Moving Medicine

AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, with this panel of AMA Advocacy Resource Center attorneys continues their conversation on how the AMA is working with national, state and specialty medical societies to address these key legislative priorities. How are the key issues of prior authorization, scope of practice, and physician wellness playing out? What themes are emerging and how are they different than those of previous years?       ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Months into the 2025 state legislative sessions, how are the key issues of prior authorization, scope of practice, and physician wellness playing out? What themes are emerging and how are they different than those of previous years?  Led by AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, this panel of AMA Advocacy Resource Center attorneys talks about how the AMA is working with national, state and specialty medical societies to address these key legislative priorities.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Join this continued discussion on how to the AMA is working to address maternal mortality in the U.S.. The conversation is led by Dr. Willie Underwood III, Urologist and immediate past chair of the AMA board of trustees. Panelists include experts Maryanne C. Bombaugh, MD, MBA, MSc, member of the AMA Council on Legislation, Michael Rakotz, MD, vice president of Health Outcomes at the AMA, and AMA advocacy health equity director Jennifer Brown, JD.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With the U.S. having the highest maternal mortality and morbidity rates among developed countries, the AMA continues to sound the alarm to policymakers that a multi-faceted approach is needed, one which includes addressing the leading causes of preventable maternal deaths and investing in the physician workforce to improve access to maternity care. Dr. Willie Underwood III, Urologist and immediate past chair of the board of trustees, leads this panel discussion with experts Maryanne C. Bombaugh, MD, MBA, MSc, member of the AMA Council on Legislation, Michael Rakotz, MD, vice president of Health Outcomes at the AMA, and AMA advocacy health equity director Jennifer Brown, JD.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, editor-in-chief of JAMA and JAMA Network, and Stephen Parodi, MD, executive vice president of The Permanente Federation continue their conversation on how medical journals and research are evolving to build trust, meet needs of physicians, and leverage AI.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, editor-in-chief of JAMA and JAMA Network, and Stephen Parodi, MD, executive vice president of The Permanente Federation discuss how medical journals and research are evolving to build trust, meet needs of physicians, and leverage AI.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In part two of this series, physicians continue their discussion on the recent updates the Federation of State Medical Boards made to its recommendations relating to opioids and pain care. Physicians from the Federation include Humayun Chaudhry, DO, president and CEO, Sarvam TerKonda, MD, past chair, and Sherif Zaafran, MD. They join Dr. Michael Suk, Chair of the AMA Board of Trustees to discuss the updates.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Melissa Garretson, MD, member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees, and Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, explore the challenges adolescents face online and how physicians can support their overall health. From screen time to sleep deprivation, Dr. Garretson shares strategies to help manage unhealthy social media use.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A one-size-fits-all approach to caring for patients with pain is not a prudent way to manage care. In this episode, physicians discuss the recent updates the Federation of State Medical Boards made to its recommendations relating to opioids and pain care. Physicians from the Federation include Humayun Chaudhry, DO, president and CEO, Sarvam TerKonda, MD, past chair, and Sherif Zaafran, MD. They join Dr. Michael Suk, Chair of the AMA Board of Trustees to discuss the updates.    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved cannabis-derived medications for several indications. In this episode, family practitioner Randy Easterling, MD, highlights the current regulatory status of FDA-approved cannabis-derived medications and their approved uses.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Board-certified physician at Stanford Medicine, Smita Das, MD, PhD, MPH, and professor and director of Addiction Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, Kevin Gray, MD, discuss cannabis use and its effects on mental health and psychiatric disorders, including psychosocial outcomes from use and potentiation of psychiatric disorders. Common perceptions of use of cannabis for mental health are also discussed.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pain expert Samer Narouze, MD, PhD talks about the pharmacology of cannabis, including the chemical structures, mechanism of action in the body, and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. This episode also addresses clinical information related to potential drug-drug interactions and adverse events from use of these products.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Learn about potential for cannabis addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose. Board-certified physician at Stanford Medicine, Smita Das, MD, PhD, MPH, reviews screening, models of care, and treatment for cannabis use disorder.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As opioid overdose deaths surpass 100,000 annually in the U.S., the crisis has reached a devastating peak, and physicians play a critical role in addressing it. AMA President-Elect Bobby Mukkamala, MD, chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Taskforce explores the latest data, policy shifts, and clinical strategies that can help doctors balance pain management with addiction prevention. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ob-Gyn and addiction medicine physician Tricia Wright, MD, MS, DFASAM examines cannabis use during pregnancy, including why pregnant persons might use cannabis, the effects of prenatal exposure, and how to talk with pregnant patients about cannabis use.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Physicians Samer Narouze, MD, PhD and Ali Zarrabi, MD, focus on the intersection of cannabis use and pain, reviewing the scientific literature. They also highlight adverse events and challenges to utilization of cannabis for pain.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As access to cannabis products increases in the United States, there are potential health implications for children and adolescents. Maria H. Rahmandar, MD, physician at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, explores the risk factors, screening strategies, and impacts that cannabis use may have in this population.     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, immediate past chair of the AMA board of trustees and advocate for physician wellbeing, joins Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, to discuss the traditional barriers to overcoming the stigma of mental health in the medical community, how things are changing for the better, and resources for medical professionals in need. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

