UMass FMCH Tuesday Talk - August 8, 2023/EDUCATION

Welcome to the FMCH Tuesday Talk. Please continue to send us your announcements, celebrations, and accomplishments to FMCHtuesdaytalk@umassmed.edu. 

Table of Contents

Focus of the Week – Education

Announcements

Department Member Recognition

Presentations and Publications

Frankly Speaking Podcast

Clinical Services Spotlight

Focus of the Week - Education

Mary Lindholm, MD and Frank Domino, MD, interim leaders

A big welcome to all of the fellows who are starting in our department this year!

Behavioral Health (Primary Care Psychology and Medical Education Fellowship)

  • Namra Arif - 2nd Year Fellow -Fitchburg
  • Allie Mann, PhD - Hahnemann

HIV Fellowship

  • Emily Min, MD
  • Possible NP @ FHCW

Hospice & Palliative Care Fellowship

  • Mark Carl Skiba, MD

Preventive Medicine Residency Program

  • Zulfau Agwedicham, MD
  • Zoe Warczak, MD

Primary Care Psychiatry Fellowship

  • Stephany Giraldo Eierle

Sports Medicine Fellowship

  • Nick Martin, MD
  • Sam Cohen, DO


Last month we welcomed our residents, but did not have a picture of our Fitchburg residents. Below are their names again and a picture! 

  • John Foley, MD
  • Rosanna Gessel Larson, MD
  • Kyle Hofer, DO
  • Srijesa Khasnabish, DO
  • Venkata "Sai Sri" Penumetcha, MD

Junior Faculty Development Program Leadership

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Reidy who will be the new Director of the longstanding Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP) at UMass Chan Medical School. Dr. Reidy will join Pranoti Mandrakar, PhD, in leading the intensive, year-long faculty development program. 

You all have probably received the following email, and we have received questions about it. Anyone organizing, presenting at, or attending a UMass CME conference (including regularly scheduled series like grand rounds) needs to enroll in the new system. All the attendance, evaluations, and CME will be in this product. 

 

This will save all of us in the long run, as the information will then be available to be uploaded to the AAFP.


UMass Chan Medical School – Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) has moved to a new Continuing Education (CE) platform called CloudCME. All Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) activities will be housed within CloudCME, this includes RSS activities (grand rounds). 

Activity attendance will also be recorded within the system. 

 

To receive credit for attending an activity, it is VERY important that you create an account (profile) in CloudCME, as well as download the APP to report/claim credit. If you do not create an account, you will NOT be receiving credit for attending activities. 

 

As of September 1, 2023, RSS attendance will no longer be housed within the clinical system’s Echo system and the use of sign-in sheets will no longer be needed nor supported with this new CloudCME platform.

 

It is very important that you know which email address is linked to your CloudCME account and profile.

 

You can create your CloudCME profile at: https://umassmedcme.cloud-cme.com

 

Directions on how to create an account can be found in the attached PDF document along with information about downloading the app, reporting attendance, and how to access your transcripts and print certificates. 

 

**Please note: If you are identified as a “faculty member” of the activity, you will receive an email

to complete a Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure, in the new system. 

As activities are entered into the system (by coordinators) you will receive an email indicating:

“{John Doe}

You have been identified as a planner or faculty member for activity {ActivityName}, ID {EventID} and are required to complete a disclosure form. Please login to the portal complete a disclosure form, also go to the applications area where you can edit the activity if needed.”


Again, it is very important that you know which email address is linked to your CloudCME account and profile. If you receive the email notification in your clinical email, create your account with your clinical email address and NOT your school account. Tasks assigned to providers are tied to the email address the coordinators indicate in the system. If you create your account with your school email, you will not see any tasks associated with your profile.  

 

Once you have created an account, you will have access to MY CME where you can:

  • Create a profile
  • Claim credit of attendance
  • Download transcripts/certificates
  • Take tests
  • Complete evaluations
  • View course syllabus (if provided)
  • View/download registrations and receipts


If you have any questions, please contact your RSS (grand rounds) coordinator, or email the Office of Continuing Medical Education at continuing.education@umassmed.edu

Ethics Corner with Philip Day, PhD.

Topic: Addressing Parental Vaccine Hesitancy


Introduction: Despite their proven safety, efficacy, and benefit, skepticism and hesitancy towards childhood immunizations has risen dramatically over the last two decades. Vaccine-hesitant parents far outnumber vaccine refusers, and family physicians remain a trusted source of information who can motivate parents to accept vaccines for themselves and/or their children.

Question 1: What is vaccine hesitancy?

