Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural Communities: Part Two

November 13, 2024
12:00 – 1:00pm PST
More Information

This two-part workshop introduced rural healthcare providers to motivational interviewing (MI) and Getting to the Heart and Mind of the Matter Toolkit, which helps patients choose trustworthy sources of information and respond to brain-friendly promotional messages. These techniques can help providers have impactful vaccine interactions with patients in rural communities. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Understanding the Practitioner Support Program

November 22, 2024
10:00 - 11:00am PST
The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) has implemented a Practitioner Support Program (PSP) to aid licensees in improving their practice without the need for discipline. The PSP provides support and educational resources for common complaints including communication, systems-based issues and medical record keeping. Join us for a Coffee with the Commission where we will explain how the PSP works, what the licensee can expect if they receive a PSP letter and the value of engaging with the WMC through the PSP. Take a break with the WMC and bring your questions. Register

2025 Legislative Session Kick-off

January 8, 2025
12:00 - 1:00pm PST
Join the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) Legislative Team for a preview of what to expect during the 2025 legislative session. We will be focusing on pre-filed bills that would impact Physicians, Physician Assistants and the general practice of medicine. Take a break with the commission and bring your questions! Register

How to Report Discrimination to the WMC

February 5, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm PST
Coffee with the Commission is a time for the WMC to share initiatives and impacts to health care providers and communities. During this edition of Coffee with the Commission, Mahi Zeru, Equity and Social Justice Manager, will walk attendees through the discrimination section of the WMC complaint form and discuss examples of the different types of discrimination present in the health care setting. This will be a short presentation with plenty of time for your questions and discussion. Register

Coming Soon - Cancer Genetics

Staying at the forefront of genetic advancements is crucial for providing the best care to your patients. This CME is a comprehensive five-part series designed to provide knowledge that will keep you abreast of the latest developments in the field of genetics. The goal of this training is to make cancer genetics relevant to the daily practice of various specialties, ultimately increasing access to genetic services. Each session you attend is worth a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Recorded Webinars

2024 Legislative Session Update
Deputy Executive and Legislative Director - Micah Matthews and Stephanie Mason WMC Public Information Officer and Legislative Liaison will provide an overview of the 2024 Washington State Legislative Session and what can be expected during this 60 day session. More Information

5 Steps to Filing a Complaint
Oversight of Physician (MD) and Physician Assistant Licenses is one of the paramount responsibilities of the Washington Medical Commission (WMC). During this webinar our subject matter experts will walk you through the process of filing a complaint and how a complaint is processed. We will also take time to talk about how to follow up on a complaint that has been authorized for an investigation followed by a question and answer session. Please know that we will not be discussing concerns regarding an individual complaint, and we cannot discuss ongoing investigations. More Information

5 Ways to Save Time When Applying for your WA state MD / PA License
Navigating the medical licensure process can be daunting, but proactive planning can help you save time and ease stress. Join the WMC for an educational opportunity on the top tips to save time when applying for your medical license. The webinar will also explain that licensees should plan for a 30-day period from the time they submit a complete application for license and the actual date licensure is granted. In addition, April through September is generally the peak period for volume of licensure applications, so if you’re applying for a license at that time, temper any hurried expectations and properly prepare. More Information

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural Communities: Part One
This two-part workshop introduced rural healthcare providers to motivational interviewing (MI) and Getting to the Heart and Mind of the Matter Toolkit, which helps patients choose trustworthy sources of information and respond to brain-friendly promotional messages. These techniques can help providers have impactful vaccine interactions with patients in rural communities. The webinar will be recorded and continuing education is available for physicians, physician assistants (PA), medical assistants, pharmacists and nurses. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™   More Information

Buprenorphine for OUD and Chronic Pain
This webinar will provide a framework for clinicians to address clinical scenarios regarding buprenorphine use. It will address the misconceptions and provide clinical recommendations on the appropriate use of buprenorphine for chronic pain, including conversion strategies for transitioning from a full opioid receptor agonist to buprenorphine. These recommendations should be used by health care providers seeking an alternative to Schedule II opioids. More information and registration can be found here. 

Burnout Reduction for Health Care Providers
Probably one of the most widespread issues for the healthcare workforce in 2022, burnout is something that all of us are familiar with to some extent but may seem like there is little we can do about it. This webinar will identify not just the causes and sources of burnout, but the actionable steps that are possible to reduce it, the options for contributing to workplace shifts around how we handle burnout, and how to support colleagues when you are concerned about them. More Information

Changes to Physician Assistant Practice in Washington
In the 2019-2020 legislative session the WA State Legislature passed HB 2378 – Concerning Physician Assistants. Join the WMC for a webinar that outlines the changes and how they will affect your practice and your PA license. This event is a learning opportunity for MDs and PAs.

Coffee with the Commission - Personal Data Questions
Coffee with the Commission is an opportunity to hear about changes in the practice of medical regulation and have an extended Q&A session with experts in the subject area. At this CwC we will be discussing the Personal Data Questions in the initial licensing application. There have been significant changes to these questions and our panel will walk you through what changes have been made, the implications for the practitioner from a mental and physical standpoint and what is “Safe Haven”. More Information

Communication and Resolution Program Certification: The Value of Collaboration to Improve Patient Safety after Adverse Events
Despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, systemic faults leave chance that a medical error may occur. Adverse events where a patient is unintentionally harmed during their care can be dangerous, leading to injury or even death. Medical errors are preventable and they require systems change to reduce the risk of harm to future patients. We will be joined by Felicidad Smith, MPH - CRP Manager at the Foundation for Health Care Quality. She will provide an overview of Communication and Resolution Programs (CRP) and there will be ample time for your questions. More Information

COVID-19 Disaster Cascade Recovery Updates
In this webinar, Dr. Mauseth will identify current trends in behavioral health, recommend specific evidence-based resilience and coping strategies for at-risk populations, and increase awareness and facility about cross-cultural communication and behavioral health issues. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. More Information

De-escalation and Effective Communication Strategies
This presentation shares information and strategies about understanding when effective communication can and should take place from a neurological standpoint, being aware of obstacles, and engaging effectively (and reducing risk) when supporting people in crisis or those who are angry. More Information

Error Reduction and the Future of Communication and Resolution Programs
Despite the best intentions, health care does not always go as planned, which can result in harm to patients. Unintended patient harm remains a leading cause of death in the US and can happen for many reasons. CRPs offer health care organizations a compassionate, patient-centered response that ultimately improves safety for patients. A series of steps, taken by providers, risk managers, quality improvement leaders, health care leaders, and the WMC, guide health care organizations in moving towards reconciliation for everyone involved. More Information

Healthcare 101: How to be an Informed Patient
In this webinar we addressed some of the most common questions and misconceptions received by the WMC. Some topics we discussed:

• How do I find reliable information about health care and my provider?
• What heath related information is confidential?
• What exactly is a HIPAA violation?
• Common terms found in your health record.

Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) - What does this mean for your license?
More Information

How can the WMC Help You?
This Webinar will provide attendees an overview of the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) and our mission and duties the specific services the WMC can provide for patients. Topics covered include: Understanding the WMC patient toolkit and the patient bill of rights, common billing issues and how to resolve them, how to request your medical records, how to submit a complaint, understand why some complaints are not investigated, when should I file a complaint with a hospital vs. WMC? More Information

How Discrimination Affects Patient Safety
There has been a considerable amount of research published regarding patient safety and outcomes and how these can be diminished when there is discrimination present. Discrimination is a social determinate of health and in this webinar we will discuss its implications and how the Washington Medical Commission is responding. There will also be an opportunity for questions. More Information

How to Research your Healthcare Provider - PowerPoint Slides
This webinar focuses on patient needs and aiding them in gathering the information needed to effectively learn more about their healthcare provider. We will discuss the differences between the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) and the Washington Board of Health. We will show you, in a live demo, how to use the provider credential search and provide some useful tips to make the process easier. We will also discuss how to access your Electronic Health Record (EHR) and its common elements. 

The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth.
The Least of Us deepens the story of our nation opioid epidemic, including now the spread of mass supplies of synthetic drugs (fentanyl and meth). It also delves into the neuroscience of addiction, concluding we live in a soup of legal substances and services whose addictiveness is ever-refined by consumer-product corporations. More information 

LGBTQ+ Healthcare Needs
Dr. Diana Currie and Dr. Chelsea Unruh will discuss the gaps in healthcare amongst LGBTQ+ patients. This free webinar will educate providers on strategies to align care delivery with existing evidence-based, culturally sensitive standards of care for LGBTQ+ people to decrease health disparities. More information.

Opioid Prescribing Best Practices: Updates for 2021 and Beyond
Practitioners in Washington continue to struggle with the rules and regulations surrounding opioid prescribing. This issue has only been exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us for an opioid refresher and update. More Information.

