New AAFP President to Focus on Administrative Burden

Michael Munger, MD, recently assumed the role of president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). During his opening speech, he spoke about the progress being made in moving toward a value-based care approach and the angst many members feel about the increasing administrative burden on their practices. Prior to his role as president, Munger served on the board for three years. During those three years, he noted that a recurring theme in conversations with other family physicians was what can be done about the overload of administrative work that is taking time away from meeting with patients. “You all love interacting with patients and being a part of their lives, but are drowning in the administrative complexity and nonvalue-added tasks we all face daily,” Munger said in his speech. “It's standing in the way of meaningful patient care. In fact, on the most recent member survey, administrative complexity was listed as the number one issue you need help on from your AAFP.” Simplifying and streamlining administrative processes will be one of the AAFP’s strategic priorities under Munger’s watch. Munger notes that the AAFP has already begun pushing for changes with prior authorizations, interoperability and documentation guidelines. Efforts to reduce administrative burden would do extend to board certification, with Munger arguing board exams and maintenance of certification shouldn’t be “used as a sole criterion” for employment or commercial pa...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs