News and Updates from ACP National

December 2024

Introducing the AI-Powered Obesity Management Conversations Tool
 

ACP now offers an innovative new Obesity Management Conversations Tool that helps ACP members practice applying counseling concepts learned in Obesity Management 1: Lifestyle Modification to enhance their communication skills when counseling on weight management. The tool offers the opportunity to practice having effective, evidence-based conversations about weight with patients in challenging, virtual patient scenarios including the following features:

• Practice real-time conversations with a simulated patient, using either your microphone or keyboard.
• Apply the 5As framework (ask, assess, advise, agree, and assist) under the pressure of a realistic ten-minute session to approximate a busy clinical environment.
• Gain valuable, individualized feedback with evidence-based insights to refine your approach and opportunities to practice again with other patient scenarios.  

Visit the Obesity Management Learning Hub to explore the Conversations Tool and other related resources today.

Internal Medicine Physicians Stress the Importance of Vaccines and Evidence-Based Public Health Policies

Statement attributable to:
Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, MACP
President, American College of Physicians

PHILADELPHIA November 15, 2024 – Incidences of vaccine preventable diseases are increasing in the United States. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that as of the beginning of November, five times as many cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported as there were at the same time last year. We have also already seen 16 outbreaks of measles across the country in 2024, as compared to only four in all of 2023. As internal medicine physicians on the front lines of patient care, we understand what needs to be done to mitigate the spread of preventable diseases. Vaccines are vital to our ability to prevent diseases that threaten public health. They help prevent the spread of disease, protect against hospitalization, and can protect against long-term health issues, especially for those who are most vulnerable to serious complications. The American College of Physicians (ACP) remains concerned about the spread of disinformation and misinformation regarding vaccination and treatment, and strongly supports using the best-possible evidence to guide medical care and public health policies.

It is critical that policymakers and government officials understand the importance of vaccines, evidence-based medicine, and other ways that our public health infrastructure protects all of us. A sufficient public health system is essential to preventing illness and promoting health in society, assuring that our patients can live healthy lives, and helping to safeguard the health of everyone in our country. As the ACP discussed in our recent policy paper on strengthening the public health infrastructure, the federal government should protect and strengthen the public health infrastructure for the well-being of all Americans.

Members of the Board of Regents Take Action on BOG Resolutions at October 26-27, 2024, Meeting
 

A summary of actions taken by members of the Board of Regents on resolutions debated at the Fall 2024 Board of Governors (BOG) meeting is now available. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the BOR.

If you have an idea you would like to suggest to ACP, consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or local ACP chapter. Visit your ACP chapter website for more information on how to contact your Governor or chapter staff about proposing a resolution.

NEW Career and Professional Development Program – ACP Physician Peer Coaching

Available exclusively to ACP members, the ACP Physician Peer Coaching Program offers the opportunity to connect with experienced physician coaches who understand the unique challenges internal medicine physicians face. Coaches help you navigate the next stage of your personal and career development journeys with confidence and achieve meaningful change.  

Choose from several coaching options designed to meet your unique needs:  
 
Available Coaching Services:  

• ACP Physician Peer Coach Training Program–$4,000
  Become an ACP-trained Physician Peer Coach. You will learn evidence-based, validated coaching skills from leading expert, Kerri Palamara MD, MACP, while supporting your own professional development and helping your peers at the same time. Fully-trained coaches are then eligible to be hired to coach for national ACP programs.  
   
• 1-hr Individual Coaching Sessions–$275/session
  Get personalized, one-on-one support tailored to help you achieve your career and professional goals.  
   
• 1-hr Group Coaching Sessions –$110/session
  Engage in a focused, supportive group session on a variety of career and professional development topics, including: Navigating Career Transitions; Re-imagine Your Future; Identify Your Strengths; and How to Silence Your Inner Critic.
   
• Group Coaching: 6-month Bundle–$400 for four 1-hr sessions
  Get on-going coaching support over 6 months that includes 4 group coaching sessions to support your professional development journey.

Information on Recent Shortage of IV Fluids

The American College of Physicians has heard from members with their concerns about the recent shortage of IV fluids in the wake of flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The federal government has been taking action to address the shortage.

• The Department of Health and Human Services has circulated a letter with information about the shortage.
• The Food and Drug Administration has a website with updates about how they are addressing the shortage.
• Baxter manufacturing is also updating their website with information about the status of their manufacturing facilities.
• Guidance on how best to conserve or substitute fluids is available from HHS and American Society for Health-System Pharmacists.

Introducing the All-New ACP MKSAP: The Future of Internal Medicine Learning and Mastery!

The next generation of MKSAP is the all-new ACP MKSAP. This edition of MKSAP will provide the most current content available for internal medicine and the subspecialties, a robust question bank, and a portfolio of exciting new features and study tools, all presented on an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

The program includes 16 content sections spanning internal medicine and its subspecialties.
A single, robust question bank consisting of almost 2,000 questions at launch, including the traditional in-depth learning questions, Virtual Dx image-based questions, and MKSAP Quick Qs, PLUS over 1,700 adaptive learning–based flashcards.
Confirmation of Relevant Education (CORE) Questions—unlock additional questions to challenge yourself and earn badges and a certificate to document your learning ACP MKSAP offers two flexible subscription options. Learners can choose a 1-year or 3-year subscription. Before ACP MKSAP becomes available on February 3, 2025, learners can subscribe during the current discounted presale and receive immediate access to bonus educational content. The presale offer is valid through February 2nd, 2025.

Two bundles are available during the presale:

• Learners that already have MKSAP 19 will receive immediate access to 300 all-new multiple-choice questions in their question bank to further test and assess their knowledge.
• Learners that don’t have MKSAP 19 will receive immediate complimentary access to MKSAP 19 Complete Green. (MKSAP 19 access has been extended to August 31, 2026 for all users.)

All members can take advantage of special ACP member pricing, and bulk discounts are available for orders of 10+.

Learn More at: https://www.acponline.org/featured-products/acp-mksap

Calling all Early Career Physicians!
Join the exclusive ACP Guided Fellowship Program

Take your career to the next level with the ACP Guided Fellowship Program—an exclusive, structured path designed to help you achieve ACP Fellowship over three years. You’ll receive professional development, personalized support, and invaluable guidance as you work toward earning your FACP credential.
If you completed residency in June 2024 or June 2023, don’t miss this chance to join for FREE!

Learn more at acponline.org/guided-facp

Lost Access to Your Member Benefits? Renew Today!

Missing something? Renew your ACP membership today to access the tools, knowledge, and connections that will empower you to embrace the ever-changing landscape in medicine. Don’t miss out on hundreds of hours of learning opportunities, complementary subscriptions to Annals of Internal Medicine and DynaMedexTM, professional development resources, and tools to support your well-being. Additionally, you’ll grow your professional network as you connect with a global community of colleagues committed to supporting internal medicine physicians worldwide. 

Renew your membership today to access all your member-exclusive benefits.