IAFP Logo
IAFP News Bites
April 15, 2020
For the next several weeks, we will be sending out IAFP New Bites every Wednesday. The weekly e-news will increase our ability to provide you COVID-19 updates in one central location.
COVID-19 Resources
With the global spread of COVID-19,  IAFP wishes to provide members with the most accurate information as the Coronavirus situation evolves and wishes to direct members to four primary resources: 

  CDC's Coronavirus Center for Healthcare Professionals: Updated daily. Direct access to interim guidance on key issues, extensive health resources, etc.

  AAFP's Coronavirus Center: As more is being learned about the coronavirus infection, the AAFP has a team that is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and posting all relevant updates on its  dedicated COVID-19 resource . There is a lot of evolving, and sometimes inaccurate, information about the situation, so members can be confident that this page contains the most recent information they need that is aligned with the CDC and focused squarely on family medicine.

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH:  Provides a variety of resources for physicians, patients and the public.

We are also continually  adding links to resources and information to our IAFP COVID-19 website  that we think will benefit our members. 

Join the New IAFP Member COVID-19 Facebook Community
The IAFP has created a private Facebook community group for Iowa Academy of Family Physicians members. The purpose of this group is to provide Iowa family physicians a place to connect and share ideas and information regarding COVID-19. You can request to join the private group HERE.
CARES Act Update
On April 10, HHS announced the immediate disbursement of the first $30 billion of the $100 billion that Congress allocated to hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The distribution policy reflects recommendations that the AAFP and other medical societies made to the administration.

Daily COVID-19 Updates from
 IAFP Lobbyist 
IAFP Lobbyist, David Adelman, from Cornerstone Government Affairs, is providing state and national COVID-19 updates daily.  These can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the IAFP COVID-19 website.
AAFP to Hold Weekly
 Town Hall  on COVID-19 on Wednesdays
AAFP will be holding a weekly town hall
every Wednesday night from 7:00- 8:00 pm to provide updates on COVID-19. CME is available for participating. Tonight the webinar will answer questions about COVID-19 practice issues.

You can join the Town Hall via the links below:
 
 
 
Twitter:  twitter.com/aafp

AAFP to Offer Free COVID-19 Live Webinar Update with CME on Fridays
AAFP has put together a Live CME credit webinar series that will take place each Friday night at  7:00 pm central on the COVID-19 crisis.  This week the topic is "Managing the COVID-19 Crisis: Maintaining the emotional health of you, your team, and your patients."

The sessions are  completely free  and involve a presentation with extensive learner driven Q&A with follow-up on the learning community. Each week they will address clinical issues that they hope will help learners tackle this crisis. More information can be found at the link below
AAFP Advocacy Resources 
The AAFP has developed a website dedicated solely to advocacy issues related to COVID-19. You will find information on the CARES Act, answers to telehealth questions, and updates on the latest AAFP advocacy efforts to support family physicians. CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Palliative Medicine in 
COVID-19 Patients  
 A message from IAFP Board Chair, James Bell, M.D., St. Luke's Palliative Care Medical Director

Dear colleagues,
There are many ways Iowa family physicians may be called on to support our patients and the public in the midst of the pandemic crisis.  Information is overwhelming, coming from multiple sources, and seems to be ever changing.  We at the IAFP want to be responsive to the needs of our membership but not just part of the information overload.  I practice palliative medicine and have access to resources for conversations and symptom management at end of life for patients with Covid-19. 

Click HERE for links on some specific topics of interest.   Please reach out to me personally at the email address below if I can provide assistance or answer any questions. 
Sincerely, Jim Bell, MD
IAFP Board Chair
Registration Open for IMS 
Physician Wellness Webinars
The Iowa Medical Society, in conjunction with the Iowa Pharmacy Association, is hosting a series of provider wellness webinars. This three-part series is designed to meet varying needs of physicians, pharmacists, and other clinicians regardless of how the pandemic is impacting their personal and professional lives. These webinars will be facilitated by Tammy Rogers, founder of Aveea Partners and past facilitator of the IMS/IPA Provider Burnout Regional Series.

Upcoming Webinars
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21; 7:00-8:00 pm
Target Audience: Providers Involved in the Testing & Treatment of COVID-19 Patients  
  • Preparing for the Unthinkable
  • Managing Yourself Under Extreme Stress
Date & Time: Thursday, April 23; 12:00-1:00 pm
Target Audience: All Providers Regardless of Current Practice Situation
  • Practicing Self Care
  • Identifying What to Do to Stay Sane
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 29th, Noon - 1 pm
Target Audience: Providers Experiencing a Reduction in Services or Temporary Clinic Closure
  • Discovering How You Make a Difference
  • Learning to Serve in a New Way
Iowa Academy of Family Physicians | 515-283-9370 | m ail@iaafp.org | w ww.iaafp.org
Pam Williams, Executive Vice President, pwilliams@iaafp.org
Katie Cox, Deputy  Executive Vice President , kcox@iaafp.org
Kelly Scallon, Director of Education and Advocacy, kscallon@iaafp.org
STAY CONNECTED: