AMA Expands its Online Education Hub

 

An assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami draws on years of medical and educational experience. In addition, Dr. Tara Kumaraswami is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), which represents thousands of medical professionals across the country.

The AMA announced on July 14 an expansion to its online educational hub, through which it offers numerous resources to its members. The move allows members to access materials from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and other professional organizations.

AMA President Dr. Susan R. Bailey notes that obtaining certification and licensure can often be difficult for many physicians. As such, the organization developed the AMA Ed Hub to streamline the process. The expansion of the hub looks to simplify the process even further.

With the new Ed Hub partners, the organization will now offer members educational materials on numerous new topics, including clinical obesity and addiction care. The new materials are available through the AMA Ed Hub website.

An Overview of SASGOG Supporting Institution Membership

A highly respected obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Tara Kumaraswami has nearly 15 years of experience caring for patients, and has in-depth skills in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami is an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she guides students in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Kumaraswami is affiliated with multiple organizations including the Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG) aims to promote women’s health by offering support to academic generalist physicians at all career levels. SASGOG focuses on supporting excellence in education and research. There are various types of SASGOG memberships, including the Supporting Institution membership, which is available to all practices and divisions of general obstetrics and gynecology. These are institutions that are engaged in both undergraduate and graduate medical education and conducting research, as well as any institutions looking to advance the practice of general obstetrics and gynecology.

Supporting Institution members get benefits which include free membership for fellows, residents, and medical students from member institutions. Other benefits include posting career opportunities on the SASGOG website, recognition at the SASGOG annual meeting, as well as the ability to recognize a faculty member or resident physician with a SASGOG National Faculty Award or SASGOG Excellence Award.

ACOG Provides Tips for Better Patient Communications

An assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts, since 2012, Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami serves the school as program director for the obstetrics and gynecology residency program. Dr. Tara Kumaraswami is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provides members with a range of data-driven clinical resources, as well as basic tips on topics such as optimized patient communication.

For example, medical professionals should make sure they always have an understanding of what a patient is trying to convey, and ask for clarification and further explanation whenever needed. This not only helps doctors gain a clearer clinical understanding of any issues a patient might be facing, but also allows the patient to feel that their concerns are being heard and validated.

Furthermore, obstetrician-gynecologists must remember that they are tasked with the overall health of a patient, and therefore should ask questions about various aspects of a patient’s life, beyond the specific reason for the current visit. Again, this helps establish a rapport between doctor and patient, and may also illuminate certain symptoms a patient had previously been describing to the doctor.

Finally, all doctors should have a response in place when a patient raises concerns about billing. This can be a difficult conversation for patients, or may involve complex aspects of billing that doctors are not involved with. In either case, medical professionals should be prepared to respond to any queries concisely and with compassion, a task that can be made easier through various kinds of billing software.

How the AMA Is Supporting Physicians During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami presently works in Worcester, Massachusetts where she serves as the director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program and an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Active with several professional industry organizations, Dr. Tara Kumaraswami is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA).

The AMA recently published an article on their website describing how the organization is supporting physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak, a national emergency as declared by the US federal government. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the AMA has been giving clinical direction to physicians according to information gained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information aims to help protect health care professionals from contracting the virus.

To provide physicians with instant access to the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 released by the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), the AMA has developed the Physicians Guide to COVID-19 and a COVID-19 online resource center. The resources are designed to provide physicians with answers to important questions, guidance on how to manage patient concerns, and information on safeguarding their practices. The AMA’s Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network also serves as a free and comprehensive resource on COVID-19 since it includes epidemiological information and infection prevention and management recommendations.

3 of the Best Hiking Spots in America

Dr. Tara Kumaraswami cares for patients and educates and mentors medical students in her capacity as an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Aside from her professional duties, Dr. Tara Kumaraswami puruses personal hobbies ranging from gardening to hiking.

Some of the world’s best hiking adventures are found in America. According to experts, three of the nation’s top hiking spots are:

1. Lost Coast Trail. Located in Northern California, the Lost Coast Trail is a popular spot for hikers throughout the year and especially in the fall. This hike covers 24.6 miles and takes three to four days to complete. This area features the most extensive expanse of undeveloped coastline in the continental United States, and the trail leads hikers through forests and beaches.

2. Kalalau Trail. This hiking area is found on the Napali Coast of Hawaii and covers 22 miles. Considered one of the most stunning places to hike on the planet, this trail features beaches, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. Before embarking on the remote and rugged trail, hikers must obtain camping permits. They are also cautioned to be wary of sudden rainstorms.

3. Olympic National Park. Situated on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, this hiking area provides more than 600 miles of trails that venture along the coastline, through forests, and across glaciers. Hikers here may even get the opportunity to see endangered wildlife species, such as blue whales and spotted owls.

Distinguishing Between OB and GYN

Doctor holding a clipboard

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Tara Neubert Kumaraswami, MD, has spent 9 years as an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Over the course of her time as a resident and medical student educator (as well as director of the school’s obstetrics and gynecology residency program), Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami has garnered numerous accolades, including four Golden Apple Teaching Awards.

Though they are often presented as a single specialty, the fields of obstetrics and gynecology are distinct from one another. An obstetrician (OB) is a medical professional who has been trained in all areas of childbirth, including pre- and postnatal care, as well as medical support throughout labor. To become an OB, individuals must complete both medical school and a 4-year residency program before passing a board examination.

A gynecologist, on the other hand, specializes in the overall health of a woman’s reproductive system. While obvious areas of overlap exist, women typically begin seeing a gynecologist (GYN) as their menstrual cycle begins, and continue making regular visits regardless of pregnancy. As is the case with doctors specializing as OBs, GYNs must complete medical school, residency, and all licensing and certification requirements.

The similar areas of focus result in many doctors pursuing certification as an OB-GYN, a far more familiar designation than simply OB or GYN.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Works to Prevent Physician Burnout

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami joined her alma mater as an assistant professor and program director for the obstetrics and gynecology residency program in 2012. In addition to her work at the university, Dr. Tara Neubert Kumaraswami maintains memberships with professional organizations such as the American Medical Association.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently reported on several steps being taken to better understand physician burnout at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Beth Israel began the process by developing a list of 20 areas of focus that could affect positive change in the lives and careers of medical professionals, before turning the list over to physicians to rate the importance of each element. The medical center also conducted a Mini Z burnout survey.

Among the top priorities for the Beth Israel medical team were streamlining the process of credentialing paperwork, offering enhanced training to medical assistants, and providing enhanced child care and family resources, as well as implementing the numerous suggestions for simplification proposed by the facility’s IT department. Since the conclusion of the surveying process, Beth Israel has effectively addressed 11 of the staff’s top 12 concerns and continues to work towards fulfilling all physician requests.

In order to effectively combat physician burnout, medical professionals and industry leaders will need to implement changes in a variety of areas, from placing regulations and time constraints on doctors to embracing new technologies. Physicians can sign up for the AMA’s Burnout Management Tip-of-the Week service by visiting www.ama.org.