Paying it Forward ...

Why do we need preceptors?

• Physicians are under more pressure for production in the clinic environment.
• There is a known need for expansion of the physician workforce, specifically in rural and underserved areas.
• Physicians are the only people who can train physicians.
• Physicians are more likely to practice in the same areas they trained.
• Community-based training models are necessary to meet this need.
• Strategies different from large university settings are needed to be successful in community training models.
  

• Physicians open their practices to trainees.
• Students carry more responsibility to direct their learning opportunities.
• Physicians act as mentors, not the professor.
• Physicians can learn to work with students without significant extra time.
• When students are incorporated into the daily workflow, they can save time.
• The model of how clinical learning takes place has changed because of outside forces (government regulations and funding, EHR’s, third-party payors).
  
  

Community vs University Training

• The preceptor is a mentor.
• Volunteer or a small stipend.
• Learning occurs when opportunities arise.
• Just in time learning.
• Student-directed learning with the course syllabus to guide.

• The preceptor is a professor.
• Salaried for the position.
• Learning occurs on a set schedule.
• Significant time in structured didactics.
• Institutional directed learning.
  
  Please consider becoming a preceptor and add to the education of our future physicians.  Please contact me with any concerns or questions.
  
  Daniel Brzusek DO
  Regional liaison for PNWU
  206-484-1498

Telehealth - Interested? 

Survey Results

• Physicians are providing telehealth by using platforms like doxy.me, bywinona.com, doctor.com. Practicing docs are also using telehealth to provide telehealth to patients that have moved out of state due to grandfathered policies during the pandemic.
• Employers are providing platforms for telehealth.
• Private practitioners are using telehealth in a variety of ways:
  • Using it nearly 100% of the time.
  • Connecting with patients via Zoom, FaceTime, independent free platforms, and others have hired an outside company to help.
  • Teamed up with small out-of-state hospitals to provide telehealth from WA state.
  • Psychiatry allows physicians to see all patients via video or phone.
    
• Some retired docs are using telehealth personally, but have not reinstated their licenses to provide care to supplement their incomes although they are interested ...
  

• Better, more uniform, reimbursement for telehealth  (same as in-person pricing).
• Provide independent malpractice insurance that allows physicians to work across state lines so they don't need to get insurance for part-time telehealth work.
• Ensure ongoing telehealth benefits for patients - their benefits won't be restricted after Covid emergency allowances are scheduled to end. 
• Allow out-of-state patients to have telehealth visits.
• Completely open availability of telehealth in all states.
  
• Create a national medical license. Remove state restrictions on telehealth. Allow physicians to provide telehealth across state lines post-pandemic which will increase accessibility. Licensing could be determined by the doctor's location, not the patients.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Most of the doctors wanted more information in the form of a conference, training flyer, and/or an opportunity to learn from others already engaged in telemedicine.
• "Patients LOVE telehealth and that it works very well in the mental health world as they can see patients in rural areas that would otherwise not have access to care."
• "There are significant challenges to establishing and maintaining rapport via video. Rapport is the basis for all medical practice, though it is often taken for granted... "
• "There is a missed opportunity for patients to control their own health records and share them with telehealth docs outside of their system."
• "KCMS helped me start by providing me with headsets and cameras - thank you!"
• "Totally retired and my license and insurance lapsed. Those are likely required to provide telehealth services, correct?" Yes, KCMS will address that at the conference.
• "Telehealth consults for KC docs were a real plus during Covid. Now docs are drawing back citing legal and liability concerns -- (which is) a real negative to care in distant or remote communities."