November 22, 2022

NEED TO KNOW

VMS Board Adopts New Policy Positions

The VMS Board met last Wednesday and, along with other business, discussed and adopted three policy statements. The final policy positions are:

Each of these three resolutions will inform VMS’ advocacy this legislative session, supporting work to adopt a “shield law” to protect clinicians who provide abortion or gender affirmative care services; updating Vermont’s statues on insurance coverage for cancer screenings; and updating Vermont’s Workers’ Compensation fee schedule. Thank you to the VMS members who responded to the member survey providing input on the proposed policies and to those who joined for the Board meeting discussion. VMS members can submit resolution ideas at any time for review by the VMS Board. Further information on submitting topics can be found here.

Applications Still Open for 2023 VMS ERF Leadership Course – A Few Spots Remaining!

The Vermont Medical Society Education & Research Foundation is open for enrollment for a 4th statewide Physician Executive Leadership Institute Foundational Course beginning in January 2023.

This course is offered in partnership with the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Lumunos and is supported by funding from the Physicians Foundation. Perhaps more than ever before physicians and PAs are being asked to step up and skillfully lead rapid change. Every clinician is being called upon to bring their leadership and management styles and skills to the forefront to ensure the best outcomes for Vermont patients. VMSERF is pleased to continue to offer an experiential learning opportunity that will enhance and fine-tune leadership skills and concepts for a statewide cohort of Vermont physicians and PAs.

The course will run from January through November 2023.  It is aimed at individuals with 5 or more years of clinical experience but minimal formal leadership training, with a goal of enrolling 15-20 physicians and PAs from across Vermont. To apply, submit a CV and brief description of interest to swinters@vtmd.org.  Rolling applications now being accepted through December 9th (new extended deadline). View the full 2023 brochure, schedule and application information here.

Increased Respiratory Viral Activity, Especially Among Children, Straining Vermont Health Care Systems

On November 4, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about early, elevated respiratory disease incidence caused by multiple viruses occurring especially among children. In New England and Vermont, significantly increased activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), along with co-circulation of influenza virus, rhinovirus and other respiratory viruses, is causing a high incidence of pediatric respiratory illness. This surge of illness is straining health care systems across the region, causing bed shortages, delayed elective procedures, and long wait times for medical care.  This is especially concerning as community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus—both currently at low levels in Vermont—is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Read more here.

MISC.


Reminder: Vermont Medicaid (DVHA) Proposed Changes to Prior Authorization


The Department of Vermont Health Access, Vermont Medicaid, is proposing a number of changes to prior authorizations in order to implement recommendations from a legislative report “Clinical Prior Authorization Requirements in the Vermont Medicaid Program: Findings and Recommendations.”  These changes will impact Durable Medical Equipment/Supplies/Prosthetics; Pediatric Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy; Out of Network Elective In-Patient Admissions; and Chiropractic Services.  See a further summary and description in the Nov. 8th Edition of the VMS Rounds herePlease reach out to Jessa Barnard at VMS as jbarnard@vtmd.org by November 28th with questions or concerns so that these can be submitted to DVHA. 

    Next VMS Public Health Update with the Commissioner of Health, Mark Levine, M.D. is December 1st at 12:30pm EST

    The next time we will speak with the Commissioner of Health will be December 1st where he will provide us with the most pressing information affecting the state and nation. You will have the opportunity to submit questions to Dr. Levine who will answer them, time-permitting. Notes from the call with the Commissioner held last Thursday, Nov. 17th can be found here.

    You can join the zoom meetings here which take place on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:30pm to 1pm EST or add to your calendar by following this link and clicking download (you will then need to open the downloaded file and click save to add to your calendar).

     

    EVENTS

    Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees: Tuberculosis

    Thursday, December 1, 2022

    11:30am to 12:30pm EST

    Learning objectives of this free webinar:

    • Describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Ukraine.
    • Review LTBI and TB disease workup and management.
    • Identify two to three tuberculosis-related technical assistance resources

    Register here.

    Emergency Medicine Update

    January 22 - 25, 2023

    In-Person - Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, VT

     

    This course will discuss a variety of timely, practical issues that are encountered in the emergency department on a daily basis. Lectures will be engaging, sometimes controversial, and present the audience with examples of both successes and failures in emergency medicine. At the end of this program, participants should be able to distinguish between advancement and change in the emergency department in a relaxed, family-oriented environment where learning does equal fun!


    All emergency medicine professionals are welcome.


    For more information about the speakers, sessions, accreditation and to register please visit: https://go.uvm.edu/stoweem23

    Hospital Medicine 2023

    January 29 - 31, 2023

    In-Person - Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, VT


    This course will provide practical approaches to common problems in hospital medicine informed by experts and the latest evidence. Target audience: physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses practicing Hospital Medicine. Also open to program administrators, resident physicians, and medical students with an interest in careers in Hospital Medicine. Topics will include: Curbing the Opioid Crisis, Pharmacy Pearls, Long COVID, Biliary Disease, End of Life Care in the Hospital. Optional workshop: POCUS

    For more information about the speakers, sessions, accreditation and to register please visit: https://go.uvm.edu/hm2023

    Eastern Winter Dermatology Conference

    February 2 - 5, 2023

    In-person - Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Stowe, VT


    The 34th Annual Eastern Winter Dermatology conference is designed to provide high-level continuing education for dermatologists and medical professionals specializing in dermatology, keeping them abreast of new and exciting findings in basic science, clinical dermatology and dermatologic therapy. Primary care physicians and medical professionals with a special interest in dermatology are also welcome to attend. Topics will include: Acne & rosacea update, innovations in connective tissue disease management, diagnosis of early CTCL, hidradenitis suppurativa, pediatric psoriasis issues, professional development - “how to say no,” erythema migrans pearls, management of high risk skin cancer, medical pearls from the literature and more!

    For more information about the speakers, sessions, accreditation and to register please visit: go.uvm.edu/winterderm23

    Eastern Winter Dermatology Conferen2023 Epilepsy & EEG in Clinical Practice

    February 10, 2023

    In-person - Main Street Landing, Burlington, VT

    Held in Burlington for the first time, the 2023 Epilepsy & EEG course will focus on providing a review of current medical and surgical clinical practices related to seizures and conjunction with adjunctive EEG testing and will address errors that may lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment. An interactive and didactic format that includes multimedia presentations and allows for audience participation. Target audience: internists, family practice and general practice physicians, pediatricians, neurologists, physician assistants, nurses, allied health professionals and residents involved in the care of patients with seizures and epilepsy are encouraged to attend.

    Note: This is being held in conjunction with the EAEEG Annual Meeting. There is a discount for attending both events.

    For more information about the speakers, sessions, accreditation and to register please visit: https://go.uvm.edu/epilepsy23

    More conferences from UVM CMIE are expected this Spring to include these topics: Anesthesia, Cardiovascular/Vascular Disease, Geriatrics and Family Medicine. Sign-up to get updates via email for topics that are of interest here

    VTMD.ORG

    Vermont Medical Society

    134 Main Street

    Montpelier, VT 05602

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