Assessing the Current Primary Care Situation, I Choose Hope Over Despair

Carlos Roberto Jaén MD, PhD

Carlos Roberto Jaén MD, PhD

According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, tipping point is “the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.” It’s not when the change is fully apparent, it is when it starts irreversibly. As the Affordable Care Act and 2014 loom in the horizon, some of our academic colleagues in the ROAD specialties are describing the local professional scene as one of “suffering” for their colleagues (“They’re losing their shirts”), probably an exaggeration but nevertheless a change. Many of their graduates, after years of “investment” in their training, will be disappointed.

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Breast-feeding and Family Medicine Faculty

WomenInFM

This is the third in a work/life balance series written by members of the STFM Group on Women in Family Medicine.

Colleen Fogarty,MD, MSc

Colleen Fogarty,
MD, MSc

Returning to work after the birth of a baby challenges all mothers, regardless of the age of the child. However, for breast-feeding mothers, there are special considerations.

Compared with 25 years ago, we’ve made substantial progress in returning to breast-feeding as the best method of infant nutrition. The World Health Organization Guidelines of exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months, followed by weaning foods and continued breast-feeding until 2 years, are widely promulgated by us in family medicine.

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Day in the Life: My Visit With OHSU and STFM’s President-Elect

Stacy Brungardt, CAE STFM Executive Director

Stacy Brungardt,
STFM Executive Director

Most of you will not have the opportunity to serve on the staff of an amazing nonprofit organization like STFM. This is the first of a new blog series that will highlight some behind-the-scenes work at our staff offices and with our members to transform health care through education.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

10:35 am PT
Hello Portland, Oregon! Picked up by STFM President-Elect John Saultz, MD, at the airport. (Pretty nice to have the incoming president meet me at the airport!) Great lunch at Mother’s—I highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich and homemade rolls. A brief Oregon Health and Sciences University tour set the tone for good conversations throughout the day. This visit had dual purposes: for John and me to discuss our STFM work for the upcoming year and for me to see and hear some of the amazing work going on in the Oregon family medicine department.

1–3 pm       
Met with John. This is where John and I began the first of several conversations about how we’re going to work together to move the strategic plan forward using his specific talents and interest. Getting a glimpse of members’ offices is a side benefit that shares insight into a person’s personality.

3–4 pm    
Met with first-year family medicine residents. This was a treat. I meet a lot of faculty but don’t get to interact with residents very often. This group of bright doctors was willing to share their thoughts about teaching and how they see themselves (or don’t) in this role. Thank you for your time and candor.

4–4:15 pm 
Surprise visit with second-year resident Laurel Witt, MD. I coached Laurel when she played for Power Angle Juniors, her high school volleyball club team. What a pleasure to reconnect after all these years. I’m still proud to have been a part of her life.

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