Lifestyle

Investor buzz at the Consumer Electronics Show has been focused on smartphones, 3-D TVs and slick new tablets designed to challenge the iPad, but some companies are also unveiling technologies, devices and services that some are calling "game changers" for the healthcare industry.

News that a 1998 study linking autism to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was discredited took the media by storm this week. But many parents still aren't convinced the vaccines are safe, posing a dilemma for family physicians.

The stock market is nearly double its level of March 2009, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average returning to highs not seen since the Dot-Com bubble. Investors seem upbeat and encouraged about the outlook for the U.S. economy for the first time in years. Still, not everyone is in on the fun -- and some are wondering whether they can still join in on the festivities. Is it too late? Hard to say, but here are some investments to limit your risk either way.

In the third in a series of posts on the special considerations physicians have when choosing disability insurance, we'll look at three areas that insurance salesmen tend to overlook: Whether the policy is renewable, whether there are cost-of-living adjustments; and whether there is residual disability coverage.

A faster recruitment process and incentives for moving away from cities are among the reasons why rural hospitalists earn more, according to a new survey.

The IRS has given taxpayers a three-day extension to file 2010 tax returns this year, because Emancipation Day, a Washington D.C., holiday that celebrates the freeing of slaves, falls on Friday, April 15.

EHRs and Payment Solutions

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Experts discuss strategies to help physicians move forward with health care information technology.

Two studies found that young physicians in particular, and those who are nearing the end of their careers, are at high risk for burnout. Residents surveyed reported less job satisfaction and personal support than their colleagues.

Many take 401(k) plans for granted -- they get the paperwork and choose investments without reading the fine print. But by not understanding your retirement plan, you may end up missing out on "free money," or paying more taxes than you should. Here are some examples.

Many financial advisory firms promote "client based" services, a misleading term that attempts to appeal to investors, when in reality the firms are acting in the clients' best interests one minute and in their own the next. That's why it's so important for the SEC to use its authority to place broker-dealers who provide investment advice under a fiduciary standard of care.

Medical practices are facing momentous decisions -- to join the en masse migration to become part of larger groups or corporate entities, or to remain a stand-alone small businesses. For those who choose to "fly solo," the only way you'll succeed is through intentional planning and mastering the skill of medical-practice marketing.

Starting today, physicians can register online to participate in the federal incentive program for adopting electronic health records (EHRs). Physicians can receive up to $44,000 over five years under Medicare, and up to $63,750 over six years under Medicaid.

If you've ever loaned money to a family member, you know how awkward -- even uncomfortable -- it can be. Sometimes the risk outweighs the reward. The same holds true when it comes to leading money to colleagues. If you're considering helping a junior associate out with a loan, here are some ways to protect yourself.

Did you get an iPad for Christmas this year? The device seemed to be on everyone's wish list -- including cybercriminals. Security technology firm McAfee wanrs that the iPad, and a host of other popular technologies, are under the greatest threat from cyber attacks in 2011.

5 Blizzard Money Myths

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Many believe that monster snowstorms, such as the "snowpocolypse" that hit the Eastern U.S. this week, bring with them financial opportunity. This week, personal finance website SmartMoney.com debunked five money myths involving snowstorms.

I've discussed why it's important for physicians to know the definition of "disability" when it comes to choosing the right insurance policy. Too many have too little coverage. This week, I'll tackle two more factors crucial to buying the right disability policy: How much you spend, and how much you have saved.

One in six doctors in physician-owned practices in 2008 said he or she owned or leased advanced-imaging equipment, raising concerns that physicians with a financial interest in the technology would make more referrals than necessary, according to a recent study.

One reader asks what she can do with cards she just received -- as well as some still unused from last year. Here are smart ways to repurpose your unwanted cards.

An EHR system that alerts physicians to potential problems can help enhance performance and improve the quality of care, according to findings from a new study.

Under a new Medicare rule, physicians will be reimbursed by the government for advising patients on options for end-of-life care at annual checkups beginning Jan. 1.

Medical matchmaking? Why not? At a time when physicians are looking to promote themselves and the services of their practice to a wider audience, having a chance to meet with prospective patients in a relaxed environment is an opportunity to forge new relationships. And while it might resemble, at first blush, a night of speed dating, the focus here is on healthcare.

Forget about financial resolutions. Follow this checklist of money "dos" and "don'ts" in the coming year and you'll find your finances and yourself happier, healthier and more productive in the new year.

Although many young physicians use Facebook, few say they would accept "friend" requests from patients, according to a study. Most agree that having a personal Facebook page is acceptable for doctors, as long as patient access to the account is limited.