[MMA News Now, June 14, 2012] Minnesota delegates will submit two resolutions regarding younger physicians at the AMA House of Delegates held in Chicago on June 16-20.

Along with the two resolutions, Minnesota is a co-author on four resolutions with nearby states.

The two Minnesota-authored resolutions include Resolution 328 “The Changing Environment: Access to Procedural Training for Residents and Fellows” and Resolution 713 “Transparency in Recruiting and Marketing Techniques for Young Physicians.”

Resolution 328 addresses a growing problem in training sites where residents and fellows are having difficulty getting enough experience with certain procedures. This is caused partially because of funding cutbacks with residency training and partially with the increased use of non-physician providers in hospital emergency rooms. The resolution asks the AMA to study the issues related to funding training sites and the financial pressures on these sites to reduce their costs by using more mid-level providers.

Resolution 713 addresses a concern that hospitals and large health systems may be providing physicians, who are just completing their training, unrealistic employment offers without disclosing all of the information needed to make an informed decision. The resolution asks the AMA to explore strategies to increase transparency in marketing techniques used to recruit physicians who are finishing their residency or fellowship. Supporters of this resolution want to ensure that hospitals, clinics or health plans are not using deceptive or anti-competitive recruiting techniques without fully disclosing all components of any contract with the physician being recruited. It also asks the AMA to assist physicians in training in career decision-making that provides them the full range of information concerning various practice models.

In addition to the resolution work the Minnesota delegation will announce the campaign of Maya Babu M.D. for election to the Resident and Fellow seat on the AMA Board of Trustees. Babu is a neurosurgeon resident at the Mayo Clinic. This election will take place at the AMA meeting in June of 2013.