Optimizing Care for People Experiencing Homelessness
In this webinar, Dr. Enzian will identify current trends in behavioral and physical health for people living with homelessness. Optimizing care for people experiencing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by this population. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. More information

Post COVID-19 Conditions: Diagnosis and Management Options
In this webinar, Dr Anita Chopra & Dr Janna Friedly from The UW Post-COVID Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic will discuss their treatment methods, clinical findings, and the current state of the research on Post COVID-19 conditions. This is a series of peer-to-peer learning opportunities on Long COVID. This series is an equity-driven project to help address disparities in Post-COVID-19 treatment access across Washington state by sharing the knowledge of specialists with general practitioners. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Learn More

Post-COVID-19 Conditions: Expanding Our Understanding of Long-term Sequelae of COVID-19 Webinar

In this webinar, Dr Chow will cover the terms and case definitions associated with Post-COVID-19 diagnoses, describe the clinical features and risk factors as well as explore the epidemiology and possible etiologies for this diverse group of conditions. The webinar will be recorded and continuing education is available for physicians (MDs, DOs and Physician Assistants (PA), medical assistants and nurses. The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. More Information and Registration

Practicing as a Physician Assistant in Washington
The relationship between a Physician Assistant (PA) and their supervising physician (MD) can often be confusing. The WMC is hosting a webinar to dispel myths and provide best practices for communication and professionalism. More Information

Preparing for the 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season
The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Infectious disease expert Eric J. Chow, MD, MS, MPH will discuss the epidemiology of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 and summarize measures of community burden. He will review important mitigation strategies, vaccine recommendations and respiratory illness guidance as we head into the 2024-2025 respiratory viral season. The webinar will be recorded, and continuing education is available for physicians, physician assistants (PA), medical assistants, pharmacists and nurses.More Information

Safety First: The Importance of Interpreters & Translated Documents in Preventing Patient Harm
Jamilia Sherls-Jones, DNP, MPH, RN, CDP, CPN and Deborah Rader will address the language and cultural needs of patients that can directly impact safety, outcomes and health equity. In this one-hour webinar, you will learn to recognize safety issues related to language and culture and apply strategies to provide accommodation to those with language and cultural needs. More information.

Strengthening Nurse / Doctor Communication
Research shows that not only do poor nurse-physician relations affect morale and retention, but also patient safety. In order to achieve the best patient outcomes, we need to understand the causes of poor communication and how we can intervene before harm to the patient occurs. This webinar will host a panel of Commissioners from the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) and the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) who will share their insights as to how communication can be optimized. More Information

Telehealth Delivered Multidisciplinary Pain
UW TelePain is a free service funded by the Washington State Legislature for community providers intended to increase knowledge and confidence in chronic pain management, and to present difficult chronic pain cases for consultation. This program brings together a network of interprofessional specialists with expertise in the management of challenging chronic pain problems. However providers are unsure of how to access the program and it's benefits. This webinar will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills of community practice providers who treat patients with chronic pain. More Information.

Transforming Primary Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A Collaborative Quality Improvement Initiative
Dr. B. W. Furness, CAPT of US Public Health Service and CDC Medical Epidemiologist will discuss Transforming Primary Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and the findings of his paper Transforming Primary Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A Collaborative Quality Improvement Initiative and CDC recommendations regarding LGBTQ primary care. More information.

Unmasking Long COVID: Insights and Updates from University of Washington Clinical Research
Long COVID refers to persistent symptoms that can linger for weeks or months after an initial COVID-19 infection, even affecting individuals who may have had only mild or asymptomatic cases. This presentation sheds light on the newest insights and research into Long COVID at the University of Washington. It gives a broad overview of several ongoing studies and clinical trials run by Dr. Chu's group and covers recent findings from this work.
More Information

UW Studies COVID-19 Presence to Inform Smart Policy Decisions
Dr. Keith Jerome will be discussing research at UW to determine the percentage of Washingtonians who have been infected by COVID-19. UW Medicine’s Virology Laboratory will conduct the study in close partnership with state and local public health agencies, sampling across rural and urban populations throughout the state and within racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities. Dr. Jerome will provide a one hour webinar on the study methods and preliminary findings, and discuss how these findings may impact policy decisions.  More information.

The Year of the PA: New Laws and Changes to Practice
Members of WMC and WAPA will provide this information session on the new laws for Physician Assistants in Washington: 1) Adopting the physician assistant compact - HB 1917, 2) Concerning physician assistant collaborative practice - HB 2041. More Information

Your Rights as a Patient - PowerPoint Slides
In this webinar we will have a panel discuss a wide variety of topics including:

• Opioid usage and pain management contracts.
• Your rights to translation services.
• Medical service consent and medication refusal.
• The value of a second opinion.
• How to prepare for a routine visit.
• What to expect during a telemedicine visit.

The Washington Medical Commission gratefully acknowledges the unrestricted educational grant from the FSMB Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to support this activity.