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Editor's Picks
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No-show patients exact a daily toll
Benjamin Brewer, MD, contemplates the value of overbooking patients to avoid no-shows in this column in The Wall Street Journal. Because he runs a small, two-physician practice, he can't afford the automated telephone reminders or pre-appointment calls from a receptionist that help larger practices avoid this problem. Though no-shows affect all docs, this is just another example of the particular challenges small practices face in today's market--and another reason why these small operations are slowly dying out. [Read More]
Survey shows state of ASC reimbursement, EHR adoption
Eighty-two percent of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) don't use an electronic health record, according to a new survey. Obstacles cited by administrators were similar to those other physician organizations face: lack of personnel, capital, and compatible software. On the reimbursement side of things, ASCs are worried about reimbursement changes--42% expect decreased revenue, and many think gastroenterology services will have a negative impact. The big revenue generator looks to be orthopedic services, according to the administrators. [Read More]
UK doctors debate male-female practice styles
British physician Brian McKinstry, MD, is drawing criticism for saying the rising number of female doctors is "bad for medicine" because they are more likely to work part-time and tend to be less productive. I wrote about the growing part-time trend last week, and although the observations about productivity are accurate, I want to clarify one point: Different doesn't necessarily mean worse. Research suggests that female physicians tend to have higher patient satisfaction and are sued less often than their male counterparts. Recent changes in the physician work force come with both benefits and drawbacks, and we haven't had time to gauge the net effect on patient care and healthcare spending. [Read More]
Massachusetts healthcare roundup
There's been a lot of analysis of Massachusetts' healthcare reform efforts this week. In the New England Journal of Medicine, Sherry A. Glied, Ph.D., uses the Massachusetts plan as a jumping off point for talking about universal healthcare. The Boston Business Journal reports that the state's primary care physicians outperform their peers in offering preventive care and helping patients manage their chronic conditions. On the flip side, the New York Times says the insurance mandate is widening the gap between physician supply and patient demand. [Read More] |
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Business Rx
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Tips for saving a failed EMR project
Practices aren't always successful with electronic medical record implementation. Some have even abandoned initial attempts. To get a failed project back on track, first determine the reason for the project's collapse. [Read More] |
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Physician News
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$30 million awarded in Florida malpractice suit
South Florida Sun-Sentinel - April 8, 2008
Kansas City docs seek results by pooling resources
Kansas City Star - April 8, 2008
Doctors to provide urgent care at Baltimore-area drugstores
Baltimore Sun - April 9, 2008
On Medicare and scorned by docs
Washington Post - April 10, 2008
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Sponsored Headlines From IBM
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Healthcare 2015: Win-win or lose-lose? The current paths of many healthcare systems around the world will become unsustainable by 2015. Healthcare systems that fail to transform will likely require immediate and major forced restructuring. There is a more positive scenario that will require new levels of accountability, tough decisions and hard work.
Healthcare 2015 and U.S. health plans: New roles, new competencies: The U.S. healthcare system is on an unsustainable path. Health plan providers must help shape and lead the healthcare transformation or risk being marginalized.
In the interest of the patient: This paper explores how by collaborating and sharing data, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries can realize the full value of the information they collect--and improve patient treatments.
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| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
Your Hospital, the Entrepreneur
 Forget those fixed-income investments. Many organizations are funding early-stage healthcare ventures that can yield not only healthy financial returns, but also improved efficiencies and better quality care. [Read More]
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PhysicianLeaders Forum
The Physician Empowerment Movement: Contributor Richard L. Reece, MD, says physicians are fed up with reimbursement struggles and being left out of discussions about healthcare reform and are beginning to organize and find their collective voice. [Read More] |
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