Two new white papers have been released by New York Chapter American College of Physicians (NYACP) Committees, one from the Geriatrics Task Force and one from the Ethics and Professionalism Committee. Details on the white papers can be read below.
The Ethics and Professionalism Committee - "New York State’s 2010 Family Healthcare Decisions Act (FHCDA): What NYACP Members Need to Know About Withholding and Withdrawing Life Sustaining Therapies for Adult Patients Without Capacity"
This white paper aims to educate practicing physicians on the New York’s 2010 FHCDA law, and clarify numerous questions surrounding the law, including: the role of guardianship, how to address conflict of interest and moral distress; when to enroll in hospice, how to implement a DNR, and when to invoke the Ethics review committee, and the process in New York State.
Read the white paper here.
The Geriatrics Task Force - "A Better Understanding of Geriatric Medicine"
This white paper outlines and advocates for geriatric-specific training in medical school and residency, as the geriatric-specific workforce capacity has decreased over the last decade. The white paper details why geriatric training is functionally different from general internal medicine training, and forecasts the need for an even greater geriatrician workforce in the near future. The paper also provides solutions to the problem, suggesting training programs for undergraduates, medical students and residents, and for higher reimbursement rates in the geriatric subspecialty. This paper is currently being used by the New York State Senate Health Committee to craft bill S.6257 (Hannon), which establishes a physician loan forgiveness program for geriatric medicine.
Read the white paper here.
The Ethics and Professionalism Committee: Ellen C. Meltzer, MD, MSc, FACP, Chair, NYACP Ethics and Professionalism Committee; Jack P. Freer MD, FACP; Cynthia X. Pan, MD, FACP, AGSF; Daniel Pomerantz, MD, MPH, FACP; Timothy E. Quill, MD, MACP, FAAHPM; Elaine Schattner, MD, FACP.
The Geriatrics Task Force: Paula Lester, MD, FACP, Geriatrics Task Force Chair; Sharon Brangman, MD, FACP; TS Dharmarajan, MD, MACP; Tina Dobsevage, MD, FACP; Daniel King, MD; John Maese, MD, MACP; Ida Messana, MD, FACP: Donna Seminara, MD, FACP; Anita Szerszen, DO, FACP; Eleanor Weinstein, MD, FACP.