Mississippi Academy of
Family Physicians Newsletter
October 21, 2017


Upcoming Events

MAFP Board Meeting
December 8-9
Indianola, MS

MAFP Capitol Day
March 7, 2018
Mississippi State Capitol, Jackson

MAFP Spring Conference and 
Spring Fling
April 20-22, 2018
Jackson


Recent MAFP Newsletters


Welcome
New Members

Jana L. Ebert, DO
Louisville, MS

Don A. Gibson, MD
Brandon, MS

Curtis R. Glidewell, MD
New Albany, MS

Dominika A. Jegen, MD
Water Valley, MS

Resident
Moses Braimoh, MD
UMMC

WCUCOM Student
Shea Qarqish

UMMC Students
Joanna Boyles
Darin K. Busby
Tyler Crosswhite
Morgan Davis
Taylor Harvey
Caleb Martin
Laura Martin
Ashton Nicholson
Avani Patel
William Ross
Eric Wilkerson II

Keep up with us on
Social Media


Miss. Academy of Family Physicians


@MSFamilyDocs


MSAFP
 

GETU1 and promote healthy living in the state of Mississippi by purchasing a Live Healthy specialty license tag for the small fee of $31.
 
Request this tag at your county tax collector's office when you renew your license tag. Proceeds from the sale of this tag benefit the Mississippi Academy of  Family Physicians Foundation.

 

MAFP Responds to State Board of Medical Licensure Proposed Opioid Regs
MAFP sought input from member physicians on proposed opioid prescribing regulations put out recently by the MSBML, which seek to change physicians' prescribing authority when it comes to certain types of drugs. We received as many responses on this issue as any concern in the past dozen years.  Some physicians asked for clarification of the regulation requiring each clinic to be a designated pain clinic if 30% or more of their patients are on certain medications.
 
"Some of the pain clinics in our area have a 7-month waiting list," said one physician. "The alternative to this would be our clinic becoming a pain clinic, which is not something we wish or are willing to do."
 
Many physicians say they are concerned about patients in nursing homes and hospice situations, who would be subjected to mandatory drug testing before each prescription refill if the regulations are enacted. "[It] will produce undue physical and financial stress on the elderly, their families and the nursing institutions," said one physician.
 
Some physicians responded that the new Centers for Disease Control prescribing guidelines for opioids are backed by scientific evidence and worthy of consideration by the MSBML. One physician said of the CDC guidelines, "I think the scientific application of evidence-based medicine would be much safer for the citizens of Mississippi than a proposed set of regulations, albeit well-intentioned, that would have a high likelihood of unforeseen adverse consequences."
 
 
Your leadership has spent time this week speaking to individual MSBML board members to discuss issues and the unintended consequences of these regulations. We will continue to share our concerns. 

MAFP President Requests to Speak at MSBML Public Hearing on 11/15
The proposed regulations will be discussed at a State Board of Medical Licensure public hearing Wednesday, Nov. 15, in advance of the MSBML's official meeting the next day. Licensees are allowed to speak to the Board as long as they request to be on the agenda at least one business day in advance. The MAFP has sent a request for Dr. Katie Patterson, MAFP President, to speak and we invite others to request to be on the agenda or take the time to come to the Public Hearing Nov. 15 at 1 pm, at 1867 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite 200B, off Lakeland Drive in Jackson.

"This will be a good opportunity to discuss  our concerns with physicians on the MSBML and let them know the perspective of primary care physicians," said MAFP President Dr. Katherine Patterson of Indianola.

Sign Up NOW, 
Before Spots are Gone, 
to be Doctor of the Day at the Capitol
Sign up now to serve as Doctor of the Day during the Mississippi Legislative Session (January to March), to represent family medicine and see state government in action while performing a needed service to those at the State Capitol. You must be a MSMA member, since they sponsor/fund the program. Get all the details here. Our MAFP Capitol Day is March 7, and we would encourage you to sign up for that week, so the entire week would be filled with our family physicians.
Thinking About End-of-Year Giving? 
Remember MAFP Foundation
It's that time of year! In the spirit of the season, our thoughts turn to choosing gifts for those we know and love. If you're trying to think of the perfect gift for someone who "has everything," how about giving a donation in their honor to the MAFP Foundation? All gifts are tax-deductible and your gift will provide resources to enhance family medical education and training in Mississippi.

To make gift-giving even easier, MAFP Foundation also offers Memorial/Honorary Gift Cards (pictured) with a minimum donation of $100. When you donate, a package of 10 unsigned tribute cards and blank envelopes will be sent to you. You can then mail them out to notify friends that a donation was given in their honor or in memory of their loved one. Give now!
MAFP Golf Shirts Make Thoughtful Holiday Gifts - Only $45



Forget a tin of popcorn or a bottle of wine. MAFP logo golf shirts make a perfect gift for your staff or the fellow physicians in your practice!  These Nike Dri-Fit shirts are available for $45 each, in women's and men's styles. They are in stock at the MAFP office; we can take credit cards over the phone and ship them out to you. Order yours today !
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Information From Magnolia Health
Magnolia Health has announced the Synagis Authorization Guidelines for the 2017-2018 season, for treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). These guidelines have been developed based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Prior authorization criteria and FAX forms are available by clicking the link above.


AAFP Launches 
Physician Health First Site
Recognizing the problem of physician well-being, AAFP has launched the Physician Health First Initiative, dedicated to teaching physicians self-care. The area of the site features videos, resources for recognizing and dealing with job satisfaction levels, and physicians can take the Maslach Burnout Inventory test. AAFP has also announced its first-ever Family Physician Health & Well-Being Conference, to be held April 18-21 in Naples, Florida.

Referral to Specialist Letter 
Now Available for Member Use
Have you ever felt out of the loop after referring a patient to a specialist? Have you sent a patient to a specialist, only to have them actually see a PA or NP?  In response to requests from family physicians, the MAFP Board has authorized the use of a letter that clarifies a family physician's expectations to the specialist. Feel free to use the letter in your practice. If you have questions, contact Beth Embry.