Medical Groups Collaborate to Improve Patient Care and Public Policy

Audience:

Tobacco control advocates, tobacco program staff, public policy staff

Key Points:

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists represent the majority of physicians responsible for preventing and treating illnesses in the US.  Individually, these medical organizations have developed evidence-based programs, tools and resources to help their members screen for and intervene on tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.  The purpose of this session is to educate the tobacco control community about the alliance between these organizations and how they work together to advance local, state and federal policies as well as clinical practice policies to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.  These physicians are the first line in any patient interaction, provide the majority of medical interventions on tobacco use and are a credible voice in advancing public policy.  Connecting with physicians will improve health and policy outcomes.

Educational Experience:

The audience will learn the key points with background materials, relevant research and a step-by-step guide to approaching and integrating the physician voice in their local activities.

Benefits:

This presentation will demonstrate the benefits of engaging individual physicians and their associated medical organizations to provide leadership on tobacco clinical practice issues and tobacco control policies. The audience will also understand what issues resonate with physicians