AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Your Academy is focused on moving physiatry forward. Membership is even MORE valuable...and exciting in 2017. Check out our new initiatives below and renew today!

• Visioning PM&R Bold—Be Bold and help define the future of the specialty. With the help of all 11,000+ physiatrists, AAPM&R is gathering qualitative and quantitative insights to develop a bold vision for PM&R.
• Physiatry is More Than—To celebrate the work of physiatrists and capture the essence of PM&R, your stories must be told. Complete the sentence “Physiatry is more than ___,” tell your story, and share it with your peers.
• Spine Quality Outcomes Database—Our new clinical data registry is focused on quality improvement for the spine patient. Use this tool to meet 2017 MIPS reporting requirements and fulfill ABPMR MOC^® part IV requirements.

Check out the latest your Academy has to offer. Renew your 2017 Academy membership online now or call (847) 737-6000.

Dr. Sharon Gohari first became interested in physiatry in medical school—but not because of her studies. It was her father’s devastating MCA stroke, and the care that helped him overcome its effects that led her to physiatry. Seeing the progress her father made under Dr. Jim Sliwa’s care inspired her to pursue physiatry as a specialty. “I thought, this is what I need to do, this is my calling!” Click on the video below to view Dr. Gohari’s story.

Do you have a story to tell? Complete the sentence and join the conversation at www.pmrismorethan.org. We want to hear your story!

Shortly after our big week in New Orleans, we were back on the road visiting Dallas, Texas. Last week, we met with 40 physiatrists in the area to discuss Bold ideas for the future of PM&R. While networking with each other, attendees discussed physiatry's strengths and opportunities for the field. We also visited local practices and hosted a focus group to dive deep into the experiences of physiatrists in the Dallas area. Thank you to those who joined us! Stay tuned for a video recap.

We're on the West coast this week! If you're near Seattle, join us for a community gathering tomorrow, November 10—register here. Watch the recap videos from our recent trips to Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City to learn more about our community gatherings and the Bold conversations we're having across the country. 

Our corporate supporters allow us to enhance the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, carry forth the Academy’s mission and goals, and improve patient care. We are very grateful for their support!

• Industry Relations Council (IRC)—dedicated to building collaborative relationships with industry to reach goals of mutual concern, including improved patient care.
• Institution Partners Council (IPC)—developed as a way to formalize engagement between institutions and the Academy so that together we can help “transform the focus of health care to value function.”
• Corporate Supporters—these companies demonstrate their commitment to the Academy and the PM&R community by supporting various activities.
  
  

You can play a major role in the 2017 Annual Assembly—submit your session proposals and abstracts! ALL submissions are now due December 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. Click on the links below to learn more—please read this information carefully as there are several changes to the submission process.

• Submit a session proposal
• Submit an abstract
  • New for 2017: AAPM&R is now accepting abstracts in the Quality Improvement (QI) category. PM&R residency QI projects will be eligible for submission as an abstract.

The new deadline for Annual Assembly education proposals and abstract submissions is part of a larger effort to enhance educational offerings at our Annual Assemblies and further incorporate research into session content. We continue to strive to provide an innovative educational environment that showcases the latest in research impacting physiatry. We look forward to seeing your submissions for 2017.

Volunteers are needed for the Academy’s expert item writing committee charged with the development of educational resources for practicing physiatrists and residents. Committee members will receive question writing orientation, and ongoing development and coaching to become expert question writers. Learn more about this opportunity and indicate your interest by November 21.

Video clips from the 2016 Annual Business Meeting at the Annual Assembly are now available. Watch Gregory M. Worsowicz, MD, MBA, deliver the Report of the President below and view more here.

Fine tune your sports medicine skills—browse our collection of resources on mē^® to learn more about this clinical area or if you’re looking for a simple refresher.

• Advanced Sports Medicine Concepts and Controversies
  SAE-P
• Paralympic Sports Medicine and Science SAE-P
• PM&R Journal articles
• Various case studies, videos, print resources, and podcasts
  

It’s that time of the year again to finalize your CME requirements. To help meet the requirements, set forth by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), your Academy offers CME credits with your membership through our PM&R Journal.

Each issue offers 3 articles that are eligible for free CME—that’s 36 complimentary credits per year! Take a look at all of the articles currently available on mē^® and simply sign in to access them.

In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will apply a downward payment adjustment to those who did not satisfactorily report for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) in 2015. If you believe you have been incorrectly assessed the 2017 PQRS payment adjustment, submit an informal review through November 30.

An audio recording and transcript are available from the October 20 call on the 2015 Supplemental Quality and Resource Use Reports (QRURs), confidential feedback reports for medical group practices, and solo practices on resource use for fee-for-service episodes of care.

On Tuesday, November 15 from 1:30 pm-3 pm (ET), CMS will host a Quality Payment Program final rule call. To register, visit MLN Connects^® Event Registration (space may be limited).

On Thursday, December 1 from 1:30 pm-3 pm (ET), CMS will host an IRF and LTCH Quality Measure Report call. To register, visit MLN Connects^® Event Registration (space may be limited).

CMS will begin publically displaying the NHSN data on the compare websites for IRFs and LTCHs in the next quarterly refresh in Spring 2017, instead of Fall 2016. Providers will have the chance to review their HAI data and inquire about data they believe to be discrepant. IRFs and LTCHs will receive preview reports in December 2016 for the data that will be displayed in Spring 2017. For information on use of the rebaselined data and how to monitor your data, the following resources are now available:

• Guidance for IRFs on the IRF QRP web page
• Guidance for LTCHs on the LTCH QRP web page
• Register for a webinar on November 16
  

CMS released its 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. Your Academy is reviewing the rule and its impact on physiatry. Stay tuned to www.aapmr.org for updates.

• Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, medical director of the brain injury and stroke program at TIRR Memorial Hermann, discusses depression in stroke survivors and how to improve recovery. Read more.

Do you have a newsworthy story to share with your peers? Send us an email at: pressinquiries@aapmr.org.