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Tech Support: Physicians Willing to Adopt New Technologies Can Get Assistance from AI, EHRs – and TMA - 06/30/2025

The Texas Medical Association offers resources to help physicians gain greater mastery of potentially helpful technologies, including AI, EHRs, and telemedicine.

Digital Dilemma: Health Information Technology Remains a Valuable Tool for Physicians - 06/30/2025

Health information technology remains a valuable tool for Texas physicians – but some detriments to patient care, physician wellness persist.

Contaminant Containment: Countering Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Takes Physician Awareness and Prompt Reporting - 06/26/2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates each year some 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, more than 127,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.

'The Canary in the Coal Mine': Wastewater Testing Advances Improve Physician and Public Readiness for Outbreaks - 06/23/2025

Houston is home to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System of Excellence.

The Essence of Outreach: TMA Health Beat Broadens Its Audience to Advocate More Effectively for Physicians - 06/23/2025

Louise Bethea, MD, sometimes encounters resistance in persuading her patients with asthma to adhere to their daily medication regimen. It’s a problem she attributes, in part, to low health care literacy.

U.S., Texas Child Flu Deaths Increase Amid a Grim Season - 06/04/2025

Texas has recorded 15 pediatric flu deaths so far for the 2024-2025 flu season. That number is significantly higher than last year, when no child deaths associated with flu occurred in the state. Physicians continue to advocate immunization as the best defense.

Wellness First Presentations - 05/29/2025

The Texas Medical Association offers the following timely and valuable physician health and wellness presentations. All presentations qualify for 1 hour of CME and Ethics credit.

Combating Measles Resource Center - 05/22/2025

Get caught up on measles-related news from state and federal agencies, as well as TMA's actions and resources, with this webpage. Find information from DSHS, patient-facing materials, and links to clinical insights.

New TMA Policies Strive to Bolster Physician Workforce - 05/21/2025

Attempting to fix Texas’ maternal care deserts and other physician workforce deficits, the House of Delegates voted in support of expanded physician training opportunities and statewide initiatives, particularly focused on rural areas.

Whooping Cough Spikes in Texas Among Measles Outbreak - 04/30/2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services so far has reported 1,060 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, outpacing the rate seen in 2024. Tdap and DTaP immunizations are crucial, including for pregnant mothers.

Whooping Cough Cases Far Outpacing Last Year’s as Measles Illnesses Continue to Spread - 04/30/2025

Amid the worst measles outbreak Texas has seen in over 30 years; pertussis cases are spiking as well. Through mid-April, 1,060 cases of pertussis occurred in the state, while 1,928 cases were reported in all of 2024, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Record Licensure Numbers Show Steady Workforce Progress - 04/23/2025

Texas continues to expand the physician workforce at a faster rate than the state’s population, continuing a 15-year streak, but gaps remain. To drive in-state growth, TMA continues to advocate for bolstering the state’s residency and fellowship programs.

Vaccine Uptake Improves Amid Measles Momentum - 04/11/2025

With measles spreading to another corner of the state and showing little sign of slowing, adjusted vaccine recommendations apply to residents of and visitors to 10 affected counties. TMA Foundation grants are available to support vaccine clinics.

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - 04/09/2025

The impact of adverse childhood events (ACEs) can be lasting and costly on patient health and medical outcomes. In the United States, more than 20% of adults report experiencing three ACEs during their youth, potentially increasing the risk of negative, chronic health consequences and challenges such as alcoholism, depression, unemployment, heart disease and substance abuse, among many others.

Division of Population Health and Medical Education - 04/03/2025

The Division of Population Health and Medical Education focuses on public health, scientific, and patient safety issues throughout the state, emphasizing areas in which high-quality medical care and scientific expertise can benefit all Texans. In addition the division maintains close relationships with academic medicine and monitors physician workforce trends.

Texas Physicians Explain Herd Immunity Needed to Fight Contagious-Disease Hotspots - 03/26/2025

A community with enough vaccinated people can protect each other from the spread of contagious disease. Herd immunity – also known as community immunity – protects those who are not immune and those who cannot or choose not to get vaccinated.

Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities for Another Six Months - 03/24/2025

Several pandemic-era Medicare telehealth and payment flexibilities will now last through Sept. 30 following recent action by Congress, including those that waive geographic site restrictions for mental health telemedicine services provided without an in-person visit.

Earn CME and Hear Practical Measles Guidance as Outbreak Expands - 03/21/2025

As the West Texas outbreak shows little sign of slowing, TMA and DSHS present an update and strategies for combating measles in a CME-qualifying webinar.

Measles Outbreak Hits 124 Cases, One Death; Exposed Unvaccinated People Urged to Get Vaccinated - 02/26/2025

As measles cases continue to spread in and around Gaines County in West Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said one unvaccinated child has died of the highly contagious disease. The number of measles cases has grown to 124 people as of Feb. 25, the vast majority of whom are unvaccinated. DSHS urges any unvaccinated person who was exposed to measles to get vaccinated quickly.

Safely Incorporate Remote Patient Monitoring Into Your Practice - 02/07/2025

If you’re considering using telemedicine or remote patient monitoring, the Texas Medical Liability Trust’s (TMLT) Risk Management team has some recommendations to protect you and your practice.

Are You Ready for Telemedicine Prime Time? - 02/07/2025

Like a stage actor who comes across awkward on a television or movie screen, you might find it challenging to connect with your patients during video telehealth visits. Here are some tips to make for five-star video telehealth visit.

Help Your Patients Help You with Telemedicine - 02/07/2025

TMA developed a Telemedicine Visit Tips reference sheet, designed to help your patients prepare for a telemedicine visit. You can customize the document for your practice and your patients. You may choose to add information specific to your telemedicine platform that addresses the technology questions you frequently receive from your patients.

Let Your Patients Know You Use Telemedicine - 02/07/2025

To make telemedicine more available, many state and federal rules and regulations regarding telehealth have changed temporarily during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including payments for certain types of visits. That’s all good news if you or your practice is struggling financially because of decreased in-person patient visits. But it doesn’t mean much if your patients don’t know about it.

Physicians Ask Lawmakers to Make Social Media Safer for Children, Prevent Data Mining - 02/03/2025

The Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society told a committee of the Texas Legislature about the importance of developing policies that promote healthy technology use for young people and restrict data mining of minors’ information.

DSHS Urges Measles Monitoring as More Cases Confirmed - 02/03/2025

DSHS has confirmed measles cases in Gaines and Lubbock counties as well as in Houston. Officials urge physicians to report any suspected cases immediately for investigation.