American College of Physicians cancels April meeting over coronavirus concerns
Another major healthcare industry group has canceled an upcoming meeting as a result of the new coronavirus. The American College of Physicians canceled its annual scientific meeting, dubbed Internal Medicine Meeting 2020, which was originally scheduled for April 23-25 in Los Angeles.
The group cited reports from the CDC and the World Health Organization about the “rapidly escalating concerns” of COVID-19. ACP is one of many healthcare groups to cancel upcoming events, including The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the European Society of Radiology and others.
ACP is the largest medical specialty organization in the U.S., boasting 159,000 members across 145 countries.
“Internists are at the forefront of patient care, and we are committed to supporting their primary responsibility of delivering high-quality care,” said Robert McLean, MD, MACP, ACP president. “ACP is also committed to ensuring the health and safety of our meeting participants, in support of our mission, to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.”
The organization offered ACP members and other attendees a refund for canceling the event. The group also took into consideration the role of internal medicine physicians working with patients “on the front lines” in its decision making. The association further created a COVID-19 Resource Hub with curated information and a physician’s guide with a clinical overview of infection control and patient care guidance.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."