians Accountable Care Organizations Coding Evaluation & Management Services 2021 Office Visit E/M Guidelines Module “Coding ‘Routine’ Office Visits: 99213 or 99214?” Group Visits Hierarchical Condition Category Medicare Wellness and Care Coordination Annual Wellness Visits Chronic Care Management Read More
Now is the time to take notice of the changes in health care, specifically, value-based payment models. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has dedicated the spring 2017 issue of The Ohio Family Physician to help us better understand several new quality-based payment programs, how they impact the way we deliver care, and how we get paid for providing that care. Feature articles take a deep dive into the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPC Classic); CPC+; the Medicare Access and Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
Paid Advertisement by Ohio Department of Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Program The following is reproduced with permission; by Frederic Lumiere, Filmmaker / January 31, 2016. Every two minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer. With only a few weeks left to live, Michele Baldwin had a dream. She wanted the world to know that other women didn’t have to die from the disease that was about to take her life: cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is almost completely preventable but it Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) has emailed 12,000 physicians (one-third of physicians licensed in Ohio) saying that according to an Ohio Automated RX Reporting System (OARRS) audit report conducted by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy (SOBP) they are not compliant with requirements relative to prescribing opioids. The email threatened possible action against these physicians’ licenses and/or a $20,000 fine for unspecified violations relative to required utilization of OARRS. History has shown that data mined Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians enthusiastically supports the one-year extension of the term of Ryan Kauffman, MD, on the American Academy of Family Physicians Commission on Continuing Professional Development. The number of positions on the commission is being reduced and current members have been asked to re-submit chapter letters of support if they are interested in continued service. Dr. Kauffman has served ably on this commission since 2015. Dr. Kauffman’s letter of chapter support written by Immediate Past President Read More
The deadline to submit an application for the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) program is Thursday, September 15! This innovative care delivery and payment redesign model will allow selected practices to receive a monthly payment for care coordination of Medicare beneficiaries and qualifies those practices as an advanced payment model within MACRA. Start preparing your application today by using the CMS checklist and the AAFP’s step-by-step document to help guide you. The AAFP has also collaborated with Caravan Health to Read More
By: Betsy, Peerless, MD, Cincinnati, OH One of my friends, a primary care physician who works at a competing system, recently asked me if the additional time and effort required to apply for the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) program justifies the benefit for the office and the patient. The answer is unquestionably yes. CPC+ provides an excellent opportunity that will support three critical areas of practice—transformation, innovation, and preparation and practice. Transformation Primary care is suffering, millions of Read More
In partnership between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Academy Family Physicians, and Park Bench Digital, the Check it. Change it. Control it. Your Heart Depends on It app for Apple platform users was recently upgraded to conform to requirements for Apple’s HealthKit integration. Once the user upgrades or downloads the Check it: Your Blood Pressure version 1.3 app and allows access to the Health app, blood pressure readings recorded in the will be automatically shared in the Read More
On May 11, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians received the following notice from the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy (SOBP) regarding earlier announced changes to the terminal distributor of dangerous drugs (TDDD) licensure and compounding rules. “Due to recent feedback regarding the prescriber compounding rules, the SOBP staff is advising previously exempt prescriber practices to refrain from application to the SOBP as a TDDD until after the SOBP’s June 2016 meeting. As a result, rule changes will not Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking a total of 20 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis—register your team today! There are only 2 spots left! Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking a total of 20 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis—register your team today! There are only 4 spots left! Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking 12 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis—register your team today! Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn the benefits of a team-based approach to care, and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking 16 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, sovaldi March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis—register your team today! Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn the benefits of a team-based approach to care, Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking 16 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis—register your team today! Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn the benefits of a team-based approach to care, and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking 18 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis. Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn the benefits of a team-based approach to care, and the practice impact Read More
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s has been updated (effective November 2015) to reflect changes in state law pertaining to including Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) reports in the patient medical record. Historically physicians were advised that it was illegal to include the OARRS report in the patient record and that instead it should just be documented in the record that OARRS had been checked and what, if anything, had been discovered. However, Ohio law changed recently and Read More
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is seeking 19 family medicine practice teams to take part in a training session set for Saturday, March 19, to discuss the importance of effective and efficient teamwork and its impact on patients diagnosed with hypertension. Practice teams will be selected on a first come, first served basis. Participants will gain insight into the “Check it. Change it. Control it.” program, learn the benefits of a team-based approach to care, and the practice impact Read More