Latest updates on ACP's priorities, initiatives

New AI tool launches as part of DynaMedex®

Dyna AI, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, is now integrated into DynaMedex, offering concise, evidence-based answers to clinical questions.

When a user types a query in natural language, Dyna AI quickly synthesizes relevant information exclusively from DynaMedex, including study summaries, practice guidelines, and expert commentary, to provide an answer.

DynaMedex and Dyna AI include:

• robust coverage of more than 35 specialties, daily content updates, and personalized alerts, including some that are potentially practice changing;
• comprehensive drug information, including expanded drug monographs and tools for assessing potential interactions and IV compatibility;
• unbiased clinical content and practice recommendations subject to a rigorous conflict-of-interest policy;
• recommendations categorized as based on evidence, published guidelines, or—when necessary—expert opinion, with one-click access to full-text resources; and
• tools for clinical decision support, patient engagement, and shared decision making with DynaMed Decisions.

Access to DynaMedex is an ACP member benefit. More information is online. Note that Dyna AI is not mandatory and can be turned off under settings if a user prefers.

ACP joins calls to protect Medicaid, vaccine research

In two recent statements, ACP and other health care organizations advocated for continued funding of Medicaid and research into vaccine uptake and hesitancy.

ACP and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Psychiatric Association said in late February that they were alarmed by proposals to implement cuts or other structural changes to Medicaid during the budget reconciliation process. “For decades, the Medicaid program has provided health care coverage for millions of people, including children and parents, low-income adults, older adults, pregnant patients, individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and individuals with disabilities, in communities large and small, urban and rural,” the statement said.

The statement noted that cuts to Medicaid will make it harder for patients to access care. States will be forced to drop enrollees from coverage, the health care services patients can access will be limited, and payment rates will be cut. “Slashing already low Medicaid payment rates will make it even harder for physicians to provide care to people covered under Medicaid and will ultimately increase health care costs as patients are forced to forgo vital preventive care,” the statement said.

Most Americans support Medicaid, the statement said, and imposing arbitrary restrictions and limitations on enrollment is contrary to the program's mission. “The impact of cuts to Medicaid funding is significant and wide-reaching, and it must be reconsidered. Medicaid is a lifeline for our nation's most vulnerable—from visits with a primary care physician, to maternal health care and pediatrics, to labor and delivery services, to behavioral health and to preventive care that saves lives,” the statement said. “To that end, it is of the utmost importance that Congress protect this vital program.”

In mid-March, ACP, the AAFP, the AAP, and ACOG expressed serious concern and strong opposition to the NIH's decision to terminate grants to study vaccine hesitancy and uptake, calling it “a dangerous intrusion into critical work that seeks to protect our patients from vaccine-preventable illnesses.” The statement noted that peer-reviewed research is vital to understanding how evidence-based strategies can promote immunization and protect against infectious diseases and allows physicians to better understand how to communicate with patients and families to address their concerns and answer their questions.

“Vaccines are one of our country's greatest scientific achievements that work to keep our children, families and communities healthy and safe,” the statement said. “We urge the NIH to reconsider its decision and reaffirm its commitment to supporting research that addresses vaccine hesitancy. The health of our communities depends on it.”