Week in Review: March 23-27

To support members during the coronavirus outbreak, AAHPM’s advocacy efforts are focused on advancing policies that will remove barriers to timely, safe patient care and protect clinicians on the front lines of the epidemic.

  • In a letter to Senate leaders, AAHPM called on Congress to allow telehealth for hospice face-to-face visits during this public health emergency.
  • At AAHPM’s request, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) echoed this ask in a letter calling on the Administration to provide needed response tools, telehealth flexibilities, and other supports for physicians.
  • AAHPM also joined the AMA, nearly 100 medical specialty societies, and every state medical society to send a letter to congressional leadership asking that financial support for physician practices be included in any economic stimulus package.
  • The Academy is tracking H.R. 748, the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, which has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House.
  • AAHPM and its CMSS partners released a statement urging the Administration to follow science-based recommendations when determining restrictions, such as social distancing, needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Keep up to date via AAHPM Connect and review resources to support your practice on AAHPM’s COVID-19 webpage.

Submit an article to the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, which is fast tracking those that describe palliative care in COVID-19 preparation and response, with an emphasis on lessons, insights, or recommendations that would be of immediate value to the field.

The American Board of Medical Specialties remains committed to supporting diplomates and trainees as they work on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board recently issued this statement of support.

We know a lot of work went into creating the educational content for the 2020 Annual Assembly and State of the Science. Plans are underway to provide opportunities to virtually share that content. FYI, Annual Assembly abstracts were published in the February Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and State of the Science abstracts will be published in the July issue.

AAHPM hosted a call for HPM Fellowship Program Directors this week to hear from ACGME IM and FM RRCs, ABIM, ABFM, ABP, and AAHPM regarding changes in graduation and board eligibility, program requirements, and HPM COVID-19 resources. The call was recorded and will be available on the HPM Fellowship Program Directors SIG Connect page the week of March 30.

The AAHPM Leadership and Career Development Committee members updated an essential resource for hospice and palliative medicine leaders, the AAHPM Leadership and Career Development Resource Guide. It includes helpful reading materials organized by career stage, a listing of leadership assessments, and additional resources to help leaders grow no matter where they are in their journey.

Consider supporting the Academy and honoring AAHPM’s outgoing CEO Steve Smith for his years of leadership, guidance, and friendship. If you donate $25 or more to any AAHPM fund, you will receive a pair of Steve Socks. Visit aahpm.org/donate or call 847-375-4712 to make your gift today. Thank you for your generous support.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Critical Care for the Non-ICU Clinician provides free online education to healthcare professionals who could benefit from critical care training.

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