| first-two-episodes-of-better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast-now-available | First Two Episodes of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast Now Available | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/june-9/first-two-episodes-of-better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast-now-available | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/june/wsma-bpbt-seafoamevergreen-logo-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Better Prescribing, Better Treatment logo" /></div>
<h5>June 9, 2023</h5>
<h2>First Two Episodes of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast Now Available</h2>
<p>This week, the WSMA is launching a 14-episode podcast featuring conversations with experts on an array of topics about how we can reduce the dependence on opioids for pain management where appropriate, help those suffering with chronic conditions safely, and help those with addiction. A sole production of the WSMA and hosted by Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, the podcast is available at no cost to all physicians, physician assistants, and health professionals, and supports the goals of the <a href="[@]wsma/resources/opioids/better_prescribing_better_treatment/wsma/resources/opioids/better-prescribing-better-treatment.aspx?hkey=b6fb0ec0-8bc2-4e53-bf4c-9f148599cbeb">Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe-prescribing program</a>.</p>
<h3>About the podcast</h3>
<p>Through the course of the series, the WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast will address the gaps in practice that exist between the current state of prescribing and the best practices surrounding opioid and controlled substance prescriptions. The risks of both short- and long-term administration of opioids in combination with and separately from sedative medications impose risks that cross specialties and systems. </p>
<p>Each podcast episode is available to all physicians and health professionals either as audio or audio and video. Episodes will be posted on the <a href="[@]wsma/resources/opioids/better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast/wsma/resources/opioids/better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast.aspx?hkey=5d4ff39d-6d34-45da-a94f-d95e682b2863">WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast webpage</a> approximately every two weeks through the summer months, with the first episode now available. Creation of the podcast is made possible through funding from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Washington State Department of Health.</p>
<h3>About the host</h3>
<p>Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP, is an emergency room physician with TeamHealth Northwest and St. Joseph Medical Center and is a past president of the WSMA. Dr. Schlicher is the physician lead for the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe-prescribing program.</p>
<h3>About the first episode: The Future of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Program at the WSMA</h3>
<p>In this podcast, Dr. Schlicher is joined by WSMA Program Manager Monica Salgaonkar, MHA, CPHQ, and WSMA Director of IT Troy Brown to discuss the new areas of development in the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment program at the WSMA.</p>
<p>Learning objectives:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recall the history and background of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment.</li>
<li>Describe the areas of expansion of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment.</li>
<li>Using data components, determine how the data may be used to drive improvement.</li>
<li>Get more involved in Better Prescribing, Better Treatment and know who to contact for questions or coaching.</li>
</ul>
<p>This activity is approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>. <a href="[@]wsma/resources/opioids/better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast.aspx">Access the podcast from the WSMA website</a>.</p>
<h3>About the second episode: The History of Opioid Prescribing Legislation</h3>
<p>In this podcast, Dr. Schlicher sits down with WSMA Policy Director Jeb Shepard to discuss the history of opioid prescribing in the state, the origins of BPBT, and its overall impact on prescribing.</p>
<p>Learning objectives</p>
<ul>
<li>Summarize the history and background of opioid prescribing legislation over the years.</li>
<li>List the stakeholders involved in addressing the opioid use public health crisis in Washington state.</li>
<li>Understand the effects of HB 1427 and SB 5380 on opioid prescribing in Washington state and have strategies to comply with them.</li>
<li>Get engaged in Olympia and testify on rules and regulation of important medical issues.</li>
</ul>
<p>This activity is approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>. <a href="[@]wsma/resources/opioids/better-prescribing-better-treatment-podcast.aspx">Access the podcast from the WSMA website</a>.</p>
