Wisconsin Medical Journal
108 #3
108 #3
Press Releases
Society applauds Senate action removing joint and several liability change from State budget
release date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009contact: Mark Grapentine - 608.442.3768 or 608.575.2514 (cell) - mark.grapentine@wismed.org
Statement attributable to Robert Jaeger, MD, President, Wisconsin Medical Society
“The Wisconsin Medical Society applauds the State Senate for removing draconian changes to Wisconsin’s liability law from the biennial budget. Special thanks go to Sen. Jon Erpenbach for his efforts. Such a dramatic policy change didn’t belong in a budget bill in the first place, so we praise the Senate for standing up for good government.
“Wisconsin provides top-quality health care at a much more affordable value than other states in the country in part due to our reasonable approach to lawsuits. The dramatic change to joint and several liability would have threatened that stability by inspiring more lawsuits to be filed against more defendants as lawyers try to find a ‘deep pocket.’ Rather than encourage that bad behavior, the Legislature has sent a message loud and clear: let high-quality health care continue in Wisconsin.”
Society applauds Assembly action protecting Wisconsin's liability environment
release date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009contact: Mark Grapentine - 608.442.3768 or 608.575.2514 (cell) - mark.grapentine@wismed.org
Madison—“Today’s vote by Assembly Democrats removing the joint and several liability changes from the biennial budget bill is very welcome news. Political arm-twisting should never trump good policy. Today’s action shows that our Capitol policymakers truly care about the ramifications of the work they do. The Society thanks Rep. Louis Molepske and Rep. Mary Hubler for making the motion to remove the item, and for the members of the caucus that supported that motion.
“We encourage the State Senate to support the Assembly’s action; keeping Wisconsin's medical liability environment stable helps our citizens keep their access to high-quality health care in this state.”
Statement attributable to Robert Jaeger, MD, President, Wisconsin Medical Society
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org to learn more.
Wisconsin Medical Journal: Many doctors choose traditional Indian method to treat sinus conditions
release date: Tuesday, June 9, 2009contact: Jessica Steinhoff - 608.442.3747 - jessica.steinhoff@wismed.org
Madison—Neti pots and other saline nasal irrigation (SNI) devices used to be confined to health food stores and alternative-medicine practices. However, after receiving the thumbs-up from several clinical research studies, they’ve become a popular mainstream treatment for upper-respiratory conditions in Wisconsin.
A study in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Vol. 108, No. 3) assessed SNI usage patterns among 330 family physicians in Wisconsin and found that 87 percent have recommended SNI as therapy for a variety of upper-respiratory conditions, including sinus congestion caused by bacteria, allergies and viral infections.
The SNI method, rooted in the Indian medical tradition of Ayurveda, involves rinsing the nasal cavity with a liquid or spray form of saline, often via a Neti pot. While use of SNI appears to be gaining popularity, especially after attention from National Public Radio and the Oprah Winfrey Show, this was the first study to measure awareness and clinical use of SNI among practicing physicians.
After gathering data through an electronic survey, researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that younger physicians tended to recommend SNI to their patients more frequently than older physicians and that female physicians were more likely than male physicians to suggest this method. In general, the physicians surveyed recommended variety of methods for SNI delivery, though sprays and gravity-based devices such as the Neti pot were the most popular.
In addition, most of the survey respondents indicated that they had advised SNI use prior to prescribing antibiotics, suggesting that SNI may be an effective way to minimize antibiotic use for sinus conditions and, in turn, fight the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
“Even a small decrease in the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications could have a substantial impact on medical expenditure, ‘antibiotic pressure’ and associated antibiotic resistance,” the study’s authors state.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Wisconsin Medical Journal: Barriers to rural research are many, but infrastructure improvements may help
release date: Monday, June 8, 2009contact: Jessica Steinhoff - 608.442.3747 - jessica.steinhoff@wismed.org
Madison—According to the Rural Policy Research Institute, less than 0.5 percent of the nation’s private philanthropy goes toward rural research projects. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), less than 1 percent of its own funds for Wisconsin research support projects outside the Milwaukee and Madison areas. And according to Janette Strasburger, MD, a physician and professor from Neenah, Wis., this dearth of funding hampers rural communities’ efforts to improve their economies, keep up with medical and technological advances, and address public health issues that affect their residents.
A commentary piece by Dr. Strasburger, published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Vol. 108, No. 3), makes a case that small towns and rural areas need more research dollars, public and private, and offers an action plan for universities, communities and elected officials to extend the reach of research beyond large cities and suburbs.
“These research endeavors stand to enhance economic growth, reduce health disparities, decrease youth exodus and enhance research infrastructure,” she states in the article. “Cities are viewed as sources for high-paying jobs, yet many of these same jobs could be translated to rural and micropolitan areas, provided that the resources are established to support it.”
Strasburger points to several successful health research centers in smaller communities—in particular, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wis.—as proof that world-class research can take place outside urban areas. However, these centers owe much to a successful model for enlisting support from the community, plus established institutions such as universities, she says.
For many rural areas to achieve similar success, university faculty partners must be easier to access, community leaders must polish their grant-writing skills, and rural individuals must increase their presence on the advisory boards of grant programs, especially those at universities, Strasburger argues.
In addition, universities and other grant-awarding institutions must simplify their application processes and examine their procedures for barriers to rural applicants, she says.
A host of other recommendations about how to help rural and small-town communities access to research funding—from upgrading public libraries to increasing wireless Internet access—are outlined in an action plan in the article.
