IFM | Mental Health Month: Behavioral Health Integration
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, Shannon Connolly, MD, FAAFP, associate medical director at the Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, discusses family physicians’ crucial role as the first and sometimes only point of contact for mental health care, especially in underserved settings. She explains how psychosocial and behavioral factors underlie many primary care challenges such as complex pain, substance use disorders and uncontrolled chronic...
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IFM | Innovative Diagnostic Tools and Workflows for Suspected Alzheimer’s in Primary Care
Inside Family Medicine
In this special edition of Inside Family Medicine, sponsored by Roche Diagnostics, host Darren Sextro talks with brain health experts Deanna Willis, MD, MBA, a board-certified family physician, and Jared Brosch, MD, board-certified neurologist, on the use of blood-based biomarkers (BBBMs) in primary care settings for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Their discussion explores how BBBMs can make referrals more efficient and enhance the evaluation of patients with cognitive decline. The conversation highlights the value of early diagnosis...
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CME | Private Practice, Public Impact: Finding Your Fit in Modern Medicine
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the Go, Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP and Lauren Brown-Berchtold, MD, FAAFP, discuss how private practice in family medicine is evolving and how physicians can evaluate different models in 2026. They review trends showing a shift from 50/50 self-owned vs. other-owned practices in 2016 to about 75% other-owned and 25% private practice today, note rural workforce losses, and highlight rapid growth in direct primary care (DPC) and concierge models, alongside increasing corporate ownership. They compare employed practice vs....
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FFFM | April 2026 Advocacy Rounds
Inside Family Medicine
David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, recaps the AAFP’s April 2026 advocacy efforts. AAFP led a coalition letter urging the Departments of Homeland Security and State to speed visa and immigration processing for international medical graduates, citing delays with J-1 waivers, H-1B extensions, and green cards that disrupt care in rural and underserved areas. AAFP warned the Department of Education that a proposed Workforce Pell rule could exclude physicians with graduate degrees from short-term training support, worsening...
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CME | A Crash Course in Thyroid Confusion
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the GO, the hosts discuss a practical approach to hypothyroidism, using a case of a 50-year-old woman with nonspecific symptoms (weight gain, fatigue, edema, constipation). They emphasize thorough history and physical exam, then outline key thyroid testing: TSH as the initial screening test (often with reflex free T4), free T4 for confirmation and special situations (including pregnancy), and limited uses for T3 tests. They review antibody testing (TPO for Hashimoto’s, thyroglobulin antibodies in select cases) and note tests...
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FFFM | Lawmaker Spotlight: Physician Voices Shaping Health Policy
Inside Family Medicine
David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, speaks with U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, MD, a family physician and former Utah state legislator, about why he chose family medicine, how having more clinicians in public office can lead to bipartisan physician collaboration on health care policy and the need for greater professional autonomy. We also hear from U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, MD, a pulmonary/critical care physician and former Oregon state legislator who...
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IFM | Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell: Delivering Maternal Health Care and Equity
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, MS, discusses maternal health care and the role of family physicians in providing consistent care from preconception through pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Curry-Winchell shares why she chose family medicine and her nontraditional path from a Certified Nursing Assistant to Physicians Assistant to physician, including the risks she took to attend medical school. She describes her own near-fatal postpartum complication following a cesarean section and emphasizes the importance of...
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IFM | From Clinic to Community: Advancing Health Equity in Rural Settings
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Emily Holwick speaks with Calin Kirk, MD, family physician at the Cherokee Nation’s Sam Hider Health Center in Jay, Oklahoma, and Sarah Gerrish, MD, full-spectrum family physician and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to discuss advancing health equity in rural and tribal communities. They share why family medicine’s broad scope of practice and continuity of care matter, and outline barriers like distance,...
