Summer has passed and fall is here. Sometimes I can’t believe how quickly time flies. Change happens fast (and all the time) in our lives and careers. This past July, residents and fellows advanced another year in knowledge and experience, and new interns were welcomed into the Pennsylvania family of medicine. As we all adjust to a new year in training, I wanted to inform you of some of the changes made by your colleagues in organized medicine.
Learn Leadership Skills
A free CME program from the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) will address why and how physicians must engage in the era of change. Held in conjunction with the PAMED annual meeting, the program will run from 3 to 6 PM on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Find out more and register on the PAMED website.
Drive the Change
If you want to be part of the process that creates change for you and your patients, I urge you to attend the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) House of Delegates meeting in Hershey, Oct. 22-24. As a member, you can express your opinion on the resolutions up for debate, or even create one of your own. The Resident & Fellow Section (RFS) will have its preliminary meeting (complete with free dinner) the evening of Friday, October 22, at which time you will have the opportunity to run for the PAMED-RFS Governing Council and be a leader among your peers in the state. Contact Melissa Anderson at (800) 228-7823, ext. 2625 if you’re interested.
AMA-RFS
This past June, hundreds of residents and fellows gathered in Chicago for the AMA-Resident & Fellow Section Annual Meeting. A significant effort was made to address proposals from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) regarding duty hour restrictions, attempting to balance the requirements of professional education with patient safety concerns. Resolutions were also passed to:
- Reduce health access inequalities for same-sex couples
- Study the effect of classifying residents/fellows as employees vs. students in regard to FICA taxes and benefits
- Help connect doctors-in-training across state lines.
Interestingly, one resolution called for protected days off during residency to participate in organized medicine. Though this may be difficult to achieve, it is nonetheless important to communicate to program directors the importance of advocating for patients beyond the bedside.
If you wish to get involved, or to ensure that your leadership represents your interests, do not hesitate to contact me.
John Vasudevan, MD
Chair, PAMED-RFS
PGY-4, Rehabilitation Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Important links:
PAMED HOD Information: http://www.pamedsoc.org/MainMenuCategories/Resources/LeadershipGroups/OfficialCall.aspx
HOD Hotel Information: http://www.pamedsoc.org/MainMenuCategories/Resources/LeadershipGroups/Room-reservation.aspx
PAMED Membership Information: http://www.pamedsoc.org/MainMenuCategories/Resources/Membership.aspx