ACOFP Blog
For Family, By Family—ACOFP Blog
ACOFP is a community of current and future family physicians that champions osteopathic principles and supports its members by providing resources such as education, networking and advocacy, while putting patients first.
Enacted on December 27, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) is one of the largest bills ever passed by Congress—both in terms of funding and policy changes. While there are numerous modifications impacting family medicine physicians, we are focusing on those impacting the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS).
For years we have been telling our patients to move more. With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to wide-spread shutdowns, stay-at-home orders and quarantine protocols, employees are working from home and finding new and even more sedentary daily routines than ever before. As a result of this physical inactivity, metabolic and musculoskeletal complications may lead to worsening of these chronic diseases and increase the number of physically disabled people in the years to come.
For our next article in the series, students spoke with Brianna Eisaman, DO, to learn more about her decision to pursue family medicine, her current role as a representative on ACOFP’s Resident Council and her previous volunteer experiences, beginning with her active student involvement in ACOFP.
In the day and age of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many are searching for consistent guidance on measures they can take to protect themselves and loved ones. Primary care physicians are often on the front lines of these conversations and, as such, it is vital that a uniform, evidence-based message is being relayed to patients on up-to-date recommendations.
When I was elected to the ACOFP Board of Governors in 2013, I “diversified” our Board by being a 39-year-old white female. At that time and until now, there have only been five women elected as Governor to the ACOFP Board in its 70-year history. Similarly, there has only been a handful under the age of 40, much less anyone with three children under 10. At the time, my addition to the Board was significant for what it represented as a change in our specialty college’s future leadership. I realize now that it was just one minor step in the direction that was needed—not only for ACOFP but also for our profession, the patients we care for and our collective communities.
Tumultuous. Chaotic. Stressful. Unprecedented. No matter what word you use, 2020 was a year like no other, and family physicians were thrust into the middle of it, forced to adapt to support their communities—and each other. As 2020 comes to a close and we embark on a new year, ACOFP members share the biggest, hardest and most meaningful lessons they learned in 2020.
Advocacy can take place in any form as long as the goal of promoting change in the system can be achieved. What’s most important is to start taking active steps towards advocacy. By engaging in more advocacy, current and future physicians will be able to make a positive impact on patient health and wellness.
There is no telling what 2021 has in store for us, but ACOFP has a clear vision for what we have in store for you in 2021, and I could not be happier or feel stronger than I do with my ACOFP family beside me. Let’s embark on the new year together.
As a practicing physician, I have found that there is one symptom that is universal among all COVID patients. Depression by far is universal, and although medication helps, I found a better treatment: human touch. The isolation and lack of human touch that occurs with the virus is epic. I didn’t truly understand the origin of the depression associated with COVID until I lived that nightmare.
The ACOFP 58th Annual Convention & Scientific Seminars, taking place virtually March 11–14, offers a robust program of continuing medical education that is personalized just for you. Whether you are a resident, new to the family medicine practice profession or have been helping patience for years, ACOFP ’21 Virtual is for you.
Often students will approach me asking for research prospects. I try to pick research opportunities that connect the medical students with projects that would inspire them and spark their passions. As a clinician, it has been a privilege to work with the students and share learning opportunities.
I chose family medicine because it offers a vast array of possible future career paths that is not necessarily available to other specialties.
Walking in these shoes to fill so many roles teaches me compassion and reminds me of how important empathy is in my position as an osteopathic physician—especially during a pandemic, when tensions can be even higher than normal.
The coronavirus will not go away immediately. Therefore, preventive medicine needs to adapt. Physicians and all health professionals need to consider the benefits of physical activity for their personal health, and for the health of the public. During our COVID-19 existence, exercise is not only good for maintaining physical health, but it is a critical component of maintaining mental fitness.
I look forward to the day when the number of female leaders at our medical schools and in our professional organizations will be too numerous to count and will no longer be a statistic to track—when our communities are represented by women equally in the legislature, when C-suites are filled with women and when all people, regardless of gender or race, are treated equitably based on skills and ability to contribute.
I chose family medicine because I saw the impact that preventive medicine can make on one’s life at a very personal level. I also love creating connections with people and family medicine provides wonderful continuity of care. Helping people to be champions of their own health care journey has been a true honor.