Doctor Strasburger is a professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the director of cardiac services at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Fox Valley in Neenah, Wis.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Wisconsin Medical Journal: Wisconsin children’s blood lead levels peak during summer
release date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009contact: Jessica Steinhoff - 608.442.3747 - jessica.steinhoff@wismed.org
Madison—Researchers have long suspected that blood lead levels—and the incidence of lead poisoning—follow seasonal trends, but these suspicions had never been confirmed for Wisconsin preschoolers. Now they have, thanks to a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The study, published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Vol. 108, No. 3), analyzed blood lead test results from nearly 677,000 Wisconsin children under age 6 from 1996 to 2008. The researchers found that average blood lead levels were lowest in March and highest in September, suggesting that lead may be more prevalent in Wisconsin children’s environments during the summer months.
In addition, these levels were most pronounced among infants less than 10 weeks old who lived in both the most and least densely populated areas of the state.
Although lead-based paint inside the home is the single greatest source of lead in a child’s environment, lead-containing dust from outside the home also appears to play a significant role, most likely when parents open windows and take the child outside to play.
“A short-lived but intense event could lead to significant transport of [lead-containing] particulates into the interior of building, especially if the doors and windows were open or in use at the time,” the researchers said.
Some possible exterior sources of lead include lead-based paint on the outside of children’s homes and other homes in their neighborhoods, the soil of these homes’ yards, residual contamination from leaded fuels and windblown dust from distant sources. The study’s authors recommend that these potential lead sources be studied further.
The authors also recommend that health care professionals consider retesting children whose blood lead levels approach the lead-poisoning threshold during an off-peak period month such as March or April. They recommend that these children be tested again during the summer since they may be at greater risk for lead poisoning then.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Society applauds efforts for statewide smoking ban
release date: Thursday, May 7, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 or 608.852.4082 (cell) - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—“The Wisconsin Medical Society is extremely pleased by the collaboration among the legislature and other key stakeholders to protect the health of our citizens with a statewide smoking ban. Wisconsin physicians have known for a long time that secondhand smoke is a costly and preventable health hazard for our patients. We applaud this effort and sincerely hope that smoke-free Wisconsin workplaces will become a reality in the days ahead.
The Society commends the leadership of Senators Fred Risser and Jon Erpenbach and Representatives Jon Richards and Al Ott to promote this vital public-health reform, and we call on the rest of the State Senate and Assembly to follow suit when it is time to vote. Strong smoking-ban legislation is truly a step forward for Wisconsin.”
Statement attributable to Robert Jaeger, MD, President, Wisconsin Medical Society
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org to learn more.
Wisconsin Medical Journal: Male elders face growing suicide risk as they age
release date: Thursday, May 7, 2009contact: Jessica Steinhoff - 608.442.3747 - jessica.steinhoff@wismed.org
Madison—Numerous studies have shown that suicide rates among older adults are disproportionately high, but until recently, few researchers have investigated suicide risk factors for this population.
Using two violent-injury reporting systems, researchers from the Injury Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, analyzed several demographic characteristics of the 534 Wisconsin residents age 65 and older who committed suicide between 2001 and 2006. Their study, published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 108, No. 2), found that older male adults committed suicide at a rate 7.8 times higher than females and that single males and older male elders (defined in this study as age 85 and up) were at greatest risk of taking their own lives.
Though the study echoed previous research that identified being male, being single and being an older male elder as suicide risk factors, it found no statistically significant correlation between suicide risk and factors such as education level and veteran status. Previous national studies had found veterans age 65 and older to be at higher risk of suicide.
The researchers also determined that suicide rate trends among Wisconsin residents age 65 and older remained steady at 12 to 13 percent over the six-year study period. As of 2005, the suicide rate for this age group in Wisconsin was lower than the national average of 14.7 percent.
Given that the population of older adults is rising, the study’s authors emphasized the need to increase and focus suicide-prevention efforts for the 65-and-older age group, using a public health approach.
“In addition to having a disproportionately high rate of suicide, older adults are also more likely to die following a suicide attempt compared to the general population,” the authors report. “Such statistics are particularly concerning because there is evidence that suicide is preventable.”
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Wisconsin Medical Journal: Electronic Medical Records increase productivity though some doctors have opposite perception
release date: Wednesday, May 1, 2009contact: Jessica Steinhoff - 608.442.3747 - jessica.steinhoff@wismed.org
Madison—Electronic medical records (EMRs) are quickly becoming the standard way for health care professionals to manage patients’ health information. However, doubts about whether the benefits will outweigh the costs have stalled the implementation process at many hospitals and clinics.
That’s why researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin set out to discover the extent to which EMRs affect the productivity of medical practices while measuring physicians’ perceptions of the electronic records’ impact on clinic productivity, documentation issues and quality of care.
Their study, published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 108, No. 2), found that physician productivity rose immediately and stayed at elevated levels throughout the study period. Meanwhile, physicians perceived that EMRs decreased their productivity.
Using a family medicine residency clinic as a test site, the researchers observed 13 medical faculty members and 25 residents as an EMR system was introduced and implemented over a two-year period. These physicians were surveyed about the EMR system’s impact on quality of patient care, documentation and productivity. Surveys took place in three-month intervals between December 2003 and May 2005.
While the study group showed greater productivity levels with the EMR system than when using paper records, they felt they were spending more time on electronic records than paper ones. Despite physicians’ perceptions that EMRs were increasing their workload, most maintained a positive opinion of the new system.
This positive opinion, the researchers say, “is likely due to having become accustomed to the now-ubiquitous computer in daily life, as well as the sense that the EMR increased the quality of care they could provide.”
The residents were most accepting of the new system because the majority grew up with computers, according to the researchers, unlike faculty members, most of whom began using computers later in life.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Wisconsin Medical Journal Study: Milwaukee County suicide rates top national average
release date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—When a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison set out to examine suicide rates in Wisconsin’s rural areas, he made a surprising discovery about urban suicide rates: Milwaukee County, the state’s largest urban area, had higher suicide rates than many other urban areas between 1999 and 2005.
The study, published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 108, No. 2), also found that suicide rates for males in Wisconsin’s rural areas were lower than the national average during the same six-year period, but that the rates for rural females mirrored the national average.
The study’s author, Zachary J. Baeseman, argues that his findings about Milwaukee County are surprising given that living in a rural area has long been considered a suicide risk factor among males and that suicide rates for urban females have been declining, for the most part, since 1980.
Baeseman says it is unclear why Milwaukee County has higher suicide rates than similar cohorts nationally or why rural Wisconsin males have lower-than-average suicide rates when compared to other rural areas in the United States. However, he hypothesizes that social factors are an important part of the equation.
“Social capital, social networks and social integration play an essential role in the etiology of suicide and are perhaps active factors in Wisconsin,” he writes in the article. “Further research is necessary to clarify what role age, alcohol use, firearm access and social isolation play in Wisconsin’s suicide rates.”
Baeseman’s analysis was based on suicide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and population-classification guidelines such as the National Center for Health Statistics’ urban-rural classification system and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural-Urban Continuum Codes.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and has been a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. For details, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org.
Milwaukee-area physicians elected Society leadership
release date: Monday, April 27, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society’s House of Delegates confirmed the elections of the following Milwaukee-area physicians to leadership positions at the Society’s Annual Meeting April 17 in Madison. Two physicians will serve three-year terms on the Society’s Board of Directors:
- Michael Lischak, MD, of Brookfield, was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors. Doctor Lischak is Board certified in occupational medicine, aerospace medicine and undersea and hyperbaric medicine. He serves as medical director for Columbia St. Mary’s Corporate WORx with his office in West Allis and is also Immediate Past President of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County.
- George L. Morris, MD, of Whitefish Bay, is a Board-certified neurologist practicing with Epilepsy & Seizure Care Specialists, SC in Milwaukee. He is also President-Elect of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County.
- George M. Lange, MD, of River Hills, was re-elected Chair of the Society’s Board of Directors. Doctor Lange, who practices with Westgate Medical Group in Wauwatosa, is board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics.
- Charles J. Rainey, MD, JD, FCLM, of Milwaukee, was elected Speaker of the Society’s House of Delegates. Doctor Rainey is a forensic psychiatrist and an assistant professor for the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
- Mahendr S. Kochar, MD, MACP, of Milwaukee, was elected delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) for 2009-2011. Doctor Kochar is Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is also a member of the Society’s Board of Directors and a member of the AMA’s Council on Medical Education.
- Tim McAvoy, MD, of Brookfield, was re-elected delegate to the AMA for 2010-2011. Doctor McAvoy is an internist practicing in Waukesha.
- Barbara Hummel, MD, of Muskego, was elected alternate delegate to the AMA for 2009-2011. Doctor Hummel is a family physician practicing in West Allis and is also President of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County and a member of the Society’s Board of Directors.
- Cory Hartman, of Wauwatosa, was elected to a one-year term on the Board of Directors. He is a student at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Three Green Bay physicians elected to Society’s Board of Directors
release date: Monday, April 27, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society’s House of Delegates confirmed the elections of the following area physicians to leadership positions at the Society’s Annual Meeting in Madison April 17-18:
- John Hartman, MD, was re-elected treasurer of the Society’s Board of Directors. Doctor Hartman is the CEO of Visonex and is a Nephrologist living in Green Bay.
- Bruce M. Neal, MD, FACS, of Green Bay, was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors. Doctor Neal is a board-certified urologist with BayCare Clinic Urological Surgeons in Green Bay.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.
Fond du Lac physician elected to Society’s Board of Directors
release date: Friday, April 24, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society’s House of Delegates confirmed the re-election of Kevin A. Jessen, MD, of Fond du Lac, to the Society’s Board of Directors. Doctor Jessen, who was also re-elected vice chair of the Board for a one-year term, will serve three years as a director. He is a family physician for the Aurora Medical Group central region.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.
Eau Claire physician elected to Society leadership
release date: Friday, April 24, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society’s House of Delegates confirmed the election of Andrea Hillerud, MD, of Eau Claire, as alternate delegate to the American Medical Association for 2009-2011. Doctor Hillerud is a family physician with the Marshfield Clinic’s Oakwood Center in Eau Claire. She is also a member of the Society’s Board of Directors.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.
Society names Watertown physician as president-elect
release date: Thursday, April 23, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Thomas J. Luetzow, MD, of Watertown, was elected president-elect of the Wisconsin Medical Society April 17 during the Society’s Annual Meeting in Madison.
Doctor Luetzow, a family physician who practices at Medical Associates of Menomonee Falls, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Medical School (today known as the UW School of Medicine and Public Health) and completed his residency at the Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, N.C.
