| medical-commission-policy-clarifies-application-of-optometrist-scope-expansion | Medical Commission Policy Clarifies Application of Optometrist Scope Expansion | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2024/september-20/medical-commission-policy-clarifies-application-of-optometrist-scope-expansion | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2024/september/Eye-Exam-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="eye exam" /></div>
<h5>Sep. 20, 2024</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Medical Commission Policy Clarifies Application of Optometrist Scope Expansion</h2>
<p>In the 2023 legislative session, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5389&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">a bill</a> was passed into law expanding scope of practice for optometrists. The WSMA partnered with the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the physician community to oppose the bill, and while we objected to the bill in its final form, we were successful in making several amendments to the law that addressed some concerns.</p>
<p>One of those changes was requiring that for optometrists to be eligible to perform the enhanced procedures under the law, they must be issued a license endorsement that requires (among other provisions) working in partnership with a "qualified physician." The Washington Medical Commission recently released a draft interpretive statement (available beginning at page 19 <a href="https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/WMC%209.5.2024%20PIP%20Pkt%201st%20Rev.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>) defining what constitutes a qualified physician to mean one who: </p>
<ol>
<li>Holds a current license to practice as a physician and surgeon with the WMC;</li>
<li>Is not currently under any disciplinary action by the WMC, including a stipulation to informal discipline;</li>
<li>Holds a current certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology; and</li>
<li>Has a surgical suite on site or holds privileges at a local hospital.</li>
</ol>
<p>This policy aligns with WSMA advocacy in the interest of promoting patient safety, and we are supportive of the WMC interpretive statement, which is expected to be finalized later this fall. You can share your thoughts on the draft statement at <a href="mailto:medical.policy@wmc.wa.gov">medical.policy@wmc.wa.gov</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/20/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| men-we-need-you-to-go-to-the-doctor-and-to-become-doctors | Men: We Need You to Go to the Doctor, and to Become Doctors | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2024/men-we-need-you-to-go-to-the-doctor-and-to-become-doctors | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
Sept. 19, 2024
</h5>
<h2>
Men: We Need You to Go to the Doctor, and to Become Doctors
</h2>
<p>
By Daniel Low, MD
</p>
<p>
When June ended, so did Men's Health month. The rare June article highlighting men's health typically focused on prostate cancer or heart disease. These are serious issues jeopardizing men's health, but as a physician whose panel is predominantly made of boys and men, what worries me most about men's health is the generalized male withdrawal from the health sector. Lonely, apathetic, or disinterested men are not seeking care. Men are half as<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fintegrishealth.org%2Fresources%2Fon-your-health%2F2019%2Fjune%2Fwhy-dont-men-see-doctors%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520CDC%2520reports%2520that%2520women%2Cmaintaining%2520screening%2520and%2520preventive%2520care.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369047634%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2w9ApQvyMYXhgyE6l5pjcy1fjdp4I%2FdMp6vkMs2PBVM%3D&amp;reserved=0"> likely as women to maintain routine health screenings, and 33% less likely</a> to visit the doctor at all.
</p>
<p>
And it's not just disengaging from health care; men are also disengaging from social life. <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Flifestyle%2Fnewsletter%2F2023-10-10%2Fmore-than-1-in-7-men-have-no-close-friends-the-way-we-socialize-boys-is-to-blame-group-therapy&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369055278%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qGZQA1pNmf%2BYr%2FxcqhM9r8GvRRlb0aXygkXVuSG4fNs%3D&amp;reserved=0">Fifteen percent of men now report having no close friends,</a> which is <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnap.nationalacademies.org%2Fcatalog%2F25663%2Fsocial-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for-the&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369062482%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=X2UvguHfp0zvujjaG%2Fo1mlAxwUPVUjap0vIKIvgCDpY%3D&amp;reserved=0">worse for one's health than smoking</a>. Men are similarly disengaging from school. In 1972, when Title IX passed, men were graduating from college 13% more often than women; today, women graduate from college <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2023%2F03%2F10%2Fpodcasts%2Fezra-klein-podcast-transcript-richard-reeves.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369069682%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bV8ZQJ%2BDVZ%2BSMpNwCHKKjpjYj1iW0iQc7FpEQp%2BNpDA%3D&amp;reserved=0"> 15% more often than men</a>. Similar graduation rate disparities pervade <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flearningenglish.voanews.com%2Fa%2Fus-boys-graduate-high-school-at-lower-rates-than-girls%2F7346617.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369076762%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wG2%2B2KnPulW2uACwH3ENlaRj7zvFaU9IyE1LDMDqXR0%3D&amp;reserved=0">high school, too</a>.
