AACN...

[physasst]

Had breakfast with Polly Bednash, who is the Executive Director of the AACN, the current president and CEO of the AAMC, and my friend, and colleague, VP of the AAPA Bill Fenn. What a wonderful lady. We had some great discussions, we discussed the DNP, NP education, and the need for a lot more interaction, discussion, and partnership between both PA's and NP's. We may have some disagreements on a few things, but she actually acknowledged some of my concerns on here as well. I'm supposed to email her here shortly with some information on the ACC.

WOW....surrounded by heavyweights...all of them.

Attendees include:

President Emeritus AAMC

Chancellor Emory University

Director, Division of Undergraduate Medical Education, AMA

President and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Professor and Dean of Vanderbilt School of Nursing

CEO Henry Ford Medical Group

Senior VP of the American Board of Medical Specialties

CEO and Executive VP, American Colleges of Pharmacy

CEO Accreditation Council for CME

CEO National League Nursing

President and CEO ACGME

President American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

Coordinating Producer ABC News Health Care Task Force

as well as NUMEROUS other deans and presidents of various medical schools.

It was a good day.

First session started with a review of the four cornerstones of health reform for the Mayo Clinic.

Discussion also focused around reforming medical student education to NOT teach disease treatment, but to teach healthcare delivery. There was a lot of focus on integrated classes for medical students, WITH MANY classes being taken with other health professionals. For example. Anatomy. There was discussion that medical students, nursing students, PT students, and PA students ALL TAKE THE SAME ANATOMY COURSES TOGETHER. There was talk about incorporating a course that would solely teach and focus on teamwork, and (sorry Happy) teaching the physician that they are an EQUAL with other members on the team, and not always in charge.

There was a lot of discussion about the Intermountain group, that manages 30,000 diabetic patients with only FOUR endocrinologists. HOW? They use non physician providers.

The next session was about Licensure, Accreditation, and Certification. There was a lot of debate about having a SOLITARY interdisciplinary certifcation process.

There was a talk about Professionalism, and having medical students NOT graded on individual exams to test medical knowledge that they won't remember, but to test them on the concepts, and the ability to find the answers when they need them. ALSO, to test them on HOW WELL THEY FUNCTION IN THE TEAM MODEL.

The next session included Realigning the Health Care Training System Toward Coordinated Patient Centered Care, again discussing the team model, and dramatically changing the current medical school structure.

Finally, we were asked to submit a singular answer from EVERY table as to HOW to best reform the health care system.

Then, we had dinner, and a discussion on Driving Change in Academic Medicine.

I'm tired now. A lot of information, a lot of very intense discussion amongst a group of highly accomplished and intelligent folks.

Unfortunately, pursuant to another discussion on here. Anecdotally, I spoke with an NP at another meeting here at Mayo, who I believe may be the only NP with a DNP degree here. She likes working here, but is quite frustrated, as she stated that Mayo "does not recognize her degree". She thought it was worth it, and loves her additional education, but was told quite frankly that she SHOULD not use (note, not cannot), the title Doctor in the clinical setting. She was told essentially that it would not be in her best interest.

Anyway, the nursing profession was well represented with Polly and Beverly Malone present.

Thought you all might like to know