BiotechMashup

(American College of Physicians) The increase in the number of US medical students choosing internal medicine residencies in 2011 is a positive sign toward easing the primary care workforce shortage, according to the American College of Physicians, the nation's second-largest doctors group.

Medical schools and clinics could boost the number of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas by selecting and encouraging students from these communities, who often exhibit a strong sense of responsibility for and identification with the people there, according to a new study. In addition, training these students in underserved settings during medical school and their residencies could also increase the likelihood they would continue serving those populations. This could help alleviate the national shortage of primary care physicians.

(University of California -- Los Angeles) Medical schools and clinics could boost the number of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas by selecting and encouraging students from these communities, who often exhibit a strong sense of responsibility for and identification with the people there. In addition, training these students in underserved settings during medical school and their residencies could also increase the likelihood they would continue serving those populations. This could help alleviate the national shortage of primary care physicians.

(American College of Physicians) The American College of Physicians today told leaders of the House of Representatives that ACP understands the serious financial constraints on the federal budget at this time and supports bipartisan efforts to reduce funding for discretionary programs that do not achieve sufficient value, but firmly believes that Congress must continue on a path towards reversing an unprecedented shortage of primary care physicians in this country.

(American College of Physicians) The American College of Physicians today applauded CMS for making substantial improvements in its long-awaited Final Rule on Accountable Care Organizations. Based on its initial, preliminary analysis, ACP concluded that the changes will make it easier for internal medicine physician specialists and other primary care physicians to participate in this important effort to improve patient care through efforts to organize an ACO or serve as a practice in one of these efforts.

(American College of Physicians) A reformed Medicaid program must put coordinated primary care at the forefront of its efforts, the American College of Physicians said in a new position paper released today at Internal Medicine 2011, ACP's annual scientific meeting. Medicaid and Health Care Reform highlights how primary care physicians will assume a major role in providing care to Medicaid beneficiaries.

(American College of Physicians) Philadelphia - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced a new collaboration with the American College of Physicians (ACP) to improve primary care. IBC is offering up to 100 practices free, one-year access to a new on-line tool that will help identify ways to better serve their patients. The tool, known as the Medical Home Builder 2.0, is the most recent example of how IBC is working with area physicians and respected professional organizations to promote patient-centered care.

(American College of Physicians) The American Academy of Physician Assistants and the American College of Physicians today released a policy monograph that supports the critical roles physician assistants and physicians play in improving access to high-quality primary care. The paper, "Internists and Physician Assistants: Team-based Primary Care," results from a months-long collaborative project.

(American College of Physicians) The American College of Physicians and the National Partnership for Women & Families joined today to commend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the announcement of the new Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative.