Past Projects & Initiatives
1. “Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Clinician’s Guide” (2007-2016)
Among the FSMB Foundation’s educational initiatives has been the development and distribution of a guidebook intended to help physicians recognize the risks of opioids and follow responsible and safe prescribing standards. The first edition, “Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Physician’s Guide,” was released in 2007. Written by one of the nation’s leading experts in pain medicine, Scott M. Fishman, MD, the book offers practical steps for reducing the risk of addiction, abuse and diversion of opioids and for achieving improved patient outcomes. It was developed with the assistance a diverse range of physicians, academicians and health-policy experts and has been used extensively by state regulators and others to address the need for safer, more responsible and better-informed opioid prescribing.
2. Medical Professionalism Project (2009)
In 2009, the FSMB Foundation launched an educational outreach program intended to help physicians and the public better understand the unique role state medical boards play in the nation’s health care system. This educational program consisted of vital information on licensing, discipline and general professionalism in medicine and included outreach and special presentations to medical students, residents, medical staff coordinators, physician groups, medical societies, hospital medical staffs, clinic managers and many other groups.
3. Supported the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission Metrics Project (2010)
In 2010, the FSMB Foundation supported a grant request from the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission to help fund a systematic analysis and review of the Commission’s data collection relevant to the performance management of its current medical board model as compared to the other health professional boards in Washington State. The analysis drew upon the experiences and best practices of other state medical boards.
4. Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) survey (2010-2012)
The S.A.V.E. (Safety and Violence Education Project) was initiated by the FSMB Foundation after a tragic attack on a board member within the state medical board community. Results from the survey showed that threats of violence against state medical and osteopathic board members and staff are prevalent and diverse. As a response to heightened attention to this issue, many member boards have initiated steps to respond to threats and potential violence, and to safeguard members and their staff.
5. Held 1st FSMB Foundation Luncheon (2013)
Since 2013, the FSMB Foundation has hosted its annual fundraising luncheon in conjunction with FSMB’s Annual Meeting. The funds raised from this event further the FSMB Foundation’s mission to support research and educational initiatives that strengthen, support and advance the work of the state medical board community.
6. Journal of Medical Regulation article: Exposure to Violent Threats (2013)
A final summary of the S.A.V.E. project was published in the Journal of Medical Regulation
7. Awarded Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) grants to the State Medical Board Community (2014)
In 2014, the FSMB Foundation awarded a total of 26 grants for a combined total of $250,000 to state medical boards. Funded by the ER/LA Opioid Analgesics REMS Program Companies, grant recipients used these funds to host prescriber educational programming in their respective states on extended-release and long-acting opioids.
8. Awarded Interstate Medical Licensure Compact grants (2016)
The FSMB Foundation has awarded a number of grants to support projects associated with the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The purpose of the grant program is to support the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, its Commission and state medical and osteopathic boards in their readiness to participate and implement the Compact.
9. Foundation Mini-Grants awarded (2016)
Since 2016, the FSMB Foundation has accepted small grant requests for nonprofit project funding. The FSMB Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations who conduct research and education-related projects designed to improve the quality of health care through effective physician licensure and regulation, including efforts of the state medical board community to participate in and implement the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
10. Foundation Mini-Grants and General Project Grants awarded (2017-2020)
During 2017 – 2020, the FSMB Foundation awarded 10 mini-grant and general project grants totaling $148,000 to support various educational and research efforts. Award recipients represented the state medical board community, academic medical centers, and other nonprofit organizations.