The American Medical Association reported their House of Delegates passed a number of resolutions with a public health focus at their annual interim meeting this week. Get the scoop on the key issues they approved:
- Epidemic information: After the Ebola outbreak, physicians agreed the AMA should continue to provide information and educational resources on epidemics or pandemics that could affect the U.S.
- E-cigarette regulation: The delegates approved a resolution to make 18 the minimum age to buy electronic cigarettes, regulate e-cigarette marketing and ban claims that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking, according to the report.
- Drunk driving: The House of Delegates agreed to support sobriety checkpoints and called for state medical societies to lift bans on them. Sobriety checkpoints are places that allow police officers to check every driver or a sample of drivers for intoxication in order to reduce drunk driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 12 states do not conduct checkpoints.
- Pharmacist vaccinations: The AMA passed a policy regarding pharmacists who vaccinate people who do not have access to medical homes or physician practices. Pharmacists are responsible for documenting the vaccines on the patient's medical record and for working with physicians to ensure patients follow up with primary care providers, according to the report.
More articles on physician issues:
Northern Virginia hospital acquires 6-physician group
You've got mail: 8 findings on physician-patient online communication
Key issues and strategies for successful physician alignment