Newsweek story on physician rankings features TAFP members
Two Metroplex family doctors got the chance to tell a Newsweek reporter about their experiences with physician ranking systems employed by health insurers. Read what they had to say. more …

Group releases guidelines for health insurers’ physician measurement and reporting
The Consumer-Purchaser Disclosure Project—an initiative that combines consumer, employer and labor organizations—released a set of guidelines to direct health insurers on “fair and reliable” ways to measure and report physician quality and cost to consumers. more …

TMB executive director to step down in August
After seven years of leading the Texas Medical Board, Executive Director Donald Patrick, M.D., J.D., has announced his retirement. more …

Cover the Uninsured Week, April 27-May 3, to raise awareness of the nation’s uninsured population
Physicians are already in the center of the health insurance debate, now there are resources and a national push to raise awareness of the uninsured and help these 47 million Americans get access to health coverage. Find out how you can join the effort. more …

Calling all researchers: Enter TAFP’s annual research poster competition
Promote family medicine research in your practice, residency program or school by entering the TAFP annual research poster competition. Past entrants have gone on to win national awards—don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this springboard at Annual Session in Houston. The deadline to submit an abstract is May 16. more …

Plan a helmet giveaway during Bike Month in May
The Texas Medical Association is spearheading a statewide effort to encourage bicycle safety during Bike Month. Participation can be free for TAFP/TMA members. more …

Calling all TAFP members: Make Your Mark on family medicine
Help determine the direction of family medicine by signing up to serve on one of TAFP’s committee or commissions. Appointed committee and commission members help form policy and make recommendations to keep the organization at the forefront of the specialty on a variety of topics, from academic affairs to public health. Follow this link to an online form to indicate on which TAFP committees and commissions you are willing to serve. Please respond by April 27, 2008 to ensure that your request is reviewed during our upcoming appointment process.

EDUCATION UPDATE

Invest in yourself with NPI procedural training in San Antonio
When the National Procedures Institute comes through San Antonio May 9-17, get more from your practice by learning or expanding your knowledge of a hands-on office procedure on a variety of topics including ECG interpretation, X-ray interpretation, dermatologic procedures and aesthetic procedures. These two-day workshops earn attendees AAFP prescribed credit and a percentage of TAFP members’ registration fees come back to the Academy. Go to the NPI Web site, www.NPInstitute.com for more details and to register.

Annual Session online registration now available
Online registration for the 59th Annual Session and Scientific Assembly is now available in the Annual Session section of TAFP’s Web site. At this year’s conference, July 16-20 in at the Westin Galleria in Houston, attendees can earn up to 24 hours of accredited CME, influence the future of the specialty at the TAFP business meetings, and meet the family of family medicine through lots of new events and old favorites. TAFP will even offer extended procedural training through a two-day workshop on aesthetics July 16-17. more …