First and foremost, the Chicago Medical Society leadership thanks those working tirelessly on the frontlines fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We know these are adverse times, personally, professionally and economically.
We are here for you and all physicians, ensuring that you can care for patients during the pandemic and then return to financially sustainable practice. Here's a look at both where we've been, and where we are headed next:
Where we've been:
- Achieved tort immunity for physicians through an executive order from Governor Pritzker
- Mobilization of retired physicians and easing of licensure reinstatement
- Called for the utilization of International Medical Graduates living in Illinois
- Launched and expanding a convalescent plasma therapy effort and partnering with academic medical centers to speed access for all patients in the region
- Communicating your professional needs and concerns to elected leaders and policymakers
- Regular electronic alerts and social media updates in addition to articles in Chicago Medicine Magazine, a print publication
- Providing education via our partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine’s ECHO Program
- Media campaigns to highlight safety issues
- Equal payment for telehealth visits in lieu of in-person appointments
Where we're headed next:
- Finalizing partnerships that will offer new technologies at low or no cost to members that have become vital in this evolving pandemic
- Workforce survey to evaluate the evolving challenges for our physicians and identify the best support mechanisms we can provide
- Polling physicians on the adequacy of personal protective equipment
- Physician wellness program to support frontline physicians dealing with stress and burnout
- Fighting inappropriate scope expansions by mid-level providers who want to practice independently
While you work tirelessly to protect your patients, your practice, and community, we pledge to remain by your side and support your efforts in every way we can.