</div> | 6/9/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| volunteers-needed-to-pilot-training-program-on-caring-for-ukrainian-refugees | Volunteers Needed to Pilot Training Program on Caring for Ukrainian Refugees | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/june-9/volunteers-needed-to-pilot-training-program-on-caring-for-ukrainian-refugees | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/june/ukrainian-flag-645x425px.jpeg" class="pull-right" alt="Ukrainian flag" /></div>
<h5>June 9, 2023</h5>
<h2>Volunteers Needed to Pilot Training Program on Caring for Ukrainian Refugees</h2>
<p><em>The pilot period is July 1-15.</em></p>
<p>The Washington State Department of Health is looking for physicians or physician assistants willing to help pilot a one-hour training for health professionals on connecting Ukrainian refugees with key services.</p>
<p>The one-hour training will consist of six modules presented by content experts. The pilot period is July 1- 15. Volunteer pilot testers would go through the material at a time convenient for them during that window, then complete a short survey afterward.</p>
<p>The training is titled, "Connecting with Ukrainian refugees: Meeting their needs with better care and key services." It covers how to work with Ukrainian refugees and connect them to key services. The training addresses:</p>
<ul>
<li>Strategies for building positive relationships with Ukrainian arrivals.</li>
<li>Working with them to ensure they have met their vaccine and tuberculosis requirements.</li>
<li>Screening for physical and mental health needs.</li>
<li>Orienting them to the U.S. health care system.</li>
<li>Providing information about available benefits and services.</li>
</ul>
<p>Once this course launches, it will be available online and offer continuing education credits.</p>
<p>If you would like to volunteer as a tester, please contact Danielle Koenig with the Washington State Department of Health at <a href="mailto:Danielle.Koenig@doh.wa.gov">Danielle.Koenig@doh.wa.gov</a> or 360.280.4192.</p>
</div> | 6/9/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-2023-interim-policy-agenda-takes-shape | WSMA 2023 Interim Policy Agenda Takes Shape | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/june-9/wsma-2023-interim-policy-agenda-takes-shape | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/june/ls-2023-02-005-645x425px.jpeg" class="pull-right" alt="Washington state capitol building" /></div>
<h5>June 9, 2023</h5>
<h2>WSMA 2023 Interim Policy Agenda Takes Shape</h2>
<p>While the Washington state legislative session has concluded, rulemaking season is just ramping up, along with new opportunities for direct advocacy for physicians and physician assistants.</p>
<p>Bills that are signed into law, as well as executive orders, often require <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/understanding-the-regulatory-process.aspx?WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">public rulemaking for implementation</a>. State agencies, boards, commissions, and the federal government all use rulemaking to decide the finer details of policies-details that may ultimately decide how the new law or order impacts physicians, physician assistants, and practices.</p>
<p>The WSMA's policy department staff monitors and engages on rules impacting the house of medicine. During this year's rulemaking season, the WSMA will seek to implement our <a href="[@]WSMA/About/Policies/Whats_Our_Policy/Policy_Index.aspx">policy goals</a> through advocacy on a number of rulemakings at both the state and federal levels. These include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improving patient safety by requiring accessible labeling for prescription medication.</li>
<li>Civil and criminal protection for reproductive health care professionals.</li>
<li>Critical flexibilities for medical assistants entering and reentering the workforce.</li>
<li>A diaper benefit for families receiving temporary assistance.</li>
<li>Improving interoperability and prior authorization process at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.</li>
<li>Health equity continuing medical education for physicians and physician assistants.</li>
<li>Telemedicine prescribing flexibilities for buprenorphine and other controlled substances.</li>
<li>Scope of practice proposals for licensed midwives, dentists, naturopaths, and medical assistants.</li>
</ul>
<p>While not exhaustive of all the rulemakings on which WSMA's policy team engages, <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/legislative___regulatory/regulatory-priorities/wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/regulatory-priorities.aspx?hkey=562242c2-5e6b-4b10-887d-7b7efce4645c">a list of our top regulatory priorities is available on the WSMA website</a>.</p>
<p>The WSMA will keep you apprised of opportunities to comment on our top regulatory priorities. If you have thoughts on our advocacy efforts or feedback on any of our regulatory engagement, please contact <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 6/9/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |