THE WEEKLY DOSE

July 3, 2016 Vol. 5, No. 26

TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD

Texas Medical Board (TMB) coming to BCMS July 27

Attention members: The TMB will offer a one-hour presentation with CME on Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the BCMS headquarters. TMB executive director, Mari Robinson, JD, will deliver the presentation, which will provide an overview of the Board’s licensing and enforcement programs in addition to a legislative and policy update. The TMB requires a mandatory commitment of a minimum 20 attendees for an in-person presentation.

Please RSVP by July 25 to Mary Nava at mary.nava@bcms.org.

LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS

CALL FOR BCMS LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS

It is time to nominate physicians to serve in

leadership positions of the

Bexar County Medical Society in 2017.

Nomination Deadline - 5 p.m., JULY 13, 2016.

In accordance with Chapter 8, Section 8.31, of the Bylaws of the Bexar County Medical Society, "Each member shall have the opportunity to correspond in writing for the purpose of submitting nominations to the Nominating Committee. Nominations shall . . . reflect nominee’s character, integrity, attributes, and qualifications for the position."

The BCMS is calling for written nominations for the following

positions with terms beginning in 2017:

□ President-elect – assists President; is ex-officio member of all boards and committees; and becomes acquainted with all matters pertaining to work and affairs of the Society to properly prepare for office of President, which office is automatically assumed at expiration of one-year term as President-elect. President-elect shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of five years.

□ Vice President – assists President; presides in President’s absence; and, on President’s death, resignation or removal, succeeds to presidency. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed one term – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of five years.

□ Secretary – makes certain adequate records of meetings of Society and Board of Directors are maintained; is responsible for such records and reports as may be required by Board of Directors or Bylaws of Society or TMA. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of two years.

□ Treasurer – makes regular reports to Board of Directors on financial status of Society. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of two years.

□ Director – 3 at-large positions – establishes and implements policies of Society; acts upon applications for membership upon recommendation from Board of Censors; conducts disciplinary hearings as prescribed by Hearings Procedures Manual; is responsible for long-range planning; decides all questions not specifically delegated to other authorities. Meetings are held a minimum of six times per year – term of office shall be three years; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms.

□ Member Board of Censors – 2 positions – supervises medical ethics of membership and counsels individual members where circumstances warrant; examines applicants for membership; investigates suspected violations of code of conduct and prefers charges when indicated; receives investigative charges of unethical conduct made against Society members by another member; and, upon request, reviews findings of Board of Mediations and makes proper disposition of each case. Meets monthly – term of office shall be three years – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of ten years.

□ Member Board of Mediations – 5 positions – receives, investigates, and mediates complaints from patients or insurance companies brought against member of Society; hears matters of unprofessional conduct, violations of principles of medical ethics or any other matter involving patient/physician relationship; hears and/or reviews insurance complaints; investigates and supervises ethical deportment of membership and receives complaints from general public. Meets monthly – term of office shall be three years – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of ten years.

□ Delegate/Alternate Delegate to TMA – 30 positions – studies needs and desires of medical profession in Bexar County in its relation to state and national associations to effectively and intelligently represent the membership of Society in TMA House of Delegates (two meetings a year). Meets at least four times a year in San Antonio – term of office shall be two years.

□ Member Nominating Committee – 2 positions – studies the challenges and leadership requirements of the organization. The committee will commence its functions from January 1 of each year. Meetings of the committee shall be held at least two times a year and as often as necessary – term of office is one year. Members of the committee will not seek an elected position (other than Delegate or Alternate Delegate) in the Society.

Please seriously consider getting involved with the leadership of BCMS; don’t leave it to someone else to watch out for the practice of medicine. Below, please indicate which position you are interested in running for or for which you are nominating a colleague. If you are nominating yourself or someone else please indicate below. Thank you!

Your Name: Nominating Self: Phone:

Position:

Name of Person You are Nominating: Phone:

Nominations must be submitted in writing via email, fax, or mail.

CVs will be required from all nominees.

Click here for an online nomination form.

Or Mail to:

Bexar County Medical Society

Attn: Nominating Committee

P.O. Box 781145, San Antonio, TX 78278

or by email to bcms@bcms.org or fax to (210) 301-2150

Nomination Deadline - 5 p.m., JULY 13, 2016.

DIABETES EDUCATION

Empower Your Patients with Diabetes Self-Management Education

Diabetes education works. But less than 60 percent of people with diabetes have had formal diabetes education. Physicians can increase that number by referring their patients with diabetes to Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME).

Research shows that people who have received diabetes education are more likely to:

· Use primary care and preventive services

· Take medications as prescribed

· Control their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels

· Have lower health costs

The Texas Diabetes Council and the Texas Department of State Health Services have created new materials for providers to empower their patients with diabetes through DSME. The message to patients is, “Do you have diabetes? Help yourself to better health.”

Physicians and healthcare providers can access the updated Texas Diabetes Council toolkit, download or order free educational materials, and locate local DSME programs at www.tdctoolkit.org. Materials include:

· A poster for display in physician offices

· An informational card and fact sheet for distribution to patients

· A patient referral form in tear-off pads for physicians to refer patients to a DSME program. The form also features an algorithm that defines four critical times to assess, provide, and adjust DSME

Diabetes self-management education is a benefit covered by Medicare and most health plans when provided by a diabetes educator within an accredited/recognized program.