Lifestyle

Let's face it: Most of us would like to be immortal. Anything that reminds us of our own mortality is more likely to be put off than the biannual cleaning of the gutters. But there are certain things you need to confront to put your financial house in order before your time comes.

While the majority of dying patients would like their spiritual needs addressed, many physicians feel uncomfortable doing so. Is there a right way or time to bring up religion in a hospital setting? That story tops this week's PMD Critical List. Also on the list: the number of doctors leaving independent practices for hospital employment is increasing and a look at the important contributions made by the late Richard S. Ross, former dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Someday your toothbrush will notify you it's time for another cleaning. The handle of your refrigerator will measure your blood pressure. That bathroom mirror on the second floor will scan your retinas and measure your eyesight. Your car will measure drug levels via a breath test that starts the engine. But, like all things innovative, the technology will happen many years before the rules, ecosystems, business models, and human behavior conform

How will you position yourself for success in this rapidly changing healthcare environment? The question that will really determine the trajectory of your practice growth may have fallen below your radar.

Many doctors are getting the feeling that it is getting harder and harder to satisfy patients. After all, between rising co-pays, a dysfunctional system, and lousy parking, there is only so much that is under their control yet they seem to bear the brunt of complaints.

Did you know that the distance from your listing agent's office to the property you're selling can affect how long the property stays on the market? Did you know that where you live affects where you invest? Those factoids and more in this week's Take As Needed.

Generally it's to your advantage to choose a Roth account over a traditional account if you think that you'll pay higher taxes when you withdraw the money than you do now. These four methods can help you get there.

Ali El-Mohandes, MD, likes challenges. The pain management specialist with Maryland-based National Spine and Pain Centers says that once he becomes really proficient at something and his abilities are no longer being taxed, he needs to move on to something he's never done before.

Pediatricians recommend later start times for school because it helps children be more alert and ready to learn. When it comes to Operating Room start times, perhaps physicians should practice what they preach.

Chicago or New York? Pepperoni or sausage? Americans are passionate about their pizza. To slice away at the mystery, TripAdvisor recently analyzed its multitude of pizza reviews to deliver piping hot answers to where to find the best pies.

Last week's debate was the first official debate of the 2016 presidential campaign season. Unfortunately, most of the healthcare talk was little more than soundbites.

Digital health products aim to boost healthcare literacy and overall health, but in most cases their efficacy isn't backed up with clinical evidence.

When it comes to finances, there are usually two types of people: Those who seek guidance from a professional, and those who go it alone.

Don't think of your investments in terms of avoiding risks. Instead, think about how to manage that risk and use it to your advantage in your investments. Here are a few ways to do that.

Physicians in their 50s and 60s worried about retirement know that time is not on their side. There are options when time is not on your side, and one of those options is indexed universal life insurance.

Music has long been a common presence in the operating room, but some now want to ban the practice, fearful it might cause distractions. Perhaps there's a better option.

As more and more people use online crowd-sourced reviews to make purchasing decisions, some experts are asking whether such sites have a role in making healthcare decisions. That story tops this week's PMD Critical List. Also on the list: a look at physicians' mixed feelings about Medicare, and a candid look at medical residents learning to perform abortion at a time of heightened controversy.