Seeking Wellness Speakers

Physician stress and burnout was a problem long before the pandemic. But COVID-19 has made being a health care worker much more difficult. In these unprecedented times, it’s even more important for doctors to take care of themselves. As the saying goes, you have to take care to give care.
 
In light of this, the OOA is hosting a half-day CME webinar early next year focused on physician wellness. As preparation begins, we are seeking speakers on the following topics:

• Preventing and recognizing physician burnout
• The role of physical health for the attending physician
• Mindfulness

If you have experience in these or any related topic and are willing to share your knowledge with your peers, let us know by completing the online form.

Presenters receive an honorarium, complete a simple disclosure form, provide objectives, and present their expertise with the help of slides. Since this wellness program is virtual, presentations could be recorded in advance with a live Q&A on the day of the seminar.

Tell Us What You Think

Planning for the 2022 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium has begun—and we want to hear from you! If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do! Attendees at the Virtual Symposium this year received the survey link via email earlier this week.
 
The survey is very short. There are six multiple choice questions and should take about a minute to complete.

Each year we work to ensure the Symposium offers a quality CME program. With the pandemic, we’re also working to make sure it is as safe and accessible as possible. There are issues such as employer restrictions on travel, venue requirements, capability of distancing, and other concerns that impact the event.
 
Be sure to mark your calendar, April 28-May 1, for next year’s Symposium!

Call for Nominations: OOA Resident Trustee

The Ohio Osteopathic Association is accepting nominations for the resident position on the Board of Trustees. The OOA Board is the administrative and executive body of the association. This position will serve a one-year term.
 
The OOA represents osteopathic medical students, doctors of osteopathic medicine, as well as several hospitals as institutional members. The mission of the OOA is to promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine in Ohio.
 
Self-nominations are encouraged. To submit a nomination, upload your CV and letter of interest here.

Cases Decline, Boosters Now Approved for All Three Vaccines

This week, Ohio surpassed 1.5 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. The good news is the state’s cases per 100,000 people dropped to 419.2 cases, almost 100 fewer than reported last week. Per the CDC, rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people are considered high transmission. There are no Ohio counties with fewer than 100 cases.
 
Over the last three weeks, Ohio is averaging 246 hospitalizations daily and 23 ICU admissions daily.
 
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is preparing for the rollout of the Pfizer pediatric formulation in the coming weeks. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 will be a new product configuration with new packaging, new preparation, and a new national drug code. The current product for adults and adolescents should not be used in children. ODH efforts will include vaccine clinics in schools and partnerships with 260 school districts across the state.
 
Late yesterday the CDC endorsed recommendations for booster doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and also endorsed the mix-and-match approach.
 
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

As of this afternoon, 64.30% of eligible Ohioans (age 12 and up) have started the vaccine process.

P&T Committee Seeks Two DOs

In accordance with ORC 5164.7510 the Ohio Department of Medicaid is seeking two OOA representatives to serve on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee.
 
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending medications and related products for the preferred drug list. The Unified Preferred Drug List (UPDL) is maintained through a review of current evidence-based medicine and based on the professional judgment of physicians, pharmacists, and other experts.
 
Composed of 10 members, the Committee meets quarterly, in-person, in Columbus. The next meeting is January 12, 2022. More information about the Committee, including a roster and meeting minutes, is here.
 
If you are interested, contact Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.
 
The OOA extends thanks and appreciation to Nathan Samsa, DO, PharmD, and Jennifer Gwilym, DO, for their service on the committee.

Petition Process Opens Next Month

The next submission period for medical marijuana qualifying conditions is November 1 - December 31.
 
Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. If a condition has been previously rejected, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request.
 
The current qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana use in Ohio are: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis
 
Details about the petition process can be found here.

Legislative Update

The Senate Health Committee addressed several legislative proposals this week. HB 138, regarding the scope of emergency medical services, occupied much of the agenda on Wednesday. Discussion centered on restrictions on first responders, who under current law may not follow do-not-resuscitate orders signed by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Witnesses said it is necessary that EMTs in the state are granted the ability to honor legally issued DNRs.

Other bills of interest that were heard this week include:

• HB 122 which establishes and modifies requirements regarding the provision of telehealth services.
• HB 193 regarding electronic prescriptions and schedule II controlled substances. 
• HB 253 which establishes universal health care coverage for all Ohio residents.