Response 1: The World Health Organization defines vaccine hesitancy (VH) as “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services.” A variety of factors are at play in vaccination decision-making, but VH is generally linked to a lack of confidence, a lack of convenience, and complacency (perceived low risk of vaccine-preventable diseases).


Question 2: How do I address vaccine hesitancy?

Response 2: There are several approaches, but in general use the following strategies: start the discussion early and have it often; present vaccination as the default and presumed approach; be honest about side effects, but focus on safety and benefits to children and communities; build trust with patients; and remove as many barriers to acceptance as possible. If appropriate, utilize ethical self-disclosure and share your experiences and vaccine status with patients. Reference (1) below contains several evidence-based approaches and examples.


Summary: Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are on the rise in the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the problem (2). Patient autonomy should be respected, but the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risk and encouraging standard immunization schedules is good scientific and ethical practice.


References: 1) Shen SC, Dubey V. Addressing vaccine hesitancy: Clinical guidance for primary care physicians working with parents. Can Fam Physician. 2019;65(3):175-181. 2) Dubé È, Ward JK, Verger P, MacDonald NE. Vaccine Hesitancy, Acceptance, and Anti-Vaccination: Trends and Future Prospects for Public Health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2021;42:175-191. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102240

Announcements


Past editions of the Tuesday Talk Newsletter are available

at https://www.umassmed.edu/fmch/ under Resources.

The Center for Integrated Primary Care offers free, online training in the assessment of OUD and treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone. This content takes ~2 hours to complete and those who complete it will receive free CME. 

The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) has courses as well: 

https://www.massmed.org/Continuing-Education-and-Events/Online-CME/Pain-Management/

Boston Medical Center has 16 hours of free CME in 30-minute increments:

https://www.addictiontraining.org/training/pre-recorded/

See attached for other answers and options.


Social Determinants of Health Poster Session

Wednesday, August 23rd, 3:15-5:30pm, Faculty Conference Room,

UMass Chan Medical School. (see attached flyer for additional information)

Events: 

  • 3:15-3:45: Poster Session and Judging 
  • 3:45-3:50: Welcome by Dr. Patricia Seymour, Associate Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health, Assistant Dean of Clinical Curriculum 
  • 3:50-4:20: Keynote Address by Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu, Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor, Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Executive Director, Collaborative in Health Equity 
  • 4:20-4:30: Closing Remarks and Presentation of Awards by Dr. Susan Hogan, Assistant Professor Family Medicine and Community Health and Longitudinal Leader of Societal Forces of Health and Disease 
  • 4:30-5:30: Reception 


Hepatitis C and General Hepatology Project ECHO

(Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes)

You are invited to join an exciting virtual collaborative learning opportunity which will allow you to build expertise in the evaluation and management of patients living with chronic

Hepatitis C. (see attached brochure and curriculum schedule)

What? Hepatitis C ECHO, a virtual case-based tele-mentoring educational model

Who? Primary care interdisciplinary team members (providers, nurses, social workers, community health workers, patient navigators, etc.)

Why? Tele-mentoring model that links specialists to primary care providers (PCPs) via video conferencing from any computer; Case based, iterative learning facilitated by specialists and related experts; through guided practice, PCPs become proficient in specialty care

When? A new cohort begins Friday, September 8th, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30pm ~ with 10 sessions held bi-monthly.

Register Today!


Center for Integrated Primary Care and the Center for Integrated Medical Group Visits, will hold their 3rd annual one-day, virtual event on Friday, September 8th. “Growing Group Visits” will center around all aspects of group visits, from patients to policy, to delivering whole person care with a focus on financial and community health implications. Jon Porter, MD, and Joshua Plavin, MD, MPH, MBA, Larner College of Medicine at UVM, will provide a keynote, “Creating an integrative, effective, and financially sustainable program”. Another keynote “The Power of Group Visits” will be led by Beth Frates, MD, president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. For registration go to https://icgmv.org/2023-conference.

Scholarships provided as all are welcome.


1st Year Longitudinal Preceptors needed:

The MassAHEC Urban and Rural Health Scholars(U/RHS) program is recruiting longitudinal preceptors for incoming students. The Longitudinal Preceptor Program (LPP) goals are here. There are 7 sessions during year 1 and 6 sessions in year 2. Students apply to MassAHEC expressing their interest in primary care of underserved populations and are matched with a family medicine preceptor only (other students are matched to primary care/specialist duo). Second year residents and fellows can participate. 

Contact Linda.Cragin@umassmed.edu


Funding Opportunity: The Blue Cross Shields of MA Foundation Special Initiatives

grant program provides organizations with a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to pilot or launch a new project over a one-year period which empowers communities to advance health equity. Visit their website for more details:

https://www.bluecrossmafoundation.org/grant/special-initiatives.

