You're invited to the most anticipated event of the year for Colorado physicians: the 2018 Colorado Medical Society Annual Meeting, Sept. 14-15 at the Vail Marriott in Vail, Colo. Click here to register.

Attendees can experience:

• Wonderful food and drinks, especially at two fabulous receptions and the formal President's Gala.
• Informative panel discussions and worthwhile workshops on the hottest topics in medicine led by an impressive slate of state and national speakers.
• A lively COMPAC lunch with special legislative guests.
• Special public policy training for medical students.

New this year, the conference will conclude with Saturday night's presidential gala, giving attendees and their guests more time to explore beautiful Vail, a top Rocky Mountain destination, on Sunday. In addition to the hiking, biking and viewing of fall colors attendees know they will enjoy, Vail Oktoberfest - with Bavarian beer, music and dancing, traditional fare, yodeling and alpenhorn blowing - will be held in Vail Village Sept. 14-16, and the Vail Farmers' Market and Art Show will be held Sept. 16.

We hope you and your family will make plans to join us in this idyllic mountain retreat. As always, there is no registration fee for members and we have secured discounted group pricing on lodging at the hotel.

Click here for more information and to register.

As of Monday, May 21, Colorado physicians must limit an initial opioid prescription for some patients, and, for those patients, conduct a screening on the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database (PDMP) on the first refill to reduce the risk of drug-seeking behavior for nonclinical use or abuse.  This law is effective immediately and you may  need to change your practice habits immediately to stay within the bounds of this law.

• Has chronic pain that typically lasts longer than 90 days or past the time of normal healing, as determined by the prescriber, or following transfer of care from another prescriber who prescribed an opioid to the patient;
• Has been diagnosed with cancer and is experiencing cancer related pain; or
• Is experiencing post-surgical pain, that, because of the nature of the procedure, is expected to last more than 14 days.

The Colorado Medical Society Office of General Counsel developed a summary and initial FAQ of the new law -- which was referred to in the 2018 Colorado General Assembly as Senate Bill 18-022 -- to help you understand the new law and its requirements. Access this FAQ resource and see a summary graphic here. CMS encourages you to share these resources with all those who will be affected by the new law.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has also released information on the new law. Access DORA's summary here.

The Colorado Medical Society will hold our annual leadership election Aug. 1-31, 2018. Running for CMS president-elect is David Markenson, MD; and running for CMS delegate to the American Medical Association (two positions open) are Katie Lozano, MD, FACR, and Lee Morgan, MD.

We will soon post the candidates' profiles, CVs and personal statements on the CMS website.

All CMS members are eligible to vote for CMS officers via electronic ballot. Read more about voting and the candidates in the July/August issue of Colorado Medicine. You will receive your ballot by email. Are CMS e-communications coming to your preferred email address? Email membership@cms.org with any contact information changes.

Every day in their treatment rooms, physicians encounter individuals who are making profound sacrifices to help a loved one who is seriously ill, often at the expense of their own well-being. To help physicians understand the day-to-day challenges and risk of burnout faced by informal caregivers, the American Medical Association has published Caring for the Caregiver: A Guide for Physicians.

As more people live longer and become sick, frail or disabled from chronic diseases, their care is often shouldered by relatives, partners, friends and neighbors. Caring for a loved one can be meaningful and rewarding, but this immense responsibility can take a toll. Caregiver burnout occurs when individuals feel overwhelmed and alone, physically exhausted and emotionally fatigued.

"The AMA recognizes that assisting a loved one who needs help with medical and personal tasks can be a daunting job, leaving the caregiver physically exhausted and emotionally drained," said AMA President David O. Barbe, M.D., M.H.A. "The new AMA guide provides an important resource to help physicians support and guide caregivers to do their best to cater to their loved ones, while being responsible for their own health too."

Access the guide here.