| HealthLeaders Media PhysicianLeaders - August 9, 2007 | Buckle Up |
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Buckle Up
Rick Johnson, Senior Editor
It might sound funny, but one of the reasons I took a liking to my primary care provider is that he asked me how often I wear a seatbelt. "Not very often," I said. "Almost exclusively while driving." I found his question somewhat humorous because no physician I had in the past ever brought it up--although it is very much an appropriate topic for a healthcare provider to have with his patient. Just think if primary care physicians and pediatricians routinely asked this question throughout the 1970s and 80s, back when most drivers ignored the restraints in their cars and child safety seats were not mandatory.
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August 9, 2007 | |
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Editor's Picks
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Doctors ask for fees
This Sun-Sentinel story says some doctors are requesting that patients voluntarily pay an annual administrative fee. Isn't it tough enough to get patients to handover copays without creating another fee to ignore? [Read More]
Patients ignore referral instructions
This report in the Washington Post says that about 20 percent of patients don't follow-up on referrals. This story highlights the power of primary care doctors' influence. One source notes that patients would follow through better if PCPs took the time to explain the benefits. [Read More]
More on MS-DRGs
Last week I shared some info about the Medicare Severity DRG system. Since then, my colleague, Brian Murphy outlined the details of the new payment system that creates 745 new severity-adjusted diagnosis-related groups. [Read More]
Quarantines work
In HealthLeaders magazine, I wrote about preparing for a pandemic. This Time magazine story says that researchers at the University of Michigan found that historically cities which early on adopted quarantines fared better than other cities, with slower rates of infection and lower rates of death. [Read More] |
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Business Rx
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Should you outsource your practice's billing?
From The Doctor's Office: Nobody likes to lose money. Physicians are no exception. However, when it comes to the business of running a practice, that's just what will happen without someone who understands the often confusing ins and outs of your practice's billing system. [Read More] |
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Physician News
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Lawmaker calls for registry of drug firms paying doctors
New York Times - August 9, 2007
Doctors urged to curb reliance on beta-blockers
Boston Globe - August 9, 2007
Project offers doctors rewards
Charlotte Observer - August 9, 2007
Bill would help retain rural doctors
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society - August 9, 2007
Survey addresses relationship of EMRs to malpractice risk
Medical Records Institute, Inc. - August 9, 2007
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| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
Challenge in Carolina
 Safety-net provider. Teaching institution. Testing ground for new technology. UNC Health Care is all of these things-welcome to life as an academic medical center. [Read More]
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