Applications are due September 11th, 2023.


Pilot Project Award - Call for Applications

The UMass Chan Ambulatory Research Consortium (ARC, UMass ARC website) is a collaboration of the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health, Medicine and Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, and the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). The goal of the PBRN is to accelerate health services research and improvement science and to serve as a learning laboratory for discovery that improves the delivery and outcomes of ambulatory care.

Letters of Intent (LOI) are due on September 22nd.

We welcome submissions for pilot project awards (up to $25,000 for 1 year).


Teaching of Tomorrow (TOT) is a nationally recognized and highly acclaimed faculty development program that focuses on building and refining foundational skills for effective clinical teaching in inpatient and ambulatory settings. Preceptors from any specialty and discipline will enhance their clinical teaching skills through discourse and practice. Workshop dates are November 17-18, 2023, and March 8-9, 2024, and will be held at the Hotel Northampton. Participants must attend all four days. See the brochure for details and

register at https://umassmed.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GUbJ2w3HifJC8S.

Department Member Recognition


Congratulations to Patrick Tolosky, PGY3 resident at Hahnemann for receiving the prestigious AAFP Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education. He is one of only 12 residents (and the only one in the Northeast!) honored for their outstanding leadership, civic involvement, exemplary patient care, and aptitude for and interest in family medicine. Dr. Tolosky was nominated by Ron Adler and Ginny Van Duyne. With this award comes a scholarship and support to attend the 2023 Family Medicine Experience in Chicago, IL. 

Presentations and Publications


Our Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship director, Sunita Puri, MD, recently had this wonderful thought-provoking piece published in the New Yorker. 

Congratulations, Dr. Puri.

The hidden harms of CPR, The New Yorker, Aug 2023.

Frankly Speaking Podcast


A weekly Podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frankly-speaking-about-family-medicine/id1194659367.


Please join us for an overview: Depression and anxiety rates are escalating, with a 36% increase in suicide cases between 2018 and 2021, as reported by the CDC. This distressing trend can be attributed to various significant stressors that have arisen in recent times, such as pandemic-related illness and isolation. Medications alone are not as effective as when other modalities are incorporated into the treatment regime. Recent meta-analysis has revealed a strong correlation between engaging in physical activity and reducing suicidal ideation across all levels. Listen in as we discuss these findings and explore practical strategies for their implementation in your clinical practice. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, presents: "Get Up, Move, and Feel Better: Exploring Physical Activity's Link to Reduced Suicidal Ideation" - Frankly Speaking Ep 340.

Clinical Services Spotlight:

Josephine Fowler, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Clinical Services

Massachusetts and Telehealth - Permanent

  • Telehealth is permanent in MA. ( Please see the attached document)


COVID-19 UMMMC

  • The 7-day average percent positivity is 16.8%.
  • In House confirmed positive cases 21, up from 14 last week.
  • Of the 21, 81% are fully vaccinated. 


COVID-19 MA

  • There were 1082 new confirmed cases in the last 7 days. 
  • The 7-day average of percent positivity is 7. 76%.
  • There were 8 new reported deaths.


Help your MassHealth patients keep their coverage.

MassHealth is providing resources that physicians and other providers can display in their offices to encourage members to contact MassHealth as soon as possible if they have lost coverage. This is particularly important if the coverage loss occurred within the prior 90 days, as they may be able to resume MassHealth without a gap in coverage.

 

The poster and letter-sized material read (in multiple languages): "We can help you find affordable health coverage options. Call MassHealth today at (800) 841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711".

 

Be a part of this important effort! Download and print the poster and the letter-sized 

materials for your office and your patients today. 

 

Source: MMS News to providers

Wellness Resources


The Caring for the Caregiver Program provides resources such as the Caregiver Support Line (508-334-HELP) and The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which offers a variety of services and supports (including virtual peer support and wellness tips. EAP can be accessed at 866-263-3525, or www.LiveandWorkWell.com, [company code: UmassMemorial]. 

More information is available on the Caring for the Caregiver page.

Yoga Classes with Dr. Liz Erban



New members always welcome. 

Please join for early morning gentle yoga, Wednesday mornings 6:30am via Zoom.

Much appreciation to Dr. Liz Erban for hosting these outstanding classes. 

Join Zoom Meeting ID: 923 9393 3653 Passcode: 764113

https://umassmemorial-org.zoom.us/j/92393933653?pwd=RW9TL3FhZGtLUVZBa09oMWhIQzZDUT09