A champion of patient advocacy, Dr. Luetzow says he will make quality care and physician professionalism his top priorities.
“I have long held that what is good for patients is good for physicians. Likewise, what is good for physicians is good for patients,” he said. “We as physicians will need to unify ourselves as effective advocates around major issues such as health care worker shortage, inadequate reimbursement, transparency issues, quality, safety and professionalism.”
Dr. Luetzow has been active in the Society for 25 years, representing Winnebago County and Waukesha County at different points in his career. He has served as chair and vice chair of the Society’s Board of Directors, secretary/treasurer of the Emergency Medicine Section of the Society’s House of Delegates and chair of several House reference committees and councils, among other leadership roles. In addition, he is the current director of the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, a three-time president of Wisconsin American College of Emergency Physicians Board of Directors and a community leader via his activities with the Waukesha County Medical Society and role as vice chair of the Family Practice and Emergency departments at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Luetzow says he looks forward to partnering with other medical groups and specialty societies, as well as government agencies and the American Medical Association, to support best practices in medicine.
In 2010, Dr. Luetzow will succeed Robert Jaeger, MD, who was sworn in as president during this year’s Annual Meeting. Until then, he will continue his active role in the Society.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.
T. Michael Bolger receives Wisconsin Medical Society’s Presidential Citation Award
release date: Thursday, April 23, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—T. Michael Bolger, of Milwaukee, has received the Presidential Citation Award from the Wisconsin Medical Society. Outgoing President Steven Bergin, MD, made the presentation at the Society’s Annual Meeting in Madison April 17.
Bolger, a native of Minocqua, is the current President and CEO of The Medical College of Wisconsin.
“Since 1990, he has led the institution with vision and tireless dedication,” said Dr. Bergin during the award presentation. “Through his efforts the Medical College has attracted internationally recognized physicians and scientists to serve on the faculty. Under his leadership the Medical College has become a nationally recognized institution in biomedical research. And his tremendous contributions to current and future physicians are too great to enumerate.”
Under his tenure, the Medical College received a $304 million endowment from the conversion of Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin to a for-profit stock corporation. This gift established the Medical College’s “Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin” program to support research, education and academic/community partnerships focused on improving health for the citizens of Wisconsin.
Doctor Bergin also noted that Bolger is credited with leading the campaign for Milwaukee’s $100 million theater district project, a campaign that has symbolized a development renaissance in the city. “His numerous civic honors reflect his strong commitment to social justice,” Bergin added.
The Society President has the privilege of presenting the Presidential Citation Award to a physician or non-physician who has made significant contributions to medicine or public health. The award was established in 1959.
With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Carl Eisenberg, MD, receives Wisconsin Medical Society Director’s Award
release date: Thursday, April 23, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Carl S. L. Eisenberg, of Mequon, has received the prestigious Director’s Award – the Wisconsin Medical Society’s highest honor. He accepted the award during the Society’s Annual Meeting in Madison April 17.
Doctor Eisenberg, a retired pediatrician, was recognized as being a true leader in medicine. He has served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career and has been very active in the Society during his 36-year membership. He served on the Board of Directors for nine years and has been a long-time member of the Council on Legislation in addition to serving as its chair. He has also chaired reference committees and been a member of the Society’s Nominating Committee and Policy Panel.
“The Society’s Directors award is reserved for doctors who make numerous and substantial contributions to the profession,” said George Lange, MD, Chair of the Society’s Board of Directors. “Doctor Eisenberg is well-deserving of this honor.”
In addition to his involvement in the Society, Dr Eisenberg has also been very active in the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving as its President and co-chair of its legislative committee. He was named the Chapter’s Pediatrician of the Year in both 1985 and 2008.
“The Society is especially grateful for (Dr. Eisenberg’s) efforts to integrate the Academy’s efforts with the Society's advocacy goals. It serves as an excellent example of how joining forces can result in better health for all Wisconsin citizens,” said Dr. Lange.
The Director’s Award was established in 1928 to recognize those who have served the art and science of medicine, their fellow physicians and the public with distinction.
With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Aaron Dunn, MD receives 2009 Young Physician Leadership Award
release date: Thursday, April 23, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation recognized Aaron A. Dunn, MD, of Mineral Point, as the Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, Young Physician Leadership Award winner during the Society’s Annual Meeting April 17 in Madison. Doctor Dunn is a board-certified family physician practicing at Family Practice Associates in Mineral Point and Dodgeville.
The award is presented annually in honor of the late Dr. Viste to a young physician who demonstrates commitment to patients, the medical profession and the community.
“Doctor Dunn is a remarkable example of a caring physician who, like our role model, Dr. Ken Viste, takes his passion for medicine beyond the clinic doors to the community at large,” said Foundation President David Falk, MD.
One of the first things Dr. Dunn did when arriving in Mineral Point three years ago was to ask community leaders what was needed. He soon immersed himself in creating a free clinic in Dodgeville, which has since served more than 1,000 people, using 70 volunteers. Doctor Dunn serves as its medical director.
“I felt an obligation to my patients, and working in the free clinic, seeing patients fall through the cracks of this broken health care system, I realized we have a major problem,” said Dr Dunn. “It’s hard for me to sleep at night knowing this is continuing to go on.
“Physicians are in a critical position to lead the change we want to see to make sure that everyone has access to the care we can provide to keep everybody healthy,” Dr Dunn added. “I felt obligated as a physician to speak out publicly for change.”
Like Dr. Viste, Dr. Dunn has taken a strong interest in achieving health reform that serves more of our population. In fact, Dr. Dunn has worked directly with State Representative Steve Hilgenberg on public listening sessions and other efforts to figure a better way out of our access to care problems.
“(Doctor Dunn) backs up his words with action by being instrumental in setting up the free clinic to provide services to those in need until reform happens,” wrote Representative Hilgenberg in a letter of support for Dr. Dunn.
“People know if they need something accomplished, Dr. Dunn is the one to contact,” said Denise Whitish, LPN, Family Practice Associates-Mineral Point.
In Dr. Dunn’s honor, the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation has contributed $750 to the Community Connections Free Clinic, the community organization of Dr. Dunn’s choice.
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation promotes patient health in a variety of ways. Established in 1955 as a nonprofit, charitable organization, the Foundation awards scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in medicine and grants to individuals or organizations for innovative programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices based on current research and principles of public health.
The Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state with 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients. With that in mind, Wisconsinmedicalsociety.org offers patients a unique source for reliable, physician-reviewed medical information. The Wisconsin Medical Society, a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Shorewood native named 2009 Presidential Scholar
release date: Thursday, April 23, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation has named Ben Weston its 2009 Presidential Scholar. The Shorewood native will receive a $3,000 scholarship to defray his educational expenses.
“The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is pleased to recognize Ben Weston for his remarkable leadership while maintaining academic excellence,” said Foundation President David Falk, MD. “Ben is already a leader among his peers, making him a perfect choice for this honor.” Doctor Falk presented the award during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting April 17 in Madison.
Weston, a 3rd year medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health in addition to completing his medical degree. In 2008, he created the developed the Healthy Classrooms Symposium, to bring the ideals and practices of public health to all classrooms in and around Dane County. The symposium attracted an audience of over 300. Subsequently, Weston and others launched the Healthy Classrooms Foundation; the 2nd annual Symposium was held April 22.
“I have never met a student like Ben before—and I have met thousands in my 24 years as a faculty member and as the Associate Dean for Students at the UW,” wrote Patrick McBride, MD, MPH, in his letter of recommendation for Weston. “Ben’s experience in the Healthy Classrooms Foundation as well as many other activities has demonstrated his devotion to improving the health of the state of Wisconsin.
“It is rare for students to achieve this level of excellence,” Dr. McBride added.
The Presidential Scholar Award was established by the Foundation to recognize a medical student entering his or her fourth year, who has exemplified the attributes, skills and desire to become a leader in the medical profession in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation was chartered in 1955 as a non-profit, non-stock corporation to enable physicians and other friends of the profession to support through loans and scholarships, education of health care professionals. Every health care professional will care for many patients over his or her career, so a gift to the Foundation touches many lives.
With nearly 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Wisconsin Medical Society affirms AMA torture policy
release date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—At its Annual Meeting this past weekend in Madison, the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) affirmed its strong support for American Medical Association (AMA) policy against physician involvement in torture.
Recent media reports regarding the potential involvement of medical personnel in the torture of detainees held by the United States CIA prompted the AMA and the Society to send letters to President Barack Obama in the past few days.
The Society’s letter “unequivocally condemns the involvement of medical personnel in monitoring and /or participating in torture of anyone, at any time, under any circumstances.”
The AMA letter states, “any involvement by physicians in torture is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as a healer.”
To read the full text of the Society’s letter, click here. To access the AMA’s letter and policies, click here.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Brookfield native honored with Houghton Award
release date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Matthew Buelow, a student at Milwaukee’s Medical College of Wisconsin, is the winner of the prestigious 2009 Houghton Award from the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation.
Buelow, a Brookfield native, received his award, including a $1000 check, during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting April 17 at Madison’s Monona Terrace.
“The medical profession is fortunate to have a young leader as committed and talented as Matthew Buelow soon joining its ranks,” said David Falk, MD, president of the Society’s Foundation. “Matthew’s service on the Society’s Board of Directors, in addition to numerous medical school activities and an extraordinary academic record of achievement, makes him an ideal candidate for this recognition.”
Buelow has served as co-president of the Medical College’s Chapter of the American Medical Association, as well as chair for the Residency Day, Residency Fair and Career Day events.
“Mr. Buelow…has utilized his outstanding leadership and team player skills in both on and off campus organizations that warrant him to be highly considered,” wrote Kenneth Simons, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in his letter of recommendation.
The Houghton Award was established by Doctors John H. and William J. Houghton in the 1960s to honor medical students who show promise for becoming what the brothers referred to as, “complete physicians.” By that, they meant those who excelled in their knowledge of both the socioeconomic and scientific issues related to medicine.
John H. Houghton, MD, a general practitioner at Wisconsin Dells, was president of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin (now called the Wisconsin Medical Society) in 1965-66. William J. Houghton, MD, also active in the Society, was a general surgeon in Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation was chartered in 1955 as a non-profit, non-stock corporation to enable physicians and other friends of the profession to support through loans and scholarships, education of health care professionals.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. To learn more, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/physicians.
Brown Deer native honored with Houghton Award
release date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Nyama Sillah, a student from Madison’s University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, is the winner of the prestigious 2009 Houghton Award from the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation.
Sillah, a Brown Deer native, received the award, including a $1000 check, during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting April 17 at Madison’s Monona Terrace.
“If past achievement is any indication of Nyama Sillah’s potential, there is no doubt that she will continue to serve patients and the profession with great distinction,” said David Falk, MD, Foundation president. “She has demonstrated an exceptional academic record, as well as participation in a great many activities that will help her better empathize with the patients she will treat throughout her budding career.”
Sillah has achieved numerous academic distinctions during medical school, including membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, the honorary medical society, which counts scholarship, character and leadership potential as qualifying standards. She also has published articles relatedto her work as a research assistant for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
What’s more, Sillah has an impressive record outside of medical school, having served as the UW Chapter President the American Medical Association-Medical Student Section and a student delegate and representative to the Council on Legislation with the Wisconsin Medical Society.
“We believe Nyama is an outstanding candidate for this year’s Houghton Award,” wrote Patricia DeMarse, Assistant Dean, UW School of Medicine and Public Health in her nomination of Sillah. “Her talents and desire to ‘make a difference’ will certainly contribute to becoming a ‘complete physician’ as described by the Drs. Houghton.”
The Houghton Award was established by Doctors John H. and William J. Houghton in the 1960s to honor medical students who show promise for becoming what the brothers referred to as, “complete physicians.” By that, they meant those who excelled in their knowledge of both the socioeconomic and scientific issues related to medicine.
John H. Houghton, MD, a general practitioner at Wisconsin Dells, was president of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin (now called the Wisconsin Medical Society) in 1965-66. William J. Houghton, MD, also active in the Society, was a general surgeon in Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation was chartered in 1955 as a non-profit, non-stock corporation to enable physicians and other friends of the profession to support through loans and scholarships, education of health care professionals.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. To learn more, visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/physicians.
Dr. Robert Jaeger of Mosinee elected Wisconsin Medical Society President
release date: Monday, April 20, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748, 608.852.4082 cell - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Robert J. Jaeger, MD, FACOG, of Mosinee, was inaugurated as the 156th President of the Wisconsin Medical Society Friday, April 17 during the Society’s Annual Meeting at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.
The president of the Wisconsin Medical Society serves a one-year term. Doctor Jaeger succeeds Steven Bergin, MD, of Stevens Point.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Jaeger focused on the theme of professionalism in medicine—working to improve patient care and advance the medical profession as a whole.
“To be a professional is to make a promise to help, to keep that promise and to do so in the best interests of the patient,” said Dr. Jaeger. “Medicine is at heart a moral enterprise founded on the covenant of the patient-physician relationship.”
Doctor Jaeger, who is retired, has served as President of the Wisconsin Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of the University of Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is the past Chair of the Wisconsin Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as well as past Chair of the College’s District VI and Chair of ACOG’s International Council of District Chairs. He currently serves on six Boards of Directors including the Stevens Point Elks Lodge and the Board of Governors of Wisconsin’s Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Are doctors the new detectives?
Medical expert from TV’s ‘CSI’ series to discuss how medicine solves crime
release date: Friday, April 10, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748 - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Examining dead bodies is the stuff of nightmares for most people, but for Gary Telgenhoff, MD, it’s a fascinating game of detective work—and the real-life source of the popular television series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
Doctor Telgenhoff, a Las Vegas-based forensic pathologist and deputy medical examiner, is the forensic consultant for “CSI,” “Bones” and many well-known authors. He will speak at the Monona Terrace Convention Center at 8 p.m. next Thursday, April 16 at a fundraising event for the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation. His presentation, “How Medicine Solves Crime,” will help support the Foundation’s community grants and scholarship programs. News Media are welcome to attend.
Telgenhoff describes his interest in pathology as a fascination with mystery, discovery and “the process of putting the case together and getting an answer that makes sense.” His medical background includes a medical degree from Michigan State University and a five-year pathology residency in Ohio during the 1990s. These days, as a medical examiner and pathologist, he sees nearly 1,000 bodies each year, about half of which he autopsies. Because many of the bodies he examines are homicide victims, Telgenhoff is often called to court to explain how he determined the cause of death.
“Seeing the understanding in a family’s eyes when I have explained what happened to a loved one, seeing the understanding in the jury’s eyes when I have explained medical findings in common, everyday layman’s language, and the occasional feeling that I’ve contributed to a justice system that often works” are just a few of the things that make his job exciting and worthwhile, he says.
Telgenhoff’s other passion—rock ’n’ roll—is likely to surface in his presentation as well. In addition to shaping the plots of TV thrillers, the doctor’s daily encounters with darkness and mystery surface in songs that he writes and performs when he’s not doing detective work. A seasoned club performer, he recently released his third CD, You Kill Me, with members of Blue Öyster Cult and Alice Cooper.
“I was a musician before I went to medical school, but I had no ideas for tunes. As soon as I got into the profession, ideas started falling from the sky,” he says.
Contact Kendi Parvin at 608.442.3748 or kendi.parvin@wismed.org to schedule an interview with Dr. Telgenhoff or obtain details about this event.
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation was chartered in 1955 as a charitable organization to enable physicians and other friends of the profession to support the education of health care professionals through scholarships, fellowships and student loans. Every health care professional will care for many patients over his or her career, so a gift to the Foundation truly touches many lives.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.
Society files appeal to overturn decision on Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund raid
release date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748, 608.852.4082 cell - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—The Wisconsin Medical Society today filed an appeal with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to overturn a Dane County Circuit Court decision upholding the 2007 raid on the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (Fund). The Society filed suit in 2007 to reverse the wrongful taking of $200 million from the Fund by the State of Wisconsin. Judge Michael Nowakowski ruled last December that health care providers do not have an interest in the Fund and that Wisconsin law prevents the State from being sued on the Society’s other claims in this type of case.
