Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Primary care physicians sometimes struggle to effectively treat patients with diabetes.

Whether or not patients share cost concerns with physicians, financial issues are a growing part of healthcare decision-making. Many patients would like to talk with physicians about those costs.

Regular contact with patients is vital for successful treatment.

Primary care physicians, working in an environment where patients need to be evaluated, monitored, and motivated in short office visits, sometimes struggle to effectively treat patients with diabetes.

How to transform into a direct or concierge model

Focus on three things for a successful patient interview during a visit: what the doctor thinks the problem is, what the patient thinks the problem is, and each of their goals.

Even with time constraints, it’s possible for primary care physicians to compassionately and effectively guide patients in decreasing their weight.

There are often social factors influencing a patient’s lack of adherence. They may struggle with basic survival needs like housing and food, lack transportation, or not understand their health condition and how they can improve it.

Practices should look at joining group purchasing organizations.

Physicians’ battle to limit maintenance of certification requirements continues despite testing changes.

Despite changes this year to make the maintenance of certification (MOC) process easier on internists, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) still faces strong opposition to the program.