Primed and AAFP accreditation

Can you send me any more information that prompted the PriMed issue? I have written them numerous times and asked why they do not list AAFP accreditation, and they assure me they will have it when we attend. That never happens. The argument that drug companies sponsor it and it is biased has been around for years even at our national meetings. Only if we let them be biased should it be a problem. The speakers that I have heard do emphasize the products they are sponsored by, but what makes the meetings credible are the questions fielded from the audience.

Some very good teachers of family medicine give many of the lectures, and they are supplementing their income by doing so. What should happen is that we should push for all Primed speakers be Family Medicine or Internal Medicine, primary care teaching, physicians.

May I suggest that the RIAFP work on getting a grant to support development of our own programs throughout the year, with the use of our members as speakers, including practicing MDs without bias. In other words, start a Primary Care Speakers Bureau, with financial help initially from a grant, and I am sure Brown University and lits faculty would help.

Our own meetings should be one day, probably Saturdays, and at key, easily reached locations. When the pharmaceutical companies see what we are doing, then they will want to be a part by exhibiting and contributing "no strings" money only. RI Primary Care CME Cooperative would be a good name.

Finally, not one of the Primed online free CME programs give us AAFP Credit!! I have written them many times and now given up.

Let me know when the next important RIAFP meeting is scheduled. I am starting 3 days a week in January, and maybe can contribute some time, if needed.

I am furious about what Primed is doing in RI. I will be contacting national today to see if there is anything they can do to intervene.
Margaret Sun

I do not like the idea of a Friday only mtg

I do not like the idea of a Friday only mtg. because many RIAFP members are able to attend Sat. only. Also, I've enjoyed the Fri. and Sat. evening dinners. I think at this point we should keep the original dates as you have mentioned you are going to do. I also am in favor of direct communication with PriMed to hear there version/timeline of how things developed. You probably have already done this, but I would see if AAFP has heard of other examples of this around the country. You might also research what AAP and ACP have experienced since I would think they would be also targets of PriMed if, indeed, this was a purposeful attempt to draw RIAFP members away from their annual event.

RIAFP and Primed

_

Sorry to be a lawyer about this, but is there decent evidence of their intention both here and in other locations? Is this something you’d consider suing them over, either for an injunction on their co-scheduling the conference or for damages?
__________________________________

Would suggest a single day on June 6th or to to go June 6th to Lunch on June 7th
___________________________

We need to defend our meeting and our Academy!!! Let's keep our dates, build the best meeting in history, broaded our audience, and beat them at their own game.

The RIH/Miriam Department of Family and Community medicine will be there in force.

______________________________

Probably by bringing in the other primary care specialties and having something of a policy focus, with big political names. There will be an election in November, and candidates will be looking for places to speak...

____________________________

All docs need to know, if they don’t already, that PriMed is all “lectures” sponsored by the pharmaceutical industries to sell their drug! Without dissemination of this information and a boycott by ALL physicians and other health care providers, PriMed will continue to succeed.

_______________________________

I think to be effective in attracting folks away from Primed we'd have to change the meeting date by about a month or more. I visited the web site. They are offering only 8.75 CME and will have "case-based" CME but have not yet declared what the cases will about. We may have a chance to blitz our members to get them to come. I don't know.....

May I suggest that we all get some input from some trusted colleagues to see what they think and then meet January 2.

_____________________

Kim

I think Don raised an interesting question. I e-mailed him to ask if we would need proof of intent to have a lawyer send a "cease and desist" type of letter. I would think the legal standard for damages or an injunction would be much higher.

I would vote for either keeping the meeting in June as we planned and really pushing the membership to support our chapter or moving to early April if the hotel has availability. I guess some of my choice would depend on what feedback you get.

_________________________________________

I agree with Dr Fine,

Let’s keep the same program and fight..
we will be there.
_____________________________--

Dear Kim,

Perhaps I am naïve. But what does Pri-Med have to gain by competing with the RIAFP? I do not think the drug companies (who seem to be the $ behind pri-med) are that stupid.

I think the idea of a one day meeting--perhaps at the Warwick Crowne plaza would attract the docs from the city and "us country folks in South County".

A few years back there used to be a couple of single day meetings in different seasons. I found these easier to attend. They were also less costly-- or seemed that way because the cost was spread out.

Thanks for all you do.

____________________________

How can we complain directly to PriMed?

Have they been addressed re this?

_______________________________

Hi,
Thanks for the info about PriMed.
I will make every attempt to attend this year's RIAFP conference,
however you decide to hold it.
I hope the national AAFP can be of some assistance in at least
publicizing this trend if not objecting to it more formally.
I have attended a couple of PriMed events and find them biased. The
information you are sharing today seals my decision to boycott them
altogether from now on, and I would urge the RIAFP to suggest that all
its members do the same.
Thanks again for the info, and Happy New Year!

Doctor of Nursing Practice? Anyone have thoughts?