TMA Practice Well

The number of people aged 65 and older in Texas will more than triple by 2050. As this population grows, Deborah Freeland, MD, a Dallas geriatrician, and Guadalupe  Zamora, MD, a family physician in Austin, weigh in on the specialized heath care needs of older patients and how the medical community can give them the care they need.

NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.

Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.

This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

As the summer temperatures rise and the heat index surges, many Texans suffer from heat-related illnesses. Hilary Fairbrother, MD, an emergency medicine physician and chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Emergency Medical Services and Trauma, says she sees many patients suffering from heat exhaustion and the more dangerous heat stroke. In this TMA Health Beat Podcast, she says, staying hydrated is the best way to stay safe in the heat and she describes some of her most typical heat illness patients.

In this episode of the TMA Practice Well podcast, recorded live at TexMed 2024, Dr. Toi Harris moderates an insightful panel discussion on fostering relationships for improved physician well-being. Joined by esteemed panelists Joshua Baker, Dr. Lane Aiena, and Dr. Cheryl Hurd, the conversation delves into the significance of both professional and personal relationships in enhancing health and happiness.

Discover strategies for maintaining meaningful connections despite the challenges of a demanding medical career. Learn from real-life experiences shared by the panelists, including the vital role of mentorship and the impact of strong personal bonds.

The episode also explores the importance of empathy, active listening, and effective communication in supporting colleagues through difficult times. Audience questions and reflections further enrich the discussion, providing practical tips for integrating well-being into everyday practice.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable advice to foster relationships that contribute to your overall well-being. Claim your CME credits for this episode by following the link in the description.

Welcome to TMA's Practice Well podcast, where we help you improve the health of all Texans. In this episode, we cover the latest updates and essential news for Texas physicians. Scroll down to get links referenced in this episode.

Firstly, we discuss a crucial payer update: Cigna will start denying claims without Z-code documentation from July 14th. Learn how this change might impact your practice and what you need to do to comply.

Next, we highlight Aetna's decision to pay Medicare Advantage G-2211 claims. Discover how this new policy can benefit your practice and ensure you are up-to-date with Medicare's latest coding requirements.

We also introduce TMA's new Leadership Development Program, designed to support physicians at every career stage. This 18-month self-paced program offers in-person and on-demand courses to help you become a leader in organized medicine, practice management, or advocacy.

Finally, we celebrate the installation of Dr. Ray Callas as the 159th President of TMA. Dr. Callas shares his journey and vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of physician advocacy and leadership.

For more details on these stories, check the episode description. Remember to like and follow TMA Practice Well to receive every episode. Until next time, stay well!

• Physician Payment Resource Center

Delve into the complexities, challenges, and joys of a fulfilling medical career with Dr. Rajani Katta in this insightful podcast episode. As an experienced dermatologist and mentor, Dr. Katta brings a unique perspective to maintaining career health in the medical field. 

Dr. Katta emphasizes the importance of annual career check-ups and the ongoing self-evaluation of one’s professional growth and fulfillment. She explores the pressing issue of burnout among physicians while also introducing the 'Doctor Thinking' approach to career wellness and discusses the concept of effort to benefit ratio. Special emphasis is laid on personal modifications and strategic planning to enhance efficiency and productivity - experiences from her dermatology practice serve as real-world examples.

The episode provides a critical examination of career dynamics in the medical field against the intricacies and pressures that come with the profession. Rich viewpoints on career longevity, task meaningfulness, and work-life balance lay the foundation for preventing physician burnout.

The importance of cultivating positive relationships and maintaining adequate energy levels is also underlined, drawing references from the renowned Harvard Happiness Study. From dealing with rudeness at work to managing emotional exhaustion, Dr. Katta thoroughly reviews and addresses the issues physicians face in their career journey.

The episode closes with a deep dive into the topic of physician burnout. Dr. Katta introduces the NASA Physician Task Load, a useful tool to structure how demanding a medical professional's workday is. She emphasizes the importance of doctors' self-care and the essential role of social support and strong relationships for mental well-being. This captivating episode not only offers a wealth of wisdom for medical professionals but serves as an important reminder of the necessity of maintaining mental health in demanding professions.

Claim CME for this episode at the www.texmed.org/education. 

In an engaging episode of the TMA Practice Well podcast, we sample CME from TMA’s premiere conference TexMed. Guest speakers provide insightful discussion on essential aspects of maintaining a productive relationship with the Texas Medical Board, particularly important in light of telemedicine's post-pandemic boom. Dr. Mary Maness speaks on the growing issue of vaccine hesitancy. Then Dr. Mehta offers practical tips on using intense, non-judgmental awareness to foster physical health and psychological resilience. The compilation concludes with Dr. Kata, a successful mentor, offering advice on managing task load and burnout risks, emphasizing the importance of periodic career health evaluations to maintain a thriving work life. Registration today for TexMed 2024 and visit the TMA Education Center to find the full programs from this episode. 

The allergy season can be tough for many Texans who struggle with cough, runny nose and itchy eyes. Louise Bethea, MD, allergist and immunologist from The Woodlands, talks about the allergens that affect Texans the most, allergy induced asthma and the difference between allergies, and respiratory illnesses. 

In Case You Missed It… In this episode of TMA's Practice Well Podcast, we cover several interesting and valuable topics aimed to help physicians across Texas thrive. We begin with a story on the significant reduction of administrative strain using virtual scribes in medical practice. We delve into how these scribes streamline notetaking and paperwork processes within Electronic Health Records (EHR), leading to improved time management and overall physicians' satisfaction.

Next, get the details on a notable decrease in the Medicare Physician Pay cut, achieved through high-pressure advocacy by TMA and others in organized medicine, brought some relief to physicians and their practice wellbeing. However, we emphasize the concerted efforts towards additional reform, as lack of suitable Medicare physician payments threatens physicians' practice viability and patient care access.

Lastly, we highlight the recent flexibilities announced by CMS due to a cyber-attack on Change Healthcare, which disrupted many practices' operations. We present various ways this is being addressed, from request acceleration of Medicare payments to alternative methods for submitting claims. This section serves to provide crucial advice during such disruptions and aid in navigating through them.  

The episode wraps up with a reminder of the wealth of free resources provided for TMA members. Stay tuned to Practice Well for more valuable insights. Until next time, stay well.

Resource Links

• Virtual Scribes Enhanced Relationships Between Patients and Physicians  

TMA’s new podcast called TMA Health Beat will focus on public health issues and outreach programs organized by TMA. In the first episode, Marinel Munda, MD, a pediatrician from Tyler, Texas, talks about Walk with a Doc – a free program organized by physicians to encourage their patients to exercise. Dr. Munda explains why walking is important for a healthy lifestyle and how the program helps her give back to her community.

The Texas Medical Board clarifies new fingerprinting requirement ahead of February license renewals. Get instructions and details at the TMB website. Read the TMT article at www.texmed.org/TMT.