</p>
<p>
While social and educational engagement may seem unrelated to health, research repeatedly demonstrates their association with wellness. When boys and men aren't with friends and aren't in school, they disproportionately face worse health outcomes, including <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaboysandmen.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F06%2FWhy-Washington-Needs-a-Commission-on-Boys-and-Men_2024_06_16.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369083829%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GjJxzSyI77SwsoBo5TOMWXmsP2N9XWCl3mMrXdiAr98%3D&amp;reserved=0">increased rates of homelessness, drug addiction, incarceration, and death</a>.
</p>
<p>
I feel awkward writing about this. Focusing on men's struggles in the context of gender equality feels misplaced, a narrative violation, particularly given men have always occupied the dominant space in society. It's especially grating knowing that <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC9811825%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369090990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kcoQknTWkL3y32UMeoZQD209u%2FCJXyRvl2Jk%2FSmRPxY%3D&amp;reserved=0">women's health research has been consistently underfunded</a>, <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Ffact-tank%2F2023%2F03%2F01%2Fgender-pay-gap-facts%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520gender%2520gap%2520in%2520pay%2C-%2520and%2520part-time%2520workers.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369097960%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=yYixIx9iXD4iU3HXF4fJfN%2BrAt7yyVldJH%2Fn%2FOABhKs%3D&amp;reserved=0">gender pay gaps persist, </a> and women and gender-diverse people are frequently and <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weforum.org%2Freports%2Fglobal-gender-gap-report-2022%2Fin-full%2F2-4-gender-gaps-in-leadership-by-industry-and-cohort%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369105205%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=43ZLwZ86G5MaW9EC%2BJc0I622DnsiKwJH8JIQN0B5fEM%3D&amp;reserved=0">unfairly overlooked for executive-level positions</a>, particularly within medicine.
</p>
<p>
It's why when I originally drafted this piece two years ago, I decided against publication; in highlighting the challenges of the privileged, I felt I'd also be unintentionally directing attention away from more marginalized groups. But I believe we can hold two truths at once. We can champion equality for women and gender-diverse people, <em>and</em> recognize that men are struggling.
</p>
<p>
Men's structural power is not translating into health advantages. In fact, men are dying, on average, five years earlier than women, while simultaneously <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.populationmedicine.eu%2FGender-differences-in-global-Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years-DALYs-a-descriptive-Analysis%2C163644%2C0%2C2.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369112343%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=EGWoN7zl8ovH1nEBlBNpNllfog7yoLzQzvDIZE2TC8w%3D&amp;reserved=0">suffering from significantly worse mental, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders</a>.
</p>
<p>
Despite many theories, it's ultimately unclear why this is happening, which is why we should support the growing coalition pushing Washington to create a <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaboysandmen.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369121696%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6iRf5vQbH5K9zaClEgcMucWkJqOgOdL2M7PMcwWvLKA%3D&amp;reserved=0">commission on men and boys</a>; we need to study the root causes of this public health crisis.