“The circuit court’s decision fails to uphold the purpose of the Fund established by Wisconsin law. The money in the Fund is there for injured patients and their families, period. It was never intended to be—nor should it be—a slush fund for the State to balance its budget,” said Wisconsin Medical Society President Steven Bergin, MD. “Because the Society’s commitment to protecting the Fund is unwavering, we will exhaust all avenues of appeal.”
It is widely accepted that the Fund, along with other tort reform measures, has helped stabilize the medical liability environment in Wisconsin and helped the state attract and retain top-quality healthcare professionals. Wisconsin consistently receives a top ranking in annual health care quality surveys.
“This appeal is an important step in restoring the integrity of the Fund, which is a key factor for physicians deciding to practice medicine in Wisconsin. That’s why a positive liability environment is critical to ensuring that patients have access to medical care, especially in our rural and inner-city areas,” said David Hoffmann, MD, a family physician from Mauston, who is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The Fund was created in 1975 to minimize the potential impact lawsuit-related insurance costs might have on health care costs and quality. Wisconsin physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals are required to pay into the Fund each year. There are no taxpayer dollars in the Fund. The Wisconsin Supreme Court allowed Wisconsin teachers to sue the State in a similar case involving the Employee Trust Fund; the teachers won that case. The Society’s lawsuit is also similar to cases in which the Supreme Court has concluded that individuals can have a property interest in preserving the integrity and security of a state fund. In his circuit court decision, Judge Nowakowski ruled that the Society does not have a property interest in the Fund to prevent the State from taking the money. However, the Society contends that physicians and other health care professionals contribute to the Fund and have a property interest in preserving its integrity and security so that the money will only be used to pay the claims of injured patients and their families, which is the purpose of the Fund.
To view a five-minute video about this issue or for more information, go to www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/initiatives/lawsuit.
With nearly 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Wisconsin Medical Journal goes green and ‘virtual’
Free download allows full access and easy searches
release date: Thursday, February 26, 2009contact: Kendi Parvin - 608.442.3748, 608.852.4082 cell - kendi.parvin@wismed.org
Madison—Aiming to give readers a superior reading experience and save some trees, the Wisconsin Medical Journal has gone “virtual” effective immediately. However some printed copies will remain available for subscribers.
“The new on-line version reassures those who like the look and feel of a print journal that we can have that—and be more environmentally friendly as well,” said Journal Medical Editor John Frey, MD.
To launch a digital publication that looks identical to the printed edition, readers may click on a thumbnail image of the Journal’s cover or click a link on the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) Web site. They can then turn pages, zoom in and out of the document, print and download articles, and even visit links to Web sites included in references and advertisements.
This technology also features improved search functions, allowing readers to search each issue of the Journal by author, subject and keyword. In the coming months, new issues will become available as they are published, along with searchable archived editions.
Published since 1903, the Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Society. Its readers include Society members as well as other health care professionals and consumers who access the Journal electronically from around the country and even the world.
With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Martial Arts offer ‘better overall health and balance’
Physician says psychological well-being an added benefit
release date: Thursday, February 13, 2009contact: Steve Busalacchi - 608.698.5298 - prdr@tds.net
Madison—If you can’t get your kids off the couch, maybe they’d be more interested in a less traditional form of exercise that’s also good for them.
“Martial arts are an enjoyable alternative to ‘traditional exercise’ for many and offer unique opportunities to learn self-defense and new skills in a group setting,” writes Thomas Woodward, MD, in a report in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 108, No. 1). But Dr. Woodward, an urgent care physician at Dean Health System, Madison, says martial arts are often suitable for people of any age group.
For example, tai chi, which is a Chinese martial art, may be appropriate for the elderly. “There is an emphasis on balance and coordination,” the article explains, and tai chi may well provide both good exercise and fall prevention for older people by improving balance, strength and flexibility.
In addition, martial arts may offer special benefits for children with hyperactivity problems because they promote “concentration and reduce impulsivity by requiring students to focus intensely on a physical activity, follow verbal and visual commands, and practice in a controlled, disciplined environment,” the article notes.
Besides being good exercise overall, Dr. Woodard says martial arts are good for one’s frame of mind. “These practices improve psychological health by promoting relaxation, self-esteem, and mind-body coordination,” he writes.
Like any sport, though, injuries are associated with karate, judo, taekwondo and other martial arts. Sprains and strains are the most common, while broken bones, dislocations and dental injuries are experienced less frequently. But Dr. Woodard cites a survey that found football, basketball and wrestling had more serious injuries associated with them than the martial arts.
Community centers and municipal centers frequently offer low-cost classes so participants can test which form of martial arts might be best for them.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Survey finds Wisconsin parents who refuse vaccines fear immunizations more than the disease
State sees sharp increase in non-medical exemptions for vaccinations
release date: Thursday, February 12, 2009contact: Steve Busalacchi - 608.698.5298 - prdr@tds.net
Madison—Although compliance with the Wisconsin Student Immunization Law remains high, many Wisconsin children are more susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases because more parents refuse immunizations for non-medical reasons. Survey findings involving 963 parents of children in 66 Wisconsin elementary, middle and high schools compared the attitudes and beliefs of those with children having nonmedical exemptions to those with fully-vaccinated children. The results are published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 108, No. 1). The authors that collaborated on this survey are from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During the 2005-2006 school year, 3.1 percent of Wisconsin students received nonmedical exemptions for vaccines, nearly four times higher than in 1992-1993 when it was 0.8 percent, according to the authors. “The dramatic increase in nonmedical exemptions for philosophical reasons in Wisconsin is in sharp contrast to religious and medical waivers, which remained relatively constant among school attendees in Wisconsin during the past 13 years,” the authors report. “The most common reason reported for parents claiming nonmedical exemptions for their child was the vaccine might cause harm (57%),” the authors report. Another common reason stated was that it was better to get a natural disease than a vaccine. Data do not support these beliefs.
The survey found the relatively new vaccines for chicken pox and hepatitis B were the most commonly refused immunizations. However, even a substantial share of parents (25%-34%) who accept vaccinations had unsupported safety concerns.
“The effect of the decreased vaccine coverage has resulted in an increase of individual susceptibility and a decrease of herd immunity among Wisconsin children, leaving this population more susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases outbreaks,” the authors conclude. They also note that the survey results support the need for finding more effective ways to communicate valid vaccine safety information and the risk children face by not being vaccinated.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Insurance coverage main complaint among medically underserved
release date: Thursday, January 8, 2009contact: Steve Busalacchi - 608.698.5298 - prdr@tds.net
Madison—Low-income, minority patients from Milwaukee zeroed in on health insurance issues as their greatest barrier to care. Their complaints are detailed in a new report published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 8).
The project involved six focus groups of patients primarily from the Milwaukee area. The Aurora Family Care Center, Milwaukee; Center for Urban Population Health, Milwaukee; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted the study.
“When asked about what barriers stand in the way of getting the best care, the overwhelming answers were money and insurance,” the authors report. The complexity of the health care system, as well as an inability to get some care, even when insured, were among the chief complaints.
Surprisingly, according to the researchers, “there was very little mention of racial biases, although many people did have isolated stories.”
The authors explain that it’s important to study this area because minority patients have poorer health overall, compared to white counterparts. “It is not easy, however, to differentiate the multiple factors that likely contribute to the differences in health outcomes for minority patients, including genetic factors, access to care, socioeconomic factors, and physician bias and prejudice,” the report states.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Building primary care interest in Wisconsin not about money
Survey finds med students going into primary care seek strong patient relationships, etc
release date: Monday, January 5, 2009contact: Steve Busalacchi - 608.698.5298 - prdr@tds.net
Madison—Money was not on the list of the most important factors in choosing a primary care specialty, according to a survey of Wisconsin medical students published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 8).
“…salary and years of training may have been overemphasized in understanding student career choice,” say the authors, from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
This is an important issue, as the aging population and a potential expansion in health insurance coverage may well fuel a primary care shortage in Wisconsin and other states. In fact, rural and inner city areas in Wisconsin already are considered primary care shortage areas.
The researchers used a Web survey to contact all Wisconsin medical students with active e-mail addresses. The response rate was 21 percent. Two-thirds of those responding who chose primary care specialties were women.
“Significantly more primary care students considered an interest in the underserved, relationships with patients, scope of practice, and role models to be ‘extremely’ or ‘quite’ important in their career choice than other specialty students,” the authors report. What’s more, primary care students were much more likely to say salary and competiveness were “not at all” important.
“Wisconsin’s medical schools need to nurture interest in primary care disciplines among medical students to meet the expanding needs among Wisconsin’s residents and its health care system,” the report concludes.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
A remedy for health care paperwork headache
Collaboration between Dean Health System and DOT leads to electronic solution
release date: Friday, January 2, 2009contact: Steve Busalacchi - 608.698.5298 - prdr@tds.net
Madison—The bane of health care is paperwork: Forms for insurance, certification of medical conditions, medical leave, and more. But according to a scientific paper published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 8), Madison-based Dean Health System developed a way to improve the process.
“The form previously took 6-7 minutes to complete,” writes author Philip Bain, MD. “After the new process was in place, it took 30-45 seconds.”
The new process was initiated by a Dean neurologist who spent a significant amount of time each week completing a paper form required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for patients with certain medical conditions. When a group from Dean Health System approached the DOT about the form, they also were interested in finding a more efficient process because many of the forms came in with illegible handwriting or were incomplete.
The electronic medical records team went to work, producing in 70 hours a form that could be completed electronically and that would also incorporate patient information already in a database. Since this was the first attempt to solve such a problem, those involved believe it wouldn’t take as long to develop a similar electronic version for other paper forms. In fact, another Dean clinician subsequently requested a paper form he used to be created electronically, and the team was able to accomplish that one in just five hours. It is now in use.
“This project illustrates how a workflow process was improved and streamlined through collaboration between a government agency (DOT) and a health care system (Dean) using an electronic medical record,” concludes Dr. Bain.
Bain’s report cites a survey showing 36 percent of Wisconsin clinicians in an outpatient setting use a fully functioning electronic medical records system. “Health care analysts expect this number will increase exponentially in the next few years,” writes Dr. Bain. He says all parties benefit from filing forms electronically, including patients, because they’re completed faster and more accurately.
The Wisconsin Medical Journal is the official publication of the Wisconsin Medical Society. With more than 12,000 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841. Visit www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org. Your Doctor. Your Health.
Archive of recent press releases
© Wisconsin Medical Society - All rights reserved - 2009
Contact us here.