Because of time constraints, Ms. Bowen focused the survey discussions on one item, which was of great 1 concern. We asked “has COVID-19 caused you to experience any of the following mental or physical 2 issues?” 266 physicians stated they had suffered from burnout, 443 from fatigue, 652 from stress related 3 issues, 43 consumed excess alcohol or drugs and 15 experienced thoughts of suicide. Ms. Bowen stated 4 that these statistics clearly show us we have a pandemic within the pandemic and that physicians need 5 help. Mr. Williams added that the LSMS had already included resources to aid with these mental health 6 issues on its COVID-19 resources page and within the QW e-newsletter. However, most agreed that 7 more needed to be done. Mr. Williams stated that the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners 8 (LSBME) had already seen the survey results too and reached the same observation(s). Everyone agreed 9 that more needs to be done and that additional resources will be required. Mr. Williams committed to 10 additional conversations with all stakeholders and to keep board members informed of any changes 11 and/or updates regarding the situation. 15 Mr. Williams reminded board members that the first and second scheduled production of the 2020 16 editions of the Journal of the LSMS had been canceled as a cost savings measure due to the financial 17 realities incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Williams then recommended that the production 18 and printing of the third and final 2020 Journal of the LSMS also be canceled for the same reason(s). 19 Mr. Williams then recommended that the Spring 2021 Journal of the LSMS be wholly dedicated to the 20 COVID-19 pandemic and serve as a time capsule that spotlights the pandemic and the subsequent 21 medical response for future reference. After some discussion, the following motions were made: 12 13 14 December 2020 Issue – Journal of the LSMS
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
MOTION (APPROVED)
THE LSMS BOARD OF GOVERNORS IS CANCELING THE DECEMBER 2020 JOURNAL OF THE LSMS DUE TO FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS CREATED FROM THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
MOTION (APPROVED)
THE LSMS BOARD OF GOVERNORS SUPPORTS A SPRING 2021 ISSUE OF THE JOURNAL OF THE LSMS DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
LSBME Follow Up
37 Mr. Williams stated he had received some calls from physician members concerned that the Louisiana 38 State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) was not following through on earlier commitments that 39 resulted from a 2019 performance audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA). At question was a 40 finding that stated, the LSBME has not developed formal guidance, such as an enforcement guide, to 41 help ensure it follows a consistent, objective approach when making enforcement decisions and that 42 these decisions are appropriate and properly protect the public. Specifically the LLA recommended 1) 43 The LSBME develop criteria for determining whether to issue public or non-public actions to licensees 44 to ensure that its enforcement process is consistent, appropriate, and effective; maintain documentation 45 to support such decisions; and promulgate these criteria in rules under the Administrative Procedures 46 Act. 2) The LSBME should develop a process that incorporates an additional level of review of a 47 selection of recommendations made by the director of investigations to the LSBME for adequacy and 48 completeness by board members and/or employees who were not involved in the investigations to 49 ensure that all licensees receive due process. These reviews should include recommendations to close 50
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