They Said It...
"I love Philadelphia and it's the perfect city for the College (of Physicians) because Philadelphia is the birthplace of American medicine, the first college, the first medical school, as well as the home to many specialties and societies. There are many firsts from a historical perspective, but there are also a lot of firsts from today: mRNA vaccines, cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy. All of that happened in Philadelphia and continues to happen in Philadelphia. We are telling those stories to not only inspire young people to careers in science and health care but also to inspire patients and provide hope." Dr. Mira Irons, President and CEO of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. You can read more about her story and hopes for the College in our Summer 2022 edition of Philadelphia Medicine magazine.
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Since the US Supreme Court decision on Dobbs this summer, this decision has put medical providers in a precarious position. Are you as a physician, resident, or medical student concerned about legislation interfering with your ability to provide care?
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Things you should know... |
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Recommendations Regarding the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine |
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health released the following health advisory on September 14:
CDC Guidance released on September 1, 2022 recommends that patients 12 and older who received the primary series of any of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines should receive a booster dose of a mRNA bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. The mRNA bivalent booster dose should occur at least 2 months after the last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The bivalent Pfizer BioNTech booster is approved for patients aged 12 years and older and the bivalent Moderna booster is approved for patients aged 18 years and older.
The mRNA bivalent vaccines are only available for booster vaccinations. The original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine must be used for the primary series. The original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine can no longer be used for booster doses except for children aged 5-11 who are not eligible for the booster dose of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. Since there are now multiple formulations of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines it will be extremely important for vaccine providers to make sure that the correct vaccine is given to each patient.
Reminder- the CDC definition of “up to date” with COVID-19 vaccine is someone who has completed their primary vaccine series and received the most recent COVID-19 booster vaccine recommended for them by the CDC. It is highly recommended that patients also receive their Influenza vaccine this fall and can receive both the COVID-19 bivalent booster and the influenza vaccine during the same visit. If you have any questions, please call PA DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).
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COVID Guidelines update from PDPH |
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The Philadelphia Health Dept. currently recommends masking in indoor public spaces, and urges everyone to get the COVID vaccine. People aged 5 and up are encouraged to get vaccine boosters for better protection against the omicron BA.5 variant
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Nearly 60 children lost to abuse last year |
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In releasing its annual Child Protective Services Report this week, the state Department of Human Services is again reminding all Pennsylvanians to report potential child abuse or neglect to ChildLine. The 24/7 hotline available to anyone concerned for the safety or well-being of a child can be reached by calling 1-800-932-0313.
While the report reveals a decline in child abuse deaths from 73 in 2020 to 58 in 2021, the lives lost last year exceeds the number reported in any other year in the last decade. Also concerning is the increase in “near fatalities” from abuse. In 2020, there were 115 near fatalities, and last year that number increased to 136.
Everyone can play a role in protecting children from abuse. Be on the lookout for signs of potential abuse or neglect, such as numerous and/or unexplained injuries or bruises; chronic, pronounced anxiety and expressed feelings of inadequacy; flinching or an avoidance to being touched; poor impulse control; demonstrating abusive behavior or talk; cruelty to animals or others; or fear of parent or caregiver, among others.
Learn more about the signs of child abuse, visit keepkidssafe.pa.gov. To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
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Key dates for the upcoming election |
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The 2022 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters will have the opportunity to elect the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor, members of the U.S. House and Senate, and state House and state Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 24. You may register in person at your county elections office or by mail, or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 1, by 5 p.m. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit vote.pa.gov.
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Public comment period for AMA Guides – Nervous system chapter updates |
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A proposal to update the nervous system chapter of the AMA Guides is being considered by the AMA Guides Editorial Panel for adoption, with an effective date of January 1, 2023. Proposals build upon the update to the sixth edition issued in 2022.
Interested parties and organizations who utilize the AMA Guides are invited to participate in the process to comment on the proposed changes to the medicine and impairment ratings. The AMA Guides Editorial Panel will consider all available information and comments prior to adopting these changes as part of AMA Guides Sixth 2023.
The public comment period is Sept. 5 - Oct. 3, 2022. The deadline to request a copy of the proposal is Thursday, September 29, 2022.
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CONTRACT CORNER BRIEFS
by Karen E. Davidson, Esquire
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FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
Building on our last Contract Corner Brief, another of the 4-pillars of physician employment contracts is term/termination. These provisions address how long a contract will be in place (e.g., whether it will expire or automatically renew) and the circumstances (whether with or without “cause”) under which a party may terminate. So, while a contract may have a 2 or 3-year “term,” the parties often have a right to terminate “without cause” (i.e., for any reason or no reason) upon much shorter advance notice (e.g., between 30 to 180 days) before the “term” ends.
Short without cause time periods (e.g., 30 or 60 days) can be a disadvantage because the physician may find her/himself scrambling to find another position. On the other extreme, extended without-cause termination periods (e.g., 180 days) can be a burden if a physician is looking to leave and start a new position because a new employer may not want to wait so long for a start date. The sweet spot seems to be in the 90 to 120 day range.
Given all the considerations, term/termination provisions should be closely analyzed and tailored to address each physician’s needs. Point of negotiation – if a physician is moving to a new locale, it may make sense to limit the employer’s ability to terminate the contract “without cause” for some period of time (e.g., 1 - 2 years) which can provide the physician some certainty. That said, since such provisions are usually mutual, the physician would need to be comfortable with a similar limitation.
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Wait! I need a S.E.C. (Sympathy, Empathy, Compassion) - Addressing Patient Needs
Date: Tuesday, September 27
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Please join us for a discussion on the difference between sympathy, empathy, and compassion and how this might impact the ability to provide quality healthcare to patients. Learn to recognize how demonstrating empathy and compassion impacts and influences patient retention, attrition, and trust. Presented by Dr. Kathleen E. Walls, owner and founder of the G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T. Counseling & Consulting. This virtual program is free and will be held as a Zoom video conference.
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Mental Health and Wellness in the LatinX Community
Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 9 am - 2:30 pm
Temple Health and SILAMP (Society of Ibero Latin American Medical Professionals) invite you to participate in this free educational program. CME credit is available.
Topics to be discussed:
- Burnout in Health Professionals and Patients / Compassion Fatigue Suffered by Healthcare Workers
- Challenges in Mental Health and Wellness in the Philadelphia LatinX Community
- Adversity and Achievements in Promoting Wellness in the LatinX Community
- Am I Overwhelmed or Distracted, or Do I have ADHD? Tools to Help Take Control
Program to be held via Zoom
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HIV Medical Management – Clinical and Didactic Training Experience for HIV Care
Date: Monday, October 17 and Tuesday, October 18 (To be followed by a third day of clinical observation)
This free course is designed to enable those clinicians who are not currently providing HIV care to do so and is also beneficial to those who wish to update themselves with more in-depth knowledge.
On the first two days, expert presenters discuss cutting-edge HIV topics such as HIV testing, HIV medications, Hepatitis C, nPEP/PrEP, HIV legal issues and psychosocial issues such as gender affirming care, trauma and adherence. On day three, you will observe faculty and other clinicians providing HIV care in a busy HIV clinic.
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