Oregon Medical Association

Join us for Session 2 of our 2026 annual conference!  Artificial intelligence tools are rapidly entering clinical workflows — from clinical documentation assistants and predictive analytics to diagnostic support systems. While these technologies hold tremendous promise to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, they also introduce complex ethical, legal, and regulatory questions that clinicians and healthcare organizations must be prepared to address. This session will explore the evolving legal and ethical landscape surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in medical practice. Panelists will discuss practical considerations related to patient privacy, liability for AI-assisted clinical decisions, transparency with patients, and emerging federal and state regulatory frameworks. Register here:  theoma.org/conference #AI  #ormed 

Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to Multnomah County’s ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products, leaving in place a 2025 Oregon Court of Appeals ruling that upheld the county’s authority to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products. The decision follows a similar Oregon Supreme Court ruling in May that upheld Washington County’s flavored tobacco ban. The OMA endorses the ban on flavored tobacco. Courtni Dresser, OMA Vice President of Government Relations, told the Oregonian: “Physicians and other clinicians see the toll of nicotine addiction in their patients every day, and we support communities’ right to go beyond the state’s baseline protections to safeguard kids from these products. We hope other Oregon counties do the same.” Read more:  https://lnkd.in/gdPuy23j 

Patients and physicians agree: the bond physicians form with their patients is central to healthcare. Yet growing bureaucracy is impacting physicians’ time spent with patients. The OMA is advocating for physicians and PAs to spend more time with patients and develop that critical relationship that helps patients make their best healthcare decisions. Learn more about what the OMA is doing: theoma.org/YourCare  theoma.org/CareFirst #YourCareisatOurCore  #CareFirst 

On July 13, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) identified three Providence locations as measles exposure sites:  1. Providence Immediate Care — Happy Valley, 16180 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, Happy Valley, between 7:42 a.m. and 10:22 a.m. Thursday, July 9.     2. Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, emergency department, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, between 12:18 a.m. and 5:56 a.m. Friday, July 10, and between 10:04 a.m. and 2:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11.   3. Providence Portland Medical Center, emergency department, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland, between 1:39 p.m. and 4:57 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and between 7:32 p.m. and 9:46 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. People who were at these locations during these dates and time periods should immediately contact their health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles.    Twenty-seven cases of measles have been reported in Oregon this year. See our measles resource page for more information:  theoma.org/measles 

Today is Chronic Disease Awareness Day — observed each year on 7/10 to highlight the statistic that 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans are caused by chronic disease. The OMA has partnered with the Oregon Health Authority to launch the Steering Toward Health campaign, a multiyear initiative that aims to reduce the incidence of lifestyle-related chronic conditions in Oregon.  Clinicians and public health professionals can find resources here:  https://lnkd.in/gpbRSR-4 #oregonhealthauthority  #chronicdiseaseday  #steeringtowardhealth

When patients choose to leave against medical advice (AMA), clinicians face complex communication and documentation challenges. The latest article from OMA endorsed partner MagMutual, Managing AMA Conversations: Supporting Informed Patient Decisions, highlights key strategies to reduce risk, support patient understanding and document informed refusal effectively: https://lnkd.in/gM4mqeyZ

Patients living with Type 2 diabetes can benefit from education programs offering support and options for improved quality of life. Clinical referrals are recommended. Visit the Oregon Wellness Network to learn more about evidence-based Diabetes Self-Management Programs, including group workshops and one-on-one meetings with a registered dietitian. Oregon Wellness Network:  oregonwellnessnetwork.org OMA Diabetes and Prediabetes toolkit:  theoma.org/diabetes #SteeringTowardHealth   #OregonWellnessNetwork  #DiabetesPrevention

Controlling blood pressure is one of the 10 healthy habits for optimal brain health. Medications, physical activity, and diet are just a few of the ways to help manage blood pressure. The OMA Steering Toward Health initiative provides hypertension resources for both clinicians and patients, including information on self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring.  Hypertension resources:  theoma.org/hypertension 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain:  https://lnkd.in/eANEpdHh 

Summer is here and opportunities for physical activity abound. Encourage your patients to get moving and share exercise resources available in-person or online. The OMA’s Physical Activity and Arthritis toolkit is a good starting point with resources for clinicians and patients. Also visit the Oregon Wellness Network’s Falls Prevention and Exercise Programs page. https://lnkd.in/gvRvdU9z  https://lnkd.in/gKf5pBmJ #WalkWithEase   #OregonWellnessNetwork 

Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) monitoring is an evidence-based option to help patients manage high blood pressure. In Oregon, Medicaid covers automatic blood pressure devices to ease the burden on patients. To learn more about eligibility and clinical support, download the coverage guidelines developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and OMA: theoma.org/SMBP    #Hypertension  #BloodPressureMonitoring