| HealthLeaders Media PhysicianLeaders - February 26, 2009 | The Manufactured Outrage over Comparative Effectiveness Research |
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The Manufactured Outrage over Comparative Effectiveness Research
Elyas Bakhtiari, Managing Editor
Many physicians believe comparative effectiveness research could improve quality and loosen the stranglehold the device and drug industries have on healthcare. In fact, it's difficult to find many doctors who consider it, in concept, a bad idea. Yet the $1.1 billion allocated to comparative effectiveness research in the economic stimulus package sparked one of the most vitriolic political debates over healthcare reform in a while. Why? [Read More] |
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February 26, 2009 |
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Editor's Picks
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How the economy is impacting physicians
One in four Americans said in a survey that someone in their family put off needed healthcare in the past year because of cost, including 16% who postponed surgery or a doctor's visit for chronic illness. In all, 53% of Americans in the Kaiser Family Foundation poll said they or a family member living with them cut back on healthcare in one or more ways to save money in the past 12 months. [Read More]
House calls making a comeback
By the early 1970s, less than 1% of doctors made house calls. But they are making a comeback now, in part because of a change in reimbursement rates, but also because of a growing movement toward concierge medicine. Although house visits are tough to pull off for doctors who already don't have enough time to spend with patients, the impact on quality can make them worthwhile. Health is tied significantly to lifestyle and personal history, and a doctor visiting a patient in his or her home environment can learn a lot of new information that helps with diagnoses or treatment suggestions. [Read
More]
Ideas for fixing healthcare
The New York Times has an interesting series of articles from healthcare experts responding to Barack Obama's calls for fixing healthcare. Contributors include Elliott S. Fisher from Dartmouth Medical School, blogger Kevin Pho, MD, Daniel Callahan, co-founder of the Hastings Center, Karen Ignagni from America's Health Insurance Plans, and Steven Findlay, analyst with Consumers Union. Check it out. [Read
More]
Difficult patients
About one in six doctors frequently see patients who appear to be dissatisfied with their care, and one in seven say patients frequently have unrealistic expectations, according to a new study. Interestingly, female and younger physicians were more likely to report high numbers of "difficult patients." Less surprising: Those with more difficult patients had higher burnout rates. Perhaps the real problem is just a breakdown in doctor-patient communication. [Read
More] |
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Business Rx
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Successful recruiting in a struggling economy
Working to address a rising physician shortage, many hospitals and physician practices are in the midst of recruiting doctors from various regions nationwide. Innovation in the recruitment process has become almost a necessity. [Read More] |
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Physician News
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Premera, Seattle doctors duking it out over payment rate
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - February 26, 2009
Surgeon awarded $1.6 million in sex bias suit against Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston Globe - February 25, 2009
Heart doctors: Rely on the evidence
USA Today - February 25, 2009
Facing doctor gap, hospitals turning to laborists to deliver babies
Boston Globe - February 24, 2009
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Audio Conferences/Webcasts
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March 20, 2009: 5 Ways to Improve the Patient Experience at Your Hospital
March 16, 2009: Solving Your Nurse Shortage: Long-Term Strategies That Work
On Demand: ED Overhaul 2009: Five Improvements to Make Today
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| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
Back to Basics
The strategy for surviving the economic downturn? Invest in core strengths, scrutinize staffing and operations, seize partnership opportunities—and get down to work. [Read More]
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| Service Line Management |
Essential and Expensive
Patient demand for intensive care services continues to rise—but ICUs cost a ton of money. Here's how some providers are making intensive care worth their financial while. [Read More]
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Resources From HealthLeaders Media
Improve patient satisfaction, CAHPS scores, and quality with the strategies and tools in Physician Entrepreneurs: The Quality Patient Experience.
Learn how to harness the power of a large organization, either by expanding the practice or partnering with hospitals, private investors, or other physician groups, with Physician Entrepreneurs: Strength in Numbers.
Read about the latest business strategies to help you grow beyond traditional practice models in Physician Entrepreneurs: Going Retail.
Start marketing your practice or refine your existing marketing program with Physician Entrepreneurs: Marketing Toolkit, a new HealthLeaders Media book that combines expert tips with marketing samples, tools, forms, and checklists that will help grow your practice. |
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