GIVING BACK Telemedicine volunteer opportunity for newly retired, semi-retired DOs Looking for a way to stay engaged in medicine? The MAVEN Project connects volunteer physicians with community health centers. March 22, 2017Wednesday Kate Samano Contact Kate Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics innovationpatient caretelemedicine In states like California, where there are many Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), defined by the government as a population-to-provider ratio of at least 3,500 to 1, community health centers are working to improve access to health care for patients who receive Medicaid benefits or are uninsured. Almost half of U.S. community health centers serve patients who live in rural areas, where long travel distances and the scarcity of clinics can make access challenging. The osteopathic profession is helping to add physicians where they are needed most and, now, so is The MAVEN Project, a volunteer network that links physicians to community health centers and other clinics in underserved communities. The MAVEN Project After the successful completion of pilot projects in California and Massachusetts, The MAVEN Project is now recruiting semi-retired and newly retired physicians to serve as medical volunteers for community health centers. MAVEN Project volunteer physicians use telemedicine to overcome geographic barriers to health care. “Imagine Match.com meets the Peace Corp for volunteer physicians,” says executive director Lisa Shmerling, JD, MPH. The MAVEN Project is seeking physicians to volunteer their virtual time in any of the following four ways via video conference: Direct Patient Consultation is when a physician volunteer provides advice to a health care provider and a patient at a community health center. This is particularly helpful for specialty care. Volunteer physicians need to be licensed in the state where the patient is seen because a physician-patient relationship is being established. Malpractice insurance coverage is available at no cost to the volunteer. Curbside Consultation is when a physician volunteer acts as an advisor only, providing advice directly to a health care provider at a community health center without patient involvement. Volunteer physicians can be licensed anywhere in the U.S. Malpractice insurance coverage is available at no cost to the volunteer. Educational sessions: A physician volunteer can provide informational seminars, or “Lunch and Learns” to health care professionals at community health centers. The purpose of these seminars is to provide education on specific topics that directly relate to practical issues common to community health centers, such as best practices in a specialty area. Mentoring: A physician volunteer connects with medical providers from a community health center on a regular basis to talk generally about topics such as medical issues, ethics, and professional development. This volunteer option is great for well-seasoned physicians who can provide expertise to newer physicians with minimal experience. While The MAVEN Project is accepting volunteers from all 50 states, at this time, those who wish to volunteer their time with direct patient consultation must be licensed in California, Massachusetts or Florida. Onboarding is provided to new volunteers. Training includes specifics about the do’s and don’ts of telemedicine as it relates to the physician-patient relationship, the importance of nondisclosure, and video conference training. To learn more about volunteering with The MAVEN Project, visit their website. In this video, Laurie Green, MD, explains why The MAVEN Project was founded. Related article Giving back: LMU-DCOM students serve with local volunteer fire department When they’re not in class or taking exams, these osteopathic medical students fight fires with the Cumberland Gap (Tennessee) volunteer fire department. More in Newsbriefs Free holistic residency application review platform will soon be available for residency programs that use ERAS Cortex, an AI-enabled platform, is designed to provide technology-assisted holistic review by streamlining application screening and review. AOA’s research grants workshop will guide applicants through funding process The Nov. 14 workshop will cover important topics such as RFA/NOFOs and available funding amounts. Previous articleMatch Day emotions: From anticipation to relief, elation Next articleProfession celebrates advocacy victory in New Mexico
Giving back: LMU-DCOM students serve with local volunteer fire department When they’re not in class or taking exams, these osteopathic medical students fight fires with the Cumberland Gap (Tennessee) volunteer fire department.
Free holistic residency application review platform will soon be available for residency programs that use ERAS Cortex, an AI-enabled platform, is designed to provide technology-assisted holistic review by streamlining application screening and review.
AOA’s research grants workshop will guide applicants through funding process The Nov. 14 workshop will cover important topics such as RFA/NOFOs and available funding amounts.