For AMSA’s 24th National Primary Care Week (NPCW), we have decided to focus on a wide variety of public health issues. We are proud to see that there is progress in improving health outcomes through advocacy. However, we must continue to fight to ensure that everyone has the right to equitable and just care. Join us during the week as we continue to improve the specialty of primary care to change patients’ lives.
Sessions
Monday 9:00-10:00pm ET: Join Dr. Kelly Thibert and Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera as they introduce National Primary Care Week. Dr. Kelly Thibert is a family medicine physician practicing ambulatory medicine in Bradenton, Florida. She is a former National President of AMSA where she focused on physician and trainee wellness, reproductive health including abortion, LGBTQ healthcare and fighting for quality, affordable healthcare for all. Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera is currently completing a Fellowship in Surgical Procedures in Family Med in North Carolina. She has been with AMSA for the past 13 years. She is currently AMSA’s Graduate Trustee and is working on engaging AMSA alumni.
Tuesday 8:00-9:00pm ET:“View from Primary Care Providers on the Frontlines of Abortion Care – a panel discussion with AMSA Alumni” Reproductive health care, including abortion care, are essential components of primary care. The June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has impacted reproductive health and abortion care in states across the country – 13 states now totally banned abortion care, and maternal mortality is nearly 3 times higher in states with bans. Join this session to hear from 3 primary care physicians who are abortion care providers and AMSA alumni. Learn how their practices have changed since the Dobbs decision and about providing abortion care in primary care settings under the current political climate.
Thursday 7:30-8:30pm ET: “Lowering Rx Drug Prices in the U.S.” Prescription drugs are an essential component of healthcare in the U.S. today – 48.6% report using at least 1 Rx drug in the past 30 days, and 24% report using 3 or more Rx drugs during the last 30 days. U.S. Rx drugs prices average 2.56 times higher than in other countries – 3 in 10 U.S. adults did not take their medicines as prescribed during 2022 because of the cost. Rx drugs cannot help people if they cannot afford to fill their prescriptions and take them as directed. Good News, help is on the way! Medicare is no longer prohibited from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for Rx discounts as other countries do routinely. On September 1, the first 10 Rx drugs Medicare will negotiate discounts on were announced. Join this session to learn what you can do to help spread the word about this momentous change, and how you can help lower Rx prices for all of us! Guest Speakers: Margarida Jorge, Lower Drug Prices Now Campaign Director & Executive Director, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and Isaiah Cochran, MD
Friday 7:00-8:00pm ET: “Addressing Responsible Opioid Prescription” Join us for an enlightening session on “Addressing Responsible Opioid Prescription” featuring Dr. Andrew Kolodny. Dr. Kolodny, the medical director for the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative and President of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, will share his expert insights on the critical need for cautious and responsible opioid prescribing practices. This engaging session will explore the current landscape of opioid use and misuse, the role of healthcare professionals in curbing the opioid epidemic, and evidence-based strategies for safer pain management.
Want to join us? Sign up here to receive access info for NPCW sessions: