Tuesday Rx | March 19, 2019 | How Does Social Determinants of Health Impact Patient Care? March 20, 2019 Tag 805 Patient Nutrition-Related CME In a recent conversation with LACMA president-elect Dr. Sion Roy, Dr. Ram Dandillaya and Dr. Neal D. Barnard, Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and President, Physicians Committee at George Washington University School of Medicine, the topic of nutrition was front and center. Although there are plenty of studies, programs and literature on patient nutrition, there is still much to learn. Dr. Barnard's team has been looking at ways to encourage nutrition education among physicians. Specifically, they are looking at CME requirements. Cognizant that doctors are not eager for any new CME mandates, they are considering introducing a California bill that would require 3 hours of nutrition-related CME as part of the overall CME requirement in every two-year cycle. In other words, of the existing required CME hours, 3 would need to be in nutrition. The bill could be introduced in 2020. Do our members support nutrition-related CME? Let me know what you think. As Dr. Barnard stated: "When we see patients at GW's primary care clinic, we often see patients whose diabetes has decompensated for years due to a lack of attention to nutrition in previous treatment plans. The same is true for cardiovascular disease, weight problems, and other day-to-day issues. By the same token, when we refer to specialists, it is important that they understand the role of nutrition and are in sync. In other words, when doctors neglect the nutrition issues that are key to diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and many other conditions, it puts us all in a tough spot." How Does Social Determinants of Health Impact Patient Care? Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) — the social and economic conditions that can impact health outcomes — are gaining recognition as a principal factor in the effort to improve patient care. Recent studies estimate that social determinants such as availability of basic resources, income level, access to transportation and overall knowledge of the healthcare system can be responsible for up to 80 percent of a health outcome. While the impact of SDoH on patient health has been well acknowledged by healthcare professionals, there remains a discrepancy between recognition and responsibility. Trends toward value-based care and the idea of treating the person rather than the condition are redefining the landscape, requiring all stakeholders to work together to address SDoH and improve health outcomes on a large scale. Data- and technology-driven member engagement strategies have emerged as a means of identifying SDoH and connecting high-risk individuals and communities with critical healthcare resources. If you would like a copy of the document "Social Determinants of Health: The Impact on Members, Health Outcomes and the Bottom Line" let me know! This report shows how analytics, engagement and care management tools are helping payers and providers overcome the socioeconomic issues affecting member health. New LACMA Member Discount Program The 2019 LACMA Membership Survey tells us that 60 percent of respondents said they are familiar with LACMA benefits but only 17 percent use our preferred partners. We are constantly looking for new benefits that members can easily access, use and maximize. Today, we launch our new members discount program for concerts, sporting events, rental cars, hotels, theme parks and much more. Thanks to our partnership with EBG, our members can get the same discounts now as AARP or Costco members simply by clicking here. As spring and summer approach, the time is ideal to take advantage of these extraordinary discounts. On April 1, 2019 the new LACMA Marketplace will go live. Members can access discounts on pharmaceuticals to supplies as well as get the latest information on our robust portfolio of preferred partners like PatientPop, AthenaHealth, Equinox, South Bay BMW, Town & Country Travel, Expense Reduction Analysts and many more. Is Your Practice Prepped for New Labor Regulations? Many new labor regulations went into effect January 1, 2019 which affect every industry, but particularly smaller size companies. Employers with 5 or more employees now need to provide sexual harassment training to their employees and managers by year end. Lactation accommodation laws have changed. The use of 1099s has become unlawful except in very minimal circumstances. These are just a few of the laws that business owners must immediately examine. The lawyers of WorkWise Law, PC can help protect you from costly mistakes by performing an HR Audit, identifying areas where your practice is out of compliance and provide you the solutions to give you peace of mind. Call (818) 591-6724 to learn more. Let me know what else we can add to our benefits! 2019 LACMA Membership Survey A significant percentage of respondents to our recent survey said they are not fully aware of the 20+ benefits available to them through membership. We'd love to hear back from more of you. If you have yet to fill out the survey, please do so to help us improve the member experience. Complete the survey and be entered to win one of four $100 Target gift cards! Once you've completed the survey, please email Chinaza Osisioma with your name and phone number to enter the drawing. Drawing will be held no later than April 12th, 2019. Visit The Polar Regions with Town & Country Travel Town & Country Travel is planning two trips: the Arctic for Northern Lights & Polar Bears, or Antarctica for Glaciers & Penguins. Learn more about these two adventures at the next informational meeting where a Quark rep and an expedition leader will be presenting. QUARK EXPEDITIONS, THE LEADER IN POLAR TRAVEL WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 2019, from 5:30p - 7p. (Refreshments will be served.) WHERE: Town & Country Travel 195 E Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (Space is limited to 20 guests so please contact me if interested!) See the polar bears, penguins, and glaciers before it's too late. Quark offers highly specialized programs that feature unique itineraries and experiences, and also off a Fly-Over-the-Drake-Passage program. Discussions on the Suicide Epidemic While the media and our field is focused on the Suicide Epidemic, there is a lesser discussed epidemic occurring involving physician suicide. It is estimated from various sources that hundreds of physicians die by suicide annually. Join as an amazing panel of doctors discuss this public health epidemic and its impact on the healthcare industry. SUICIDE - PERSPECTIVES ON A CONTEMPORARY CRISIS WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 8:30a - 12:45p. WHERE: Cedars Sinai Harvey Morse Auditorium 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 Click here for full details. Untreated mental health conditions are one of the largest causes of suicide among physicians and patients. Join as a panel of doctors discusses what every physician needs to know in order to assist a colleague, themselves and a patient. Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association "If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me." EVENTS AND COMMUNITY CME Programs HOW THE EXPERTS TREAT HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES WHEN: March 21 to 23, 2019 WHERE: Waldorf Astoria, Las Vegas 3752 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Click here for more information. This two-and-a-half-day symposium has been designed by experts in the field of hematologic malignancies and affords the conference attendee specialized educational tracks for both physicians and nurses, providing an opportunity to learn about the most recent advances in the treatment of bone marrow transplant, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. For questions contact: cme@coh.org or 626-218-5622.