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CME | Twisted Truths: What You Didn't Learn About Sickle Cell
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the Go, the hosts discuss sickle cell disease (SCD) and the role of family medicine in recognizing, screening, and preventing complications. They review SCD as an autosomal recessive hemoglobin disorder distinct from sickle cell trait and highlight major complications such as anemia, infection risk, pain crises, and acute chest syndrome. The episode emphasizes global prevalence, newborn screening (and potential gaps), and risk beyond African ancestry. It also covers hemoglobin electrophoresis patterns, preventive care including penicillin prophylaxis and...
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IFM | Enhancing Knowledge About mRNA Vaccines
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Michael Monroe speaks with AAFP Vaccine Science fellows Anne Schneider, DO, FAAFP, and Mina Saleem Khan, MD, FAAFP, about why mRNA vaccines matter and how family physicians can address patient questions and misinformation. They explain mRNA basics, review COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, address common myths, and share practical communication strategies—such as empathetic counseling, presumptive recommendations, and team-based systems—to reduce missed vaccination opportunities. Topics by...
info_outlineThe CME on the Go series of the Inside Family Medicine podcast lets you earn up to 0.5 CME credits per episode — join the hosts as they dive into essential mindfulness and self-care strategies designed specifically for family physicians. This episode offers actionable insights to seamlessly incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, helping you boost well-being and manage stress in the high-pressure world of family medicine.
In this insightful episode, family physicians explore the transformative power of mindfulness and self-care practices tailored to their unique challenges. The discussion delves into practical techniques that can be easily woven into daily routines, offering a pathway to enhanced well-being and stress management. By adopting these strategies, physicians can not only improve their own mental health but also bring a renewed sense of balance and resilience to their professional lives. This episode is a must-listen for those looking to sustain their passion for medicine while prioritizing personal wellness.
Your hosts for this episode are Lauren Brown-Berchtold, MD, FAAFP, program director for the San Joaquin General Family Medicine Residency in French Camp, Calif.; Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, associate director of the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program in South Bend, Ind.; and Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD, MBA, FAAFP, chief medical officer and vice president of health strategy at the public sector health plan Colorado Access.
Whether you're navigating patient queries or seeking to enhance your clinical knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for family physicians. Tune in now and earn CME credit!
Credit Claiming
After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit at https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/15315/e.
Learning Objectives
- Consider the concept of mindfulness and its potential benefits for promoting well-being and reducing stress among family physicians.
- Offer guidance on integrating mindfulness and self-care practices into clinical practice and fostering a culture of well-being within healthcare organizations.
Resources
- AAFP Mindfulness Resources
- Emotional Intelligence: Five Ways to Have Better Interactions and Improve Your Work Life
- Mindfulness at Work
Topics by Timestamp
- 00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness and Self Care
- 00:37 Meet the Hosts
- 01:52 Initial Reactions to Mindfulness
- 04:49 Historical and Scientific Perspective on Mindfulness
- 08:57 Practical Mindfulness Techniques
- 15:28 Advanced Mindfulness Practices and Flow States
- 18:52 Mindfulness as a Leadership Skill
- 20:29 Mindfulness in Patient Care and Education
- 26:01 Conclusion and Gratitude
- 27:59 Next Episode Preview and Credits
References
- Hofmann, S. G., & Gómez, A. F. (2017). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 739-749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.08.008
- Schuman-Olivier, Z., Trombka, M., Lovas, D. A., et al. (2020). Mindfulness and Behavior Change. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 28(6), 371-394. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000277
- Macrynikola, N., Mir, Z., Gopal, T., et al. (2024). The impact of mindfulness apps on psychological processes of change: a systematic review. npj Mental Health Research, 3, 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-023-00048-5
- American Academy of Family Physicians. (2013). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression. American Family Physician, 87(6), 402-403. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0315/p402.html
- Singh, S. P. (2023). Sakshi and Dhyana: The origin of mindfulness-based therapies. BJPsych Bulletin, 47(2), 94-97. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2022.39
- Balban, M. Y., Neri, E., Kogon, M. M., et al. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4(1), 100895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895
Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity.
All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Disclaimer: Copyright 2024. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.