In the second part of this conversation, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, and AMA experts continue their discussion on the upcoming physician shortage and how to fix it. Experts include, Dr. John Andrews, vice president of graduate medical education innovations; senior attorney Alexis Pierce; and Christopher Sherin, assistant director in the Division of Congressional Affairs. 

Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, is joined by AMA experts to discuss the impending physician shortage and how to fix it. Experts from the AMA include, Dr. John Andrews, vice president of graduate medical education innovations; senior attorney Alexis Pierce; and Christopher Sherin, assistant director in the Division of Congressional Affairs. 

In part two, AMA immediate past president, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, and experts continue their discussion about new telehealth licensing models for physicians. Panelists include Clark Barrineau, assistant vice president of government affairs at the Medical Society of Virginia; Marschall Smith, executive director at the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; Dr. Sarvam TerKonda, immediate past chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards; Jared Augenstein, managing director at Manatt Health Strategies; and Kimberly Horvath, a senior attorney at the AMA.

Ved Gossain, MD, endocrinologist and former chair of the Senior Physicians Section Governing Council at the AMA talks about his career path and the importance of mentoring the next generation of physicians. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

AMA immediate past president, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld leads the discussion in this mini-series on new telehealth licensing models for physicians. In part one, experts Kimberly Horvath, senior attorney at the AMA and Jared Augenstein, managing director at Manatt Health Strategies, provide background on telehealth state licensure as it stands. 

AMA President Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld leads a discussion with three other physicians on the use of AI in health care. Panelists are Dr. Claire Novorol, the founder and chief medical officer of Ada Health, a digital health company using AI to help diagnose and treat patients; Dr. Mark Sendak, a population health data science lead at Duke Institute for Health Innovation; and Dr. Alex Stinard, an emergency room physician and regional medical director of Envision Health Care in Florida. 

Family medicine physician Alex McDonald, MD and Audiey Kao, MD, PhD, vice president of ethics at the AMA, discuss how ethical principles can help physicians and medical students navigate complex medical decisions, ensuring patient safety and well-being. He also explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in health care. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

In part two of this series, panelists pick up their conversation discussion emerging trends this year around three key issues affecting patients and physicians: prior authorization, scope of practice and physician wellness.

As states are kicking off their legislative sessions this year, what trends are emerging related to three key issues affecting patients and physicians: prior authorization, scope of practice and physician wellness? How are legislators and regulators shifting their approaches to these issues?  Hear the latest from a panel of AMA attorneys who work hand in hand on these issues and more with state and specialty medical societies.

Margaret Lozovatsky, MD, FAMI, VP of Digital Health Innovations at the American Medical Association, explores the partnership between physicians and artificial intelligence in health care, focusing on AI's role in clinical decision support. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

Megan L. Srinivas, MD, MPH, infectious disease physician, talks about how physicians can use stories to build trust, improve patient care, influence policy changes, and combat medical misinformation. Dr. Srinivas is also a clinical instructor, and translational health policy researcher. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

In part two of this series, Dr. Willie Underwood, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees continues to lead our panel discussion on what's next in Medicare payment reform. Panelists include Dr. G. Ray Callas, president elect of the Texas Medical Association; Katie Orrico, senior vice president of Health Policy and Advocacy at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Todd Askew, senior vice president of Advocacy at the AMA. 

Dr. Willie Underwood, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees moderates this panel discussion on what's next in Medicare payment reform. Panelists include Dr. G. Ray Callas, president elect of the Texas Medical Association; Katie Orrico, senior vice president of Health Policy and Advocacy at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Todd Askew, senior vice president of Advocacy at the AMA. 

Physician experts discuss how trauma-informed care can be incorporated within broader integrated care efforts. With a focus on the pediatric population, they cover the developmental aspect of trauma and its impacts across the lifespan, highlighting key actions physicians can take to address it with their patients. Physician guests include two professors of pediatrics, Heather C. Forkey, MD and W. David Lohr, MD.

Christine Sinsky, MD, vice president of professional satisfaction at the AMA, talks about physician wellness, terminology around physician well-being, and current drivers of burnout. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD.

In part two, physician experts discuss the key takeaways from part one and go through the next patient scenario to demonstrate best practices in geriatric care using behavioral health integration (BHI). Physician guests are David Baron, MSEd, DO; Karen Dionesotes, MD, MPH, psychiatry resident; Stephanie Nothelle, MD, assistant professor of medicine. For more about the BHI Collaborative Overcoming Obstacles Series, go to www.ama-assn.org/bhiresources.

Three physicians highlight best practices in geriatric care and actions their teams can take using behavioral health integration (BHI) to provide quality, whole-person care to the patient and their caregivers. Physician guests are David Baron, MSEd, DO; Karen Dionesotes, MD, MPH, psychiatry resident; Stephanie Nothelle, MD, assistant professor of medicine. For more about the BHI Collaborative Overcoming Obstacles Series, go to www.ama-assn.org/bhiresources.

Physicians today face disinformation, a critical shortage of medical professionals, policies that complicate patient care and more. In this episode, Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, president of the American Medical Association explores strategies for addressing these issues with executive vice president at The Permanente Federation, Stephen Parodi, MD. This episode was created in collaboration with Permanente Medicine. Watch it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPRxBAQ7ak

Hear from physician experts on strategies to address vaccine hesitancy with patients and updates on current COVID variants, flu, and RSV vaccines. This episode was created in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, and is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD, featuring guest Sandra Fryhofer, MD, AMA liaison to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Immediate Past Chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

Family medicine physician Kathleen Bock, MD, shares their personal story receiving care as a non-binary person and poses important questions for physicians on delivering care to transgender and gender-queer patients.

Five women physicians share their stories on what inspired each of them to choose a career in medicine. Guests include family physician Robyn Chatman, MD; general medicine internist Tracey Henry, MD; professor of medicine Theresa Kirchgraber, MD; radiologist Jade Anderson, MD; and child and adolescent psychiatrist Afifa Adiba, MD.

Dr. Frederick Chen, chief health and science officer at the AMA, discusses the connection between climate change and public health, highlighting the effects of extreme weather events, vector-borne illnesses, and implications for patients of all ages. This episode, in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and are not meant to represent the views of the Permanente Federation, the Permanente Medical Groups, or Kaiser Permanente.

Are there enough GME programs to sufficiently meet the needs of residents, and what are some innovative programs to advance resident training? This episode, in collaboration with the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, is hosted by family physician Alex McDonald, MD, featuring guest Sanjay Desai, MD, chief academic office and group vice president of medical education at the AMA. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and are not meant to represent the views of the Permanente Federation, the Permanente Medical Groups, or Kaiser Permanente.

In part II, guests pick up their discussion on issues regarding scope of practice expansion and its impact on medicine from the perspectives of the AMA, the Medical Association of Georgia and Washington State Medical Association. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, chair, AMA Board of Trustees moderates this panel, guests include, Kim Horvath, JD, senior attorney, AMA Advocacy Resource Center; Derek Norton, interim director, Government Relations, Medical Association of Georgia; and Sean Graham, director, Government Affairs, Washington State Medical Association.

John Paul Sánchez, MD, MPH, shares his about his journey in medicine and passion for embedding equity. Dr. Sánchez is executive associate vice chancellor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity Equity and Inclusion.  

Patients deserve care led by physicians—the most highly educated, trained and skilled health care professionals. Through research, advocacy and education, the AMA vigorously defends the practice of medicine against scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety.  In this episode, guests discuss the importance of these issues to organized medicine from the perspectives of the AMA, the Medical Association of Georgia and Washington State Medical Association. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, chair, AMA Board of Trustees moderates this panel, guests include, Kim Horvath, JD, senior attorney, AMA Advocacy Resource Center; Derek Norton, interim director, Government Relations, Medical Association of Georgia; and Sean Graham, director, Government Affairs, Washington State Medical Association.

In part two of this series, guests continue their conversation on the state of prior authorization and, specifically, developments by CMS related to Medicare Advantage. Guests include AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD; AMA Director of Administrative Simplification Initiatives Heather McComas, PhamD; and AMA Senior Legislative Attorney Emily Carroll, JD.