§ 23-87-5. Establishment of the lupus education and awareness plan (LEAP).
(a) The study commission established in this chapter shall:
(1) Analyze the current state of education on lupus in the state;
(2) Evaluate materials and resources currently available from government agencies, hospitals,
lupus advocacy organizations; and
(3) Identify gaps in the current lupus education modalities in the state through a needs
assessment or similar mechanism.
(b) Upon completing the needs assessment described in subsection (a), the study commission
shall report on the results of its assessment to the department of health and to the
general assembly. Utilizing the results of such assessment, and with input from the
committees of the general assembly, having cognizance of matters relating to public
health and the department of health, the study commission shall develop a comprehensive
lupus education and awareness plan.
(c) The study commission shall develop a comprehensive plan to improve education and awareness
surrounding lupus for healthcare practitioners, public health personnel, patients,
and persons who may have lupus. The plan shall include the recommendations on how
to best:
(1) Distribute medically sound health information produced by the Lupus Foundation of
America, Inc., the Lupus Foundation of New England and/or government agencies, including,
but not limited to, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, and the Social Security Administration, through local health departments,
schools, agencies on aging, employer wellness programs, physicians and other health
professionals, hospitals, health plans and health maintenance organizations, women's
health, and nonprofit and community-based organizations;
(2) Utilize volunteers in the community to distribute brochures and other materials that
promote lupus education and awareness;
(3) Develop educational materials for health professionals that identify the most recent
scientific and medical information and clinical applications regarding the treatment
of lupus;
(4) Work to increase knowledge among physicians, nurses, and health and human services
professionals about the importance of lupus diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation;
(5) Support continuing medical education plans in the state's leading academic institutions
by providing them the most recent scientific and medical information and clinical
applications regarding the treatment of lupus;
(6) Conduct statewide workshops and seminars for extensive professional development regarding
the care and management of patients with lupus in an effort to bring the latest information
on clinical advances to care providers; and
(7) Develop and maintain a directory of lupus-related healthcare services that includes
a listing of healthcare providers with specialization in services to diagnose and
treat lupus and that can be disseminated, within available appropriations, by the
department of health to individuals with lupus, family members of those with lupus,
representatives from voluntary organizations, healthcare professionals, health plans,
local health agencies and authorities, and to other agencies of the state.
(d) The study commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Rhode Island
department of health and to both chambers of the general assembly annually on or before
March 31 commencing in 2016. The study commission may make periodic revisions to the
plan that are consistent with the purposes of this section.