</p>
<p>
We also need representation. When young boys are most impressionable, they rarely see themselves in their doctors, <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilymedicine.uw.edu%2Fchws%2Fpublications%2Fwashington-states-physician-workforce-in-2021%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DWomen%2520comprised%252041%2525%2520of%2520the%2Cphysicians%2520age%252055%2520or%2520older.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369129176%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=G7W%2B9KRRfwatsV6q%2BUE0qxOTWHWBxkgTJtMsPKoWaqU%3D&amp;reserved=0">as less than one-third of pediatricians in Washington are men</a>. For those with mental illness seeking care with a therapist or social worker, it is <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zippia.com%2Ftherapist-jobs%2Fdemographics%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369136749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=TnntGPL8MqDiGSpt4UekamJREwgssutscnGcjyaiK88%3D&amp;reserved=0">even less likely to find a male practitioner</a> in Washington, which is particularly worrisome given the increasing rates of anxiety and depression in boys and men. To be clear, evidence shows <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Froberthart%2F2024%2F04%2F22%2Fpatients-fare-better-with-women-doctors-study-finds%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369143733%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n2tEObA46oY8TI4xdIFUfzB9zShMKwOKXU5QCPkRvt4%3D&amp;reserved=0">female physicians offer equal or better care</a> than male physicians. But if boys and men don't engage in care, the quality of care offered becomes a moot point.
</p>
<p>
And without intentional efforts, change will not arrive soon. Male medical student matriculants have decreased for eight consecutive years. The view is similar further up the pipeline. I lead a <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthpointchc.org%2Fjoin-our-team%2Fstudent-training-programs%2Fhealthpoint-health-scholars&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369150828%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zT2hLczw6TPiEP1WvTQ%2BhkK1tItv4b1srnX9mQfOiKk%3D&amp;reserved=0">mentorship program</a> for racially and economically underrepresented high school students interested in careers in health care, and since our program's inception in 2021, we've only had one young man graduate.
</p>
<p>
We need proactive, targeted recruitment of men for patient-centered, healing professions like pediatrics, nursing, psychology, and social work. This requires incentivizing professionals to mentor; institutions should include mentoring activities as criteria for promotions.
</p>
<p>
Simultaneously, we need to cultivate a new masculinity in our young men that embraces the tenderness and sociability of excellent caregivers. We want our sons, brothers, and fathers to be compassionate, active listeners who practice grace. Let's start by modeling this behavior and acknowledging the real struggles boys and men are experiencing.
</p>
<p>
<em>Daniel Low, MD, </em><em>is a family medicine physician in Renton.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>
<em>This article was featured in the September/October 2024 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.</em>
</p>
</div> | 9/19/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 7-actions-to-take-ahead-of-npsaday | 7 Actions to Take Ahead of #NPSADay | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/7-actions-to-take-ahead-of-npsaday | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/september/pf24-npsaday-general-1-li-fb-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="NPSADay graphic" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
<h2>7 Actions to Take Ahead of #NPSADay</h2>
<p>Sept. 17 is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. #NPSADay, part of Suicide Prevention Month, is a reminder and a call to action to make time to talk - and to act - so physicians' struggles don't become mental health emergencies. The WSMA is proud to take action to prevent physician suicide by sharing resources to help improve physician well-being, including suicide prevention resources, tips for starting important conversations about mental health, a crisis management plan, and more. This Tuesday, Sept. 17, help us recognize #NPSADay by visiting <a href="https://npsaday.org/">NPSADay.org</a> and learn how you can take action.</p>
<p>We must shift the current practice landscape to better support a culture of well-being and come together to take the necessary actions to reduce burnout, safeguard job satisfaction, remove barriers to seeking mental health services, and destigmatize seeking these services.</p>
<p>There are seven actions to help reduce physician burnout and ensure physicians' struggles don't become mental health emergencies:</p>
<ul>
<li>Learn the Vital Signs.</li>
<li>Encourage mental health reflection.</li>
<li>Share suicide prevention resources.</li>
<li>Prepare before a moment of crisis.</li>
<li>Check in with a physician.</li>
<li>Remove intrusive mental health questions.</li>
<li>Create a culture of well-being.</li>
</ul>
<p>Take action today. Everyone has a role in reducing physician suicide, and you can learn about yours at <a href="https://npsaday.org/">